Childminder in Northumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 507060 Inspection date 10 March 2006 Inspector Elaine Steedman

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1997. Children are cared for at her terraced home in Ashington, Northumberland. They have access to the ground floor lounge, dining room and bathroom and the rear garden. The premises are within walking distance of local bus and metro routes, toddler group, playgroup, local nurseries and schools, local shops, a leisure centre, parks and the library. The childminder lives with her partner who acts as an occasional childcare assistant.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children aged under 8 years and currently there are 13 children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children's health and well-being is promoted through regular daily routines which help them to understand about being healthy. Children have opportunities to learn about good personal hygiene through the positive role model the childminder provides. Children are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet, playing outdoors and before eating or cooking. Children's individual health requirements are provided for by the childminder discussing them with parents and recording them. Children's special dietary needs are met and the childminder has procedures to protect children who may be at risk due to allergies. Children are protected from cross-infection through the childminder sharing with parents a clear policy regarding the exclusion of sick children. Relevant records are kept regarding accidents and the administration of medication. However, children's health is compromised because the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder does not have a current first aid qualification. Children are helped to learn about healthy eating from discussion with the childminder and are regularly offered fruit and vegetables. Children are provided with a variety of light, healthy teas and snacks and have access to drinking water, milk and juices. Children enjoy sociable mealtimes when they sit at the table together with the childminder. Children take part in a range of activities that further contribute to their good health and aid their physical development through daily walks, visits to the park and outdoor play in the yard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a secure, organised, well maintained home that enables them to move around safely and independently. The childminder's close supervision, appropriate use of safety equipment and generally good attention to safety both indoors and outdoors ensures risks to children's safety are satisfactorily minimised. However, smoke alarms are not fitted on all floor levels, thereby, compromising children's safety. Children have opportunities to learn about staying safe both indoors and outdoors through discussions with the childminder about dangers and road safety. Play resources are well maintained so that they are clean and safe for children to use. They are easily accessible to the children and are stored safely enabling children to choose play resources and activities safely and independently. Children's welfare is protected through the childminder's basic understanding of child

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 protection procedures. However, her understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse remains limited.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy, well settled and have good relationships with the childminder. They confidently move around their environment, selecting activities of their choice. The childminder shows a genuine interest in the children. She listens and talks to them and encourages them to interact together in a positive manner. The children have appropriate opportunities to learn and develop from the wide range of activities the childminder provides. Children benefit from the childminder's awareness and encouragement of their preferences. They enjoy their play and take part in a variety of activities, such as art and craft activities and games, described by the children as their 'favourites'. For example, children enjoy and become totally absorbed in their activity whilst using a variety of tools and materials to make cards and collages. They proudly display these to the childminder on completion. The childminder takes time to join in with the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children's activities, for example, when other children depart leaving one child alone, the childminder used her knowledge of the child's 'favourites' to play games. The child joined in enthusiastically with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children benefit from the childminder's positive attitude towards equal opportunities and respect for individual and differing needs. All children are welcome and have equal access to the play and learning opportunities on offer. Children learn about their own community and the wider world through their play resources and outings in their local community. Children have access to a limited selection of positive images of diversity. The children have a good relationship with the childminder, behave well and interact with each other and the childminder in a warm and friendly way. The childminder provides a good role model and shows a genuine interest in the children. She uses good methods of behaviour management to help the children to understand the basic rules of the setting. The childminder and the children together have designed and displayed their own house rules and the children have taken on responsibility for

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Helping children make a positive contribution

maintaining them. The childminder listens to the children and praises and encourages them. She intervenes with reasoning, persuasion and clear explanations where needed. As a result the children learn to play well together, take account of the needs of others and share and co-operate with each other and thus avoid conflict. The childminder has satisfactory arrangements in place to keep parents informed about their children, their activities and their progress. The childminder has positive relationships with parents and works with them to promote their children's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Parents are made welcome in the childminder's home and the childminder exchanges information with them on a daily basis to ensure their children's individual needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children are relaxed and confident in the setting due to clear routines organised by the childminder, which enable children to take part in a wide range of opportunities for free play, structured activities, outdoor activities, quiet times and mealtimes. Documentation is well organised and securely stored to protect children's confidentiality. The childminder keeps parents informed about their children's care by sharing a range of clear, written policies with them. The childminder, however, does not have a clear understanding of all the National Standards. She has not renewed her first aid qualification, thereby, compromising children's welfare. Overall, therefore, the provision does not meet the needs of the children cared for.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made regarding the improvement of safety, documentation, the protection of children's welfare and the supply of equal opportunity resources. Children now benefit from plastic bags and drains not being accessible to them, however, smoke alarms are not fitted on all floor levels. Children now benefit from the childminder holding written parental consent for emergency medical treatment. Some improvement has been made regarding the childminder's understanding of child protection issues. Some resources have been obtained to reflect different backgrounds.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care, the registered person must take the following actions: • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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