Childminder in Gateshead

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 08/01/2015 04/06/2009

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early years provision

This inspection: 4 Previous inspection: 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 4 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 4

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This provision is inadequate

 The childminder does not maximise children's progress, because assessments are not consistently used to identify areas for development or to plan appropriate activities.  The childminder does not consistently promote the good health of children or prevent the spread of infection, particularly when wiping children's noses.  The childminder does not have an up-to-date first-aid certificate. This means that she does not have updated knowledge of how to deal with accidents and injuries to ensure children's safety within the setting.  Risk assessments are not robust. The childminder has failed to identify potential hazards, particularly when using the hob with children.

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It has the following strengths

 Children make good progress in communication and language, because the childminder listens to children and extends their language effectively.  Children are very happy in the setting. Flexible settling-in procedures mean that children settle quickly in the setting.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed all parts of the childminder's home used for childminding.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed play and learning activities and spoke to the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed regulatory documentation, including evidence of suitability for all household members, children's details, learning files and a sample of policies and procedures.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2003 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her partner in a house in Beacon Lough, Gateshead. The whole of the ground floor, a bathroom and spare bedroom on the first floor and the rear garden are used for childminding. The childminder attends a toddler group and activities at the local children's centre. She visits the shops and park on a regular basis. She collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently four children on roll, three of whom are in the early years age group and attend variable hours. The childminder operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. She is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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must:

 use observations of children to understand their level of achievement and use this information to shape learning experiences for each child

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must:

 ensure thorough risk assessments identify all possible hazards and take appropriate action to remove or minimise the risk

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must:

 ensure that a valid paediatric first-aid certificate is maintained at all times.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 ensure all necessary steps are taken to promote the good health of children and prevent the spread of infection, by ensuring that good hygiene procedures are consistently followed.

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who attend

The childminder has a reasonable understanding of where children are in their learning, because she observes children to find out what they have achieved and what they enjoy doing. She uses her observations to plan suitable activities for the children. For example, she makes play dough with children to develop their ability to use a range of tools. However, the childminder does not always use her assessments to monitor children's learning; which means that there are occasions when learning experiences are not always matched to children's changing needs or that areas of under achievement are not highlighted. As a result, all children do not make good progress, but that said children are within the typical range of development for their age. The childminder does work well with parents. Daily feedback ensures parents know what their children have been doing. An ongoing dialogue between the childminder and the parents means that areas of significant

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who attend

achievement are highlighted. She also works well with other providers and incorporates learning from the nursery into her planning.

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who attend

Children enjoy a suitable range of interesting activities across the seven areas of learning. They clearly enjoy playing with the play dough. Younger children are fully engaged as they explore different tools and cutters. The childminder has a suitable understanding of how to extend children's learning. She joins in and supports the play, labelling what children are doing. She also demonstrates how to use different tools, such as, rolling pins, in order to help children learn new skills. This helps them to focus on activities and maintain their concentration. The childminder develops and extends children's communication well. She plays alongside the children and comments on what they are doing. For example, as children use cutters, she talks about the different colours or shapes they are using. She also takes time to listen to children and engage in conversation with them, building on what they are saying. As a result, children are making good progress in their development

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who attend

The childminder has a suitable understanding of how she can support literacy and numeracy. Children enjoy looking at books; young children learn how to handle books as they look at them with the childminder. They talk about the pictures together and learn how to carefully turn the pages. She uses opportunities to promote counting; for example, when getting cups of salt and flour to make play dough. As a result, children are developing the basic skills that prepare them for the next stage in their learning. The childminder plans a suitable range of activities to support children's physical development, including their small muscle skills. Children enjoy using pencils and crayons and have time to be active throughout the day, as they go for walks or go to the park. They also enjoy playing in the childminder's garden.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children appear safe because the childminder has procedures in place to teach children how to be safe in and out of the setting. They learn how to keep themselves safe when they are outdoors and understand the need to tidy up to maintain a safe environment indoors. However, children's safety is compromised, because of weaknesses in leadership and management in relation to risk assessments and first aid. In addition, some hygiene practices do not promote the good health of children or prevent the spread of infection. For example, the childminder does not always wash her hands after blowing children's noses or prior to preparing snack. That said, the childminder does ensure the equipment is regularly cleaned and has policies in place regarding the care of sick children. Children also learn to wash their own hands before meals. The childminder promotes a healthy diet as she provides a variety of healthy meals, which includes plenty of fresh fruit and

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

vegetables. She also takes into account the individual preferences and dietary requirements of children in her care. She ensures they have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they go for walks, visit the park and go to soft play centres.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are happy in the setting and are confident within the environment. They love climbing onto the childminder's knee for a cuddle and to talk about things important to them. Children settle quickly because the childminder has flexible settling-in procedures in place. The childminder also finds out important information, such as routines and dietary information. This means that the childminder follows children's individual routines from home. The childminder demonstrates a suitable understanding of working with parents and schools to help children settle into their new classes when the time comes. She talks to children about what they can do at nursery and about the teachers in nursery. This supports children's move to school and means that children are emotionally prepared for the next stage in their learning.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children play in a homely environment. Toys and equipment are age-appropriate, reasonably varied and are generally accessible. This aids children's independence, as they are able to make some choices about their play. Children's independence is further promoted as young children attempt to pour drinks into a cup and feed themselves at mealtimes. Children also learn to play alongside other children in the childminder's home; they learn that there are times when they need to share resources. Children behave well, as they are fully engaged in the activities on offer. This helps children to manage their feelings and behaviour and to form relationships with other children.

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provision

The childminder has insufficient knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This results in a number of breaches in relation to the safeguarding and welfare requirements. The childminder does not have an up-to-date first-aid certificate. In addition, risk assessments are not robust enough to consider potential hazards during activities. For example, during cooking the childminder places children too close to the hob, putting them at risk of serious injury. These are breaches in legal requirements in relation to the Early Years Register and the Childcare Register. However, the childminder has a suitable understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse, and the procedures to follow if she had a concern about a child. In addition, she carries out periodic checks of her home and uses appropriate safety equipment, such as, safety gates, to help keep children safe.

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provision

Self-evaluation is weak. The childminder has addressed the actions from her last inspection. For instance, she now has a clear statement of procedures in place in relation to safeguarding and complaints. However, she has not maintained continuous improvement. There has been insufficient focus on the welfare requirements, which has resulted in a number of breaches in the requirements. For example, the childminder has failed to identify that her first-aid certificate expired over a year ago. In addition, although the childminder has attended training on the Early Years Foundation Stage, she has not implemented this effectively into practice. This means that assessments are not sufficiently precise. As a result, the childminder is not always able to fully identify any gaps in children's learning where further support might be needed. The childminder develops close relationships with parents. She ensures that they are kept

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provision

appropriately informed about the service she provides, as they receive key policies and procedures at the start. She also ensures they get feedback at the end of the session. The childminder demonstrates a professional relationship with the local school. She ensures that all necessary information is passed onto the school or parents. She also finds out how she can support children further in her setting.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are

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actions)

The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are

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To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

 ensure all necessary measures are taken to minimise any risks to the health or safety of the children (compulsory part of Childcare Register)  ensure that an appropriate first-aid qualification is obtained (compulsory part of Childcare Register)  ensure all necessary measures are taken to minimise any risks to the health or safety of the children (voluntary part of Childcare Register)  ensure that an appropriate first-aid qualification is obtained (voluntary part of Childcare Register).

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY262294 Local authority Gateshead Inspection number 872690 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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