Childminder in North Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY319537 Inspection date 19 July 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 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 became registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and son aged nine years at their home in Burradon, on the outskirts of Newcastle on Tyne. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years. There are currently three children on roll, of whom two are aged under eight years. Minded children have access to a ground floor lounge, dining room, kitchen and bathroom. The rear garden is used for outdoor play. The premises are within walking distance of bus routes, toddler groups, playgroups, nurseries and schools, shops,

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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 parks, a community centre and the library. The childminder makes use of local facilities and children take part in walks around the local area and outings to parks, the library, the duck pond and children's toddler groups and drop in sessions. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children follow good personal hygiene routines. They have good opportunities through discussion with the childminder, to learn why it is important to develop good personal hygiene habits. They learn to wash their hands after using the toilet, before eating or handling food and after outdoor or messy play. The childminder maintains a non-smoking environment and her good maintenance arrangements ensure the environment is clean and hygienic. She employs effective strategies to prevent the spread of infection, for example, by observing incubation periods for infectious diseases. Well organised health records are kept up to date and enable the childminder to effectively keep parents informed about their child's well-being and cater for children's individual health needs. The childminder has a good understanding of healthy diets and children's nutritional needs. Children have opportunities to learn about the benefits of a healthy diet, such

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Helping children to be healthy

as the childminder discussing healthy eating with them. The childminder supervises meals provided by parents and provides cool storage for them. Children are actively encouraged to drink water and are provided with a variety of healthy snacks including fresh fruit. The childminder takes into account children's individual needs and preferences. Children's health is further promoted by having good opportunities to exercise in the fresh air and develop their body awareness. Children play with outdoor toys which encourage their physical development and participate in a wide range of outdoor activities, for example, playing in the garden, local walks and regular outings.

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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 and very comfortable home. The home is well organised for childcare and children can move around safely. Regular, effective maintenance ensures children's toys and equipment are safe for their use. Children's safety is well promoted through the childminder's vigilance, good awareness of safety issues and effective supervision. Safety equipment is used effectively, for example, a safety gate prevents children's access to the kitchen. The childminder has good safety procedures in place which effectively minimise hazards. Children have good opportunities to learn about dangers and how to stay safe through discussion with the childminder, for example, children learn about crossing

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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 roads safely and about safety in the kitchen when hot food is being prepared. Children's welfare is well protected by the childminder's good understanding of child protection issues, however, the childminder's knowledge and understanding about dealing with children making disclosures requires further development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of child development. She matches play activities and toys very well to children's learning needs. For example, providing picture posters and items for a child to practise counting and using jigsaw activities to talk about colour, size, shape, position and objects. Children are able to choose independently from a wide range of appropriate, good quality, stimulating toys and activities, such as books, games, jigsaws, construction toys and small world imaginative toys. Children enjoy a wide range of art and craft activities. For example, drawing, cutting, using a variety of collage materials, model making and puppet making. Children's work is well displayed and children proudly show off their creations. Children enjoy a wide range of regular outdoor activities, for example, playing in the garden with balls, bats, watering cans and wheeled toys. Children take part in regular

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

walks and a variety of outings including visits to parks, the library, the duck pond, toddler groups and drop in centres. Children are encouraged to develop their social skills through playing with other children, sharing toys and taking turns. Children are very happy in their play and have many good opportunities to develop their imagination and practise their developing skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder welcomes all children and respects their differing needs. She uses the information she collects about each child to effectively address their individual needs. Children have access to all play resources and equipment and are enthusiastically encouraged in their choices. Children are helped to develop self-esteem and to learn to respect others through discussions with the childminder. Children learn about their own community through a variety of local outings, however, resources about diversity and the wider world are very limited. Children have excellent relationships with the childminder and behave very well. The childminder is relaxed warm and very affectionate towards children and children respond likewise. The childminder acts as a positive role model, enthusiastically praising children's efforts and treating them respectfully. She successfully uses developmentally appropriate strategies, such as positive praise, to manage children's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

behaviour. Children learn about reasonable behaviour boundaries and to be caring and kind towards others.

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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 are very well settled, very happy and enjoy being with the childminder, for example, children actively seek her participation in their play. The childminder is very attentive to the children. The childminder has very good arrangements for promoting children's care, such as children's introductory visits with their parents. She works very closely with parents, has very positive relationships with them and communicates with them regularly about their children. For example, through daily verbal chats and displays of their children's work.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides. The childminder has completed the required training and children benefit from the childminder's recent attendance on extra training in food hygiene and managing children's behaviour. Children's needs are well supported by the childminder's good organisation of space, resources and routines. Children have easy access to the facilities and equipment they need and the childminder takes their wishes into account when planning activities. Very good systems are in place for maintaining records. All the required records are held, are very well organised, are up to date and are shared with parents. Parents are kept well informed about their children, for example, the childminder gives parents a detailed verbal report when they collect their child. Good security measures are observed to protect confidentiality.

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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 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

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): • further develop understanding of child protection procedures • further develop opportunities for children to have access to play resources which show positive images of diversity.

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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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