Childminder in Sunderland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY312313 Inspection date 04 July 2006 Inspector Cathryn Parry

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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 registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and four, in the residential area of Sunderland in Tyne and Wear. The whole of the childminder's house, except for the lounge and the main bedroom, are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She walks to local schools to take and collect children, and attends the local parent and toddler group.

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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 adequately nourished as the childminder provides regular meals and snacks. Parent's wishes are met, as they are given the option to provide their children's food. Youngsters are regularly offered drinks, and are encouraged to help themselves to their own bottle or beaker, which promotes self-help skills. Children access regular opportunities for physical play, including visits to a soft play area. The childminder's knowledge of individual children ensures there are times for quiet play and rest, for example, when walking with the child in her buggy. Children are learning reasonable personal hygiene practices, through appropriate routines and positive role modelling. Good relationships with parents and relevant training ensure individual children are cared for well should they become ill, reducing the risk of cross infection. Most relevant documentation with regard to health,

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Helping children to be healthy

including specific dietary needs and consent forms are in place and up to date. These positively safeguard children’s well-being. However, there are no consent forms for emergency medical consent, which has a negative impact on children's welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of how children are appropriately safeguarded, as her home and back garden are secure at all times. This is supplemented with appropriate procedures for adults collecting children. They are able to explore safely using very clean and well maintained resources. Those who go on outings are kept safe, as the childminder supervises them closely and uses age appropriate restraints. She encourages children to start to take responsibility for, and be aware of their own safety, for example, when discussing how to cross the road. All safety equipment is in place reducing the risk of accidents. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children’s choice of toys, to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their ages and stages of development. An example of this is removing resources with small parts, to reduce the risk of younger children choking.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

She has attended relevant child protection training and demonstrates a sound understanding of associated issues. This ensures children are well protected. Appropriate documentation contributes to children’s safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are happy to participate in the variety of activities provided. A short induction period, including visits with parents,

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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 enables children to settle into the new environment. Individual children make progress as the childminder ensures she has a reasonable knowledge of their likes and dislikes when they start. An appropriate balance of child centred and adult led experiences ensures suitable challenge for their age and stage of development. Use is made of the local area giving children a breadth of opportunities, for example, visits to the library and the beach. The childminder was observed interacting well with the baby, encouraging communication skills. A wide range of resources encourage children to fully participate. However, the childminder does not currently provide creative activities for younger children, which has a negative impact on their development in this area. Children have opportunities to use their imagination, including dressing up and using

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the play kitchen. Their independence is developing, as they are encouraged to feed themselves from a young age.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well settled in the friendly and welcoming environment. This is partly due to the childminder's approachable disposition. They are learning right from wrong and are starting to take responsibility for their own actions, for example, not to touch the video recorder. Children make independent decisions, including which toys they want to play with. Their confidence and self-esteem are raised through consistent praise and encouragement. The childminder’s confident approach to equal opportunities actively contributes to children’s positive attitudes to the wider community. However, there are very few resources to compliment this, which has a negative impact on raising children's awareness and understanding of difference. Good relationships with parents are beneficial to the continuity of care that the children receive. This is enhanced with written daily diaries, recording what has happened in the childminding day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Appropriate behaviour management strategies and suitable support, encourages children to behave well and have good manners.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children’s play opportunities are enhanced through the appropriate organisation of space, time and resources. Indoor space and furniture are suitably organised enabling children to move freely. The flexible use of time enables children to visit the local parent and toddler group, which encourages their social skills. Resources are set out so that all children have independent access, prompting free choice and independence. The childminder’s commitment to training has a positive impact on the quality of care provided. She has recently attended training on the Birth to three matters framework and is starting to implement this positively. Relevant documentation is in place and

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 stored confidentially to ensure children's privacy is maintained. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure written consent is gained from parents or carers for emergency medical treatment • develop creative activities for younger children • develop equal opportunities resources.

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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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