Childminder in North Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY312131 Inspection date 16 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 2005. She lives with her husband and daughter aged 18 months at their home in Percy Main, North Shields in Tyne and Wear. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children aged under 8 years and currently there are 4 children on roll. Minded children have access to the ground floor lounge and kitchen-diner, a first floor bedroom and bathroom and the rear garden. The premises are within walking distance of local bus and metro routes, toddler group, playgroup, local nurseries and

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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 schools and local shops. A leisure centre, parks and the library can be reached by a short bus or car journey. The childminder is a member of the National Childminder's Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children have very good opportunities to learn about how to stay healthy and how to develop good personal hygiene habits through following the childminder's positive example and her excellent hygiene routines. The childminder gives children clear explanations about good personal hygiene habits and the children are able to explain in simple terms how these habits help to keep them healthy. They learn to wash their hands before eating or cooking and after outdoor play or using the toilet and to clean their teeth after meals. Children's health is very well protected through the childminder's excellent hygiene maintenance arrangements and very effective arrangements to prevent the spread of infection. Comprehensive policies about caring for sick children, infectious diseases and dealing with medical emergencies are shared with parents. Children's health is further promoted by very detailed, well organised record keeping arrangements which

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Helping children to be healthy

enable the childminder to effectively address any individual health needs the children may have. The childminder is knowledgeable about healthy eating and provides the children with very good opportunities to learn about healthy eating and drinking. Children are able to explain in simple terms which foods and drinks are healthy and which foods to avoid and why. Children have regular access to a variety of drinks and are encouraged to drink water. Children are provided with a balanced, healthy diet including a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables and which takes into account their individual needs and preferences. Children enjoy mealtimes when they sit together and interact socially with each other and the childminder. Children's health is further promoted by having access to a wide range of excellent opportunities to exercise and develop their body awareness, such as visits to soft play, leisure centres and parks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming, comfortable and well maintained home. The home is very well organised and children can move around freely and safely. Children are able to easily reach all the facilities and play resources they need independently. Children can choose with minimal adult intervention from a wide range of good

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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 quality, age appropriate play resources and equipment. The childminder encourages all children to play with all toys and join in all activities where developmentally appropriate. The childminder has good resource maintenance procedures which ensure children's toys and equipment are safe and hygienic for their use. Children's safety is promoted through the childminder's vigilance, her generally good level of safety awareness and detailed health and safety and fire evacuation policies. She uses a range of appropriate safety equipment and measures to minimise the hazards children are exposed to. However, some dangerous items in the bathroom are accessible to children. She routinely gives children clear explanations about how to stay safe in the house, outdoors and when crossing roads. Children are able to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

explain how to cross the road when the 'green man' signal comes on at the crossing. Children's welfare is protected by the childminder's sound knowledge and good understanding of child protection issues and procedures. The childminder has the local Area Child Protection Committee guidelines and the government booklet 'What to do if you think a child is being abused'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children have very good relationships with the childminder and are confident and very relaxed in her company. The childminder interacts with them in a warm, friendly manner. She talks to and listens to them enthusiastically about their interests and activities. The childminder plans good daily and weekly routines which give the children many opportunities to choose their own activities. They also take part in structured play with the childminder, have quiet periods as needed and play outdoors. The childminder includes elements from the 'Birth to three' child development programme in her activity plans. Children can choose independently from a wide range of easily accessible, good quality, developmentally appropriate play resources. The childminder also offers structured activities with her support, for example, the children spent some time making model windmills with the childminder. The childminder has a good knowledge

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of the children's interests, differing abilities and differing concentration spans. This enables her to tailor activities to match these so that all the children can take part at their own level. The childminder joins in the children's play, such as action rhymes. Children participate with the childminder in 'Row, row, row your boat...' with great gusto and are able to sing the words with obvious familiarity. The childminder encourages the children to play together and include the baby where appropriate. During a treasure basket activity with natural objects, the older child gleefully shares and entertains the two younger children with the basket contents until all three children are very happy and helplessly laughing and giggling together. The childminder regularly shares books with the children from a wide range including 'big books'. The children choose a favourite book which they read together with the childminder and join in

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 enthusiastically with the familiar refrain. Children have opportunities to take part in many other good play and learning activities. Children can participate in singing and dancing and use early learning games including number, letter, colour and shape recognition on a laptop computer. They bake with the childminder and take part in various outings, such as visits to the library, the park and soft play facilities. This variety of well chosen activities enables the children to develop their imagination and creativity and practice all their developing skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder uses the information she collects about the children to build up good relationships with them and effectively address their individual needs. The childminder has attended a recent National Childminding Association workshop on disability and discrimination. This has helped her to promote equality of opportunity and help raise the children's awareness of and respect for differences. She has a good supply of equal opportunity play resources, such as books, dolls, small world figures and role play costumes. She uses these and trips out into the local community to help children to learn about their own community and the wider world. The childminder watches appropriate television programmes with the children and talks with them positively about what they see. This helps them develop their understanding of race, culture and disability. Children behave very well and have very good relationships with the childminder. The

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder shares her behaviour management policy with parents and finds out about how they manage their children's behaviour. Where it is age appropriate she talks to children about her behaviour expectations and basic house rules. As a result, she is able to ensure that children's behaviour is managed consistently and that the children are aware of reasonable behaviour boundaries. The childminder acts as a good role model by treating the children respectfully. She praises their efforts and thanks them for their help. She uses positive behaviour management methods which are well matched to the children's level of maturity, for example, distraction and reasoning. The childminder encourages the children to learn about controlling their behaviour and being considerate to others. She gives them clear explanations about acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. As a result, the children play well together and share

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Helping children make a positive contribution

co-operate with each other and thereby avoid conflict. The childminder has good settling in arrangements for children, such as introductory visits in consultation with their parents. The childminder employs effective methods to ensure children are cared for according to parental wishes. She keeps very detailed records of information obtained from parents and complies with their advice. The childminder has good arrangements for promoting children's care and ensuring parents are kept well informed about their children's progress. She gives parents regular verbal reports, 'Birth to three' activity plans for babies and toddlers and access to a range of clear, comprehensive policies.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children's welfare is protected by the childminder attending the relevant Childminding and First Aid courses and taking the necessary precautions to ensure the suitability of any persons in contact with the children. The childminder is well organised but for the significant exception that she does not fully understand the requirements of her registration. Therefore, she fails to meet the condition of registration in National Standard 2, regarding the numbers of children she may mind at any one time. As a result, overall, the provision is inadequate and does not meet the needs of the children cared for. Space, resources and routines are well organised to ensure children have easy access to the facilities and equipment they need. They can move around safely in the home environment and take part in a range of appropriate activities including structured, supervised play, free play, mealtimes, quiet times and outdoor activities.

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Organisation

Detailed, well organised record keeping underpins the quality of children's care and ensures the provision supports children's individual needs. All relevant documentation is in place and good security measures are observed to protect children's confidentiality. Parents are kept well informed about their children's care and have access to a comprehensive range of policies.

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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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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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: • ensure that the condition of registration regarding numbers and ages of children who may be cared for is complied with at all times. 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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