Childminder in North Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

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310001 Unique Reference Number 26 April 2006 Inspection date Jacqueline West Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 good. 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 1994. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and 15 years. They live in a detached house in North Shields near to shops, parks, schools, nurseries and public transport links. 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.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 5 children under 5 years on alternate days and 3 children over 5 years 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 have no pets.

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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 outstanding. Children flourish as they have excellent opportunities for large physical play. They have regular planned outdoor activities in the garden offering appropriate challenge, such as access to different sized slides, swings and balls. Additional outings to further enhance children's well-being include regular walks to the soft play, playgroup and local parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are first class systems in place to ensure children are effectively cared for when ill. For example, the children are made comfortable and the parents are contacted to discuss the best arrangements for the child and other children present. This reduces the risk of the spread of infection. All children personal hygiene skills are significantly enhanced through positive role modelling, animated conversation and good organisation of resources. The children have their own individual towels and face cloths which are easily accessible, in addition the children are able to wash independently as the towels are marked with individual symbols.

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Helping children to be healthy

All children's individual needs are recognised extremely well. The childminder acts promptly to ensure they do not become distressed, for example, if they are becoming tired she makes arrangements for quiet time. Each child has their own individual sleeping or rest patterns and comforters. During this time a calm, relaxing environment is created, the areas are dimmed and soft soothing music is played.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing a sound knowledge of healthy food options. The childminder plans a variety of activities to promote healthy living, such as discussing and cutting fruit and vegetables to either enjoy as a snack or in preparation for a meal. The childminder's extremely good understanding of child development ensures that she recognises the importance of such activities, not only to promote healthy choices but enabling children to further develop their physical skills and confidence when cutting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. All children progress very well in a safe, secure and particularly clean environment. The childminder’s home is secure at all times. This is supplemented with effective procedures for adults collecting children. Risks have been identified and minimised and there is good effective procedures in place to keep children safe. All children develop a high level of awareness of keeping safe through every day practical activities, such as the safe rules when using cutting tools. In addition a fire evacuation plan is displayed and regularly practised with the children. They are provided with different scenarios of how to get out of the house safely, for example, to crawl to the front door.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to an outstanding range of high quality resources including an abundance of books to effectively stimulate the children's language skills. The exceptional organisation of the resources enables children access to a vibrant, stimulating environment that effectively challenges children's overall development. The children are involved in organising their

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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 environment, allowing them to consider safety aspects, for example, when tidying away. The children are becoming increasingly independent when selecting activities, in addition to having the confidence to recall on activities they would like from the playroom.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are well protected as the childminder has attended relevant child protection training and demonstrates a sound understanding of the procedures to follow. She has all appropriate documentation readily available and ensures confidentiality is maintained at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. All children are extremely settled, they benefit from a rich, varied and stimulating environment. The children are involved in an exceptional range of activities which effectively support each child's individual learning and development, such as creative play, group activities, large physical play and quiet time. There is excellent interaction between all. The children are very confident and happy to explore the environment. The childminder effectively questions the children to help them think. For example, the children were involved in a group activity of gluing and sticking, they confidently named colours and the childminder took it a step further by asking what is yellow outside, a child responded saying 'the sun'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are animated and highly motivated. They are very enthusiastic, excited and eager to learn, participating in activities suggested by the childminder. The children also enjoy playing independently, for example, a child was observed being completely immersed in his imaginative world when looking through a large story book. Children’s communication skills are fostered through various activities including songs and rhymes, musical activities and books, resulting in very competent speakers and listeners.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates an extremely good understanding of child development and how children learn. Resulting in all children having raised levels of concentration and improved independence through an excellent balance of child centred and adult led activities. They have access to a wide selection of resources on the ground floor level and are able to alternate with those stored in low-level shelves in the playroom.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The children have developed a strong sense of belonging, they are very settled and secure showing firm feelings of trust due to the childminder's caring approach. Children's independence is nurtured resulting in confident children. All children are valued extremely well as individuals and are provided with ongoing opportunities to develop at their own pace. The childminder demonstrates an excellent awareness of equal opportunities resulting in the children having a raised awareness of the wider world. Their knowledge is increased through a variety of fruitful activities, such as tasting activities, visits in the community and dressing up. As part of the everyday resources children have access to an abundance of very good quality resources to promote positive images.

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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 Children's behaviour is very good, they consistently display good manners saying please, thank you and pardon. Children are learning to share and take turns well through the childminder’s appropriate support, for example, when involved in a group game the children waited for their turn. The childminder is an exceptional role model. Children benefit from continual praise and encouragement which increases individual children's self-esteem and effectively manages their behaviour. Consistent encouragement of positive strategies, for example, distraction, talking and explaining to the children, ensures they are developing a good knowledge of what is right and wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Excellent relationships with parents are highly beneficial to the continuity of high quality care that the children receive. This has a positive impact on children’s overall well-being. Detailed information is shared with parents daily, confirming strong links between home and the childminding environment. Parents are provided with clear, well written information about the service which reflects the setting. Positive responses were received from parents regarding the excellent high standards in place and the professionalism of the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s play opportunities are maximised through the effective organisation of space, time and resources, this positively contributes to children’s overall well-being. Attractively set out resources and activities encourage participation and inspire children to play and have fun.

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Organisation

The children benefit greatly from a highly motivated and caring childminder. She demonstrates an excellent understanding of children’s individual needs. Children are provided with a range of experiences that have a significantly positive impact on the quality of care provided.

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Organisation

Documentation for each child is organised well and stored confidentially. There are some written policies in place to reflect the setting, however, this could be developed to further enhance the provision and effectively reflect the high quality of the care provided.

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Organisation

Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to ensure that written records of medication are up to date and contact numbers are available for social services or police if concerned about a child. Both recommendations have been completed having a positive impact when ensuring 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.

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Complaints 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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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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 good. 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • review the written documentation to reflect the high quality care provided.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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