Childminder in South TynesideOfsted inspection, 19 Apr 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 312396 Inspection date 19 April 2006 Inspector Jacqueline West

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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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and daughter who is 6-years-old in a house in Hebburn. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child under 5 all day and two children over 5 before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has two cats.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning about the importance of personal hygiene skills through consistent routines and positive role modelling. The childminder ensures individual children are cared for well should they become ill, a satisfactory sickness policy is in place which is discussed with the parents. The children are protected from infection of pets as the childminder has effective procedures ensuring all surfaces are clean and good hygiene is maintained. All relevant documentation with regard to health, including specific dietary needs and consent forms are in place and up to date. These positively safeguard children’s well-being. Children's well-being is enhanced through a wide variety of effectively planned opportunities for large physical play. The children have daily opportunity to test and develop their physical skills, activities include riding on scooters within the local

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Helping children to be healthy

community, splashing in puddles and exploring at the beach. The children move confidently and with increasing control for example, all the children engaged in a hide and seek activity initiated by one of the children, they used their physical ability to reach high and low and move quickly and slowly in their movements. The childminder ensures children are well nourished. The children are encouraged to make healthy choices, they are developing an understanding of healthy meals and snacks through regular discussions. Children are becoming increasingly independent in their personal care, for instance the children help to prepare a picnic tea of sandwiches. Children have access to regular drinking water.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children access a clean, warm and welcoming environment where a good standard of hygiene is maintained throughout. Children are safeguarded well as the childminder’s home is secure at all times. This is supplemented with effective procedures for adults collecting children. Regular risk assessments both indoors and out, minimise the risk of accidental injury effectively, therefore enabling children to progress well in a safe environment. The children are developing their awareness of safety when on outings for example, the childminder encourages the children to play an active role when thinking about finding a safe place to cross the road. Children access a range of well maintained stimulating resources, which are regularly checked and cleaned. The resources are stored to enable the children some opportunity to develop their independence skills. The children confidently select and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

re-select activities of their choice. The childminder has a good understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits. This results in children taking responsibility for their own actions through appropriate challenges. The children are well protected as the childminder has a secure knowledge 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 issues and the procedures to follow, however, appropriate contact numbers are not readily available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very settled and have fun. They display a strong sense of belonging. They experience a varied range of activities both inside and outside the home which contribute to their overall development for example, access to craft, cooking activities, imaginary play, visits to the local park, toddler groups and shops. The children are confident to select and initiate fun exciting activities for example, the older children decided to perform a set of magic tricks, the childminder and younger child played the part of the audience. The children performing showed increasing confidence in their abilities, they were able to share and take turns in addition to working well together negotiating who was to carry out the next trick. The younger child enjoyed being involved, she showed a real interest waiting in anticipation and clapped for the children once they had finished each performance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A positive relationship has been developed between the childminder, children and their peers. The children often approach the childminder for assistance and she is eager to become involved or supervise activities. The children benefit from a good balance of gaining independence through activities and working alone or with their peers. The children are well challenged through a range of indoor and outdoor activities. The childminder has further developed her understanding of child development through attending training. She is aware of the children's strengths and areas for improvement and plans activities accordingly for example, helping children with number recognition and using the local environment to look at different signs and letters.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder’s positive attitude to equal opportunities ensures the children have a good awareness of the wider community. This is supplemented with a variety of resources reflecting positive images of the world they live in. All children are welcomed into the setting; there is a positive attitude towards inclusion. The children's behaviour is very good. They are aware of the rules and boundaries. The children are polite and show care and concern for one another. The childminder ensures positive role modelling and consistent strategies are applied to encourage good behaviour. Behaviour management is discussed and agreed with the parents. Children feel a sense of belonging due to the childminder’s friendly and approachable disposition. Effective partnership with parents ensures individual needs are met well, which

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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 promotes stability. Children's individual needs are recorded at the beginning of the placement and are regularly reviewed to ensure their well-being. Parents are informed daily of the types of activities the children have enjoyed, in addition they are provided with the children's work and evidence of activities through photographs. The childminder is beginning to formulate a number of written policies to further inform parents of the practices in place. The available policies reflect the practice well.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her time effectively to meet the needs of the range of children for example, there is a good balance of indoor and outdoor play to extend learning. The children have the opportunity to discuss and plan outings of interest. The flexible routine incorporates time for quiet play and rest, enhancing children’s well-being. The children benefit greatly from a motivated and caring childminder who has a good understanding of children’s individual needs. The childminder’s ongoing commitment to training has a positive impact on the quality of care provided. She shows a raised awareness of the effect of activities and experiences on children’s overall development. Policies and procedures are reviewed regularly and individual documentation stored confidentially. This positively contributes to children’s overall well-being. The childminder has not kept Ofsted informed of all changes.

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Organisation

Overall, the needs of the children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to obtain written permission from the parents to administer medication. This has been completed which ensures children's well-being.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets 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 further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • inform ofsted of any changes or significant events.

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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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