Childminder in Sunderland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY296535 Inspection date 04 August 2005 Inspector Janet Fairhurst

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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 has been registered since 2004. She lives with her husband and their three children aged five months, six and eight years. They live in Penshaw Village situated on the outskirts of Washington. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear yard available for outside play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under two and two children before and after school. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children and regularly attends the local carer and

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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 toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are developing their physical skills with a range of suitable activities both inside and outdoors. They enjoy daily outings to local parks where they have opportunities to run, climb and play group games, which helps them to stay fit and healthy. The childminder ensures she has most of the appropriate documentation to support children's health needs, however, permission has not been gained to seek emergency medical advice and treatment. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of basic first aid but she does not hold a current first aid certificate. However, a date for this training has been arranged. Children are developing appropriate hygiene routines through the childminder's good standards of hygiene. For example, children know why it is important to wash their hands before eating and after activities. School age children are learning about healthy eating from the satisfactory range of snack foods provided by the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder, which include fresh fruit and yoghurts. Regular drinks are offered to the younger children, whilst the older children are encouraged to ask when they require a drink. Suitable systems ensure meals provided by parents are appropriately stored and prepared. As a result children are offered foods suited to their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children enjoy a safe and secure environment because the childminder is vigilant and aware of the potential hazards. Children display a confidence and familiarity within the home as they know where things are kept. All necessary equipment is in place and the children can move around safely, freely and independently. Children are developing an awareness of safety, as the childminder explains boundaries for behaviour when playing indoors. For example, they know not to run or throw toys. The childminder has a satisfactory range of toys and play materials that are kept clean and maintained in good condition. Children's independence and self-help skills are promoted well as they access the toys easily. She monitors children's choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their ages and stage of development. Sound procedures are in place to safe guard children, for example the childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

has appropriate consent for outings from parents. The children are well supervised both indoors and on outings, which means they can develop their independence in a secure and safe environment. The childminder explains safety rules to older children to help them develop an understanding of danger. For example, she explains that they need to hold hands or stay close to an adult when they are outside. There is an emergency evacuation procedure, although this is not practised sufficiently to ensure

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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 that all children are familiar with it. Children's welfare is protected through the childminder's sound knowledge of child protection and who to contact if concerns are raised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children arrive happy and settle quickly, encouraged by the childminder's warm greeting and cuddles. The childminder organises consistent routines through the day so that children have times for rest and quiet as well as active games. They build positive relationships with the childminder and respond warmly to her. The childminder is aware of and responsive to their needs, for example their favourite toys and activities. The children are suitably supported and receive encouragement and praise from the childminder, which raises their self esteem. They are inquisitive and their independence skills are developing appropriately. For example, they are able to self select activities easily from an acceptable variety of resources, which they do with increasing confidence. However, children have few opportunities to access natural play resources. This narrows the scope especially for very young children to develop

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their senses of smell, touch and taste. Younger children are taken to a carer and toddler group, providing opportunities for peer group interaction. Visits to local parks enable all children to increase their knowledge and understanding of the local environment and enhance their physical development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder currently supports children's learning about the wider world mainly through conversation. However, the resources provided by the childminder do not include sufficient playthings to raise children's awareness or stimulate children's discussion about cultural diversity or disability. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder has records that provide required detail on children's needs and health issues and she has a good awareness of activities they enjoy. This enables her to meet their individual needs effectively when planning activities, preparing meals and when caring for them. Children are generally well behaved. Clear boundaries have been set by the childminder that children are aware of, such as eating snacks at the table, sharing toys and taking turns. Children benefit from the childminder's positive relationship with parents. The

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder talks to parents each day about their children so that they can exchange appropriate information. She is hoping to develop this further with the introduction of daily diaries for the very young children. She gains appropriate information about the

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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 when they first attend and she has written agreements in place with parents. This ensures that she is aware of and is able to meet children's individual needs. The childminder is keen to develop written policies that will provide parents with clear information about the service she offers and help to contribute to the continuity in the children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The premises are well organised, ensuring the children feel safe and at ease. Children move freely from room to room under the childminder's supervision. This means there are confident to initiate and extend their play and learning. The childminder has a sound understanding of the need to maintain records. The required paperwork is organised appropriately and used well to promote the welfare of the children. Registers and records meet all regulatory requirements and are easily available. Overall the provision meets the needs of 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 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 parental consent is obtained to seek emergency medical advice or treatment

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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 • ensure that children have access to an appropriate range of natural play materials and those that promote an understanding of differences and the wider world • consider drawing up written information for parents to reflect the service that is provided • ensure that the emergency escape plan is practised regularly.

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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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