Childminder in Newcastle upon TyneOfsted inspection, 4 Aug 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY295712 Inspection date 04 August 2005 Inspector Karen Ling

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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?

Angela Sinclair has been registered since October 2004. She shares her home with her husband and two children aged three and eight years. They live in a semi detached house in Kenton, which is close to transport links. The whole of the ground floor, one bedroom and upstairs toilet are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family have a cat. The childminder attends a local childminder drop in centre and also uses the local park, library and soft play centre.

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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 good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities that contribute to their good health. The variety of indoor and outdoor play, along with regular visits to the local soft play centre, helps them develop large and small muscle movements. They develop control of their bodies for example, as they use the trampoline, swings and other activities on offer to them in the childminder's garden. Younger children join in the activities enthusiastically because the childminder has a good understanding of Birth to three matters and appropriate types of activities. She gives good levels of support. This enables them to try out new skills, such as using paintbrushes and crayons. Very young children make attempts to manoeuvre themselves around their safe environment. Children are cared for in a warm, well maintained home where they can learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Older children know that they need to

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Helping children to be healthy

wash their hands after handling the cat and using the toilet. Younger children follow good hygiene routines because of the good role model the childminder sets. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. Older children help themselves, while younger ones are offered drinking water and juice throughout the day. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and children's choices and shows a high level of awareness of providing nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to children and meet their dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in the childminder's welcoming and secure home where risks are identified and minimized. Much hard work has gone into making the garden a safe and fun place to be, though the lack of drain covers present a potential hazard. This means that in the main children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The environment is bright and stimulating and children's art work and colourful posters are displayed effectively. Children independently access a wide range of toys and equipment that are well maintained and of good quality. The childminder has all the required procedures in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. She practises emergency evacuation with the children and most fire safety requirements are met. The house does not currently have a smoke detector on every

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

floor. The childminder has a secure understanding of child protection in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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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 The provision is good. Children arrive confidently and settle well at the childminder's home. They make themselves at ease and happily engage in a range of indoor and outdoor activities that effectively encourage their development. The childminder develops friendly relationships with the children and they respond positively to her. They relate well to each other and younger children socialise with other children for example, through regular attendance at the local childminder drop in centre. Children become independent as they choose between a variety of books and toys that appeal to all. They also enjoy visits to the library where they choose additional books. The childminder uses the Birth to three matters framework to adapt activities such as mark making, singing and stories to promote younger children's learning. The

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder plans weekly schedules to ensure that all children are cared for according to their needs. All children spend time purposefully, exploring a wide range of activities that contribute to their creativity, such as painting and playing instruments. Older children enjoy small world play, such as making up games with their dolls, while younger ones enjoy the stimulus of sensory toys. All children are able to enjoy a variety of active or quiet activities according to their own choice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Relationships between the children and the childminder are good. The friendly approach helps children to settle and feel at ease within the childminder's home. They confidently decide what they would like to do and have time to be active or relax. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Children learn about their local community as they visit places of interest, such as the library and the soft play centre. The childminder follows routines to meet the needs of very young children, such as rest and feed times, planning the time well to accommodate the differing needs of the children. Children's self-esteem and confidence is nurtured well because the childminder gives consistent reassurance and encouragement. For example, during a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

painting activity, she discussed and gave examples and suggestions of how they could develop their paintings. Children show care and concern for each other for example older children make an effort to talk with younger ones, and older children play well together. Children's behaviour is good. Good relationships exist with parents and the childminder has a range of written information and procedures for parents on how she manages the provision. Regular verbal exchange together with children's diaries, which the childminder completes, also help to keep parents informed about their child.

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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 Children feel at ease within the well organized environment. This means that they are confident for example, as they initiate their own play and make suggestions for activities. The childminder is well organized. She plans ahead to ensure that she has the necessary resources for activities and children enjoy these well planned activities. Documentation and records are well organized and shared with parents confidentially. The childminder reflects on her own practice which in turn informs and develops practice. Children's welfare, care and development is promoted well because policies and procedures are used effectively. This means that overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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): • ensure smoke alarms are installed at every level of the house and maintained in working condition • ensure that drains in the rear garden are made safe.

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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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