Childminder in North Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

309951 Unique Reference Number 24 October 2006 Inspection date Cathryn Parry Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 1995. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and 12 years in the residential area of Whitley Bay in Tyne and Wear. She also cares for children aged over eight years. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's house are used for childminding. The bedroom on the first floor is used for overnight care. There is a fully enclosed yard for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and to care for one child overnight. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a dog.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children thrive as the childminder provides healthy and nutritional meals and snacks. These include fresh fruit, pasta and vegetables. Some parents choose to provide their children's meals, which the childminder stores in the fridge to ensure their freshness. Specific health and dietary needs are discussed at the children's induction and appropriate forms completed to ensure their individual requirements are met. Children confidently ask for drinks when they are thirsty as well as having water, juice and milk regularly provided. Older children pour their own drinks, which promotes independence. Children flourish as they access good opportunities for physical play, including trips to the park, beach and soft play area.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children can participate fully in activities as the premises and equipment are clean. The childminder thoroughly cleans toys on a Sunday as well as checking all are suitable during the week. Children are learning good personal hygiene practices through consistent routines and positive role modelling. They spontaneously wash hands after using the toilet and before meals. Comprehensive policies and good relationships with parents ensure individual children are cared for well should they become ill, reducing the risk of cross infection. All relevant documentation with regard to health, including specific dietary needs and consent forms are in place and up to date. These positively safeguard children’s well-being.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safeguarded well as the childminder’s home is secure at all times. This is supplemented with effective procedures for adults collecting children. They are able to move freely as there is adequate space, which is clean and well maintained. This reduces the risk of accidents. A large glass door in the room at the back of the house enables children to benefit from natural light, whilst playing with the range of toys. Their knowledge about personal safety is encouraged by gentle reminders from the childminder to pick up the toys so they do not trip, road safety activities and regular fire drill practices. This positively contributes to children developing a sense of danger and how to keep themselves safe. She provides young children with good levels of adult supervision so they take appropriate risks as part of their development, for example, doing summersaults.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All safety equipment is in place reducing the risk of accidents. This includes smoke detectors on each floor which are regularly checked. Children who go on outings are kept safe as the childminder is vigilant and uses age appropriate restraints for younger children. She has a good understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits. Older children show a clear understanding of the boundaries set to ensure their safety. Children are protected well as the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues. She has all the required procedures and documentation in place to ensure that children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are eager to participate in the wide variety of activities provided. These include using pop-up toys, baking and group games, such as Twister and Scrabble. Children make good progress and have fun as the childminder has a basic weekly plan which she adapts to link with children's ideas. A very good balance of child-centred and adult-led experiences ensures appropriate challenge for their age and stage of development. Examples of this are where the childminder gently prompts a child when reading a story and encourages a younger child to build the bricks. Effective use is made of the local area giving children a breadth of opportunities, including trips to the beach, museum and farm.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children delight in using their imagination, for instance when dressing up and playing with the dolls and buggies. A variety of creative activities, including making play dough, painting and sticking promote children's self-expression and coordination whilst having fun. They use mathematical language in their play, including describing how tall the tower is and that the bricks are built in the shape of a square. Children’s language and social skills are developing well, as the childminder offers a lot of verbal encouragement and is effectively involved in their play. The broad range of resources and appropriate low level storage stimulates children’s overall development.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. A short induction period, including visits with parents, enables children to settle into the new environment. Children are learning right from wrong and are starting to take responsibility for their own actions, for instance not to climb on the furniture in case they fall. All children are included in the wide variety of experiences provided, fostering a sense of achievement and enjoyment. The childminder carefully organises her time one day a week so that each child can attend their age appropriate class at a gym club.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder’s confident approach to equal opportunities actively contributes to children’s positive attitudes to the wider community. This is complemented with access to a selection of resources showing positive images of different cultures and disabilities. The childminder shows a sound understanding of behaviour management, giving good examples of how she approaches a variety of situations for children of different ages. Effective partnership with parents ensures individual needs are met well, which promotes stability. The childminder encourages feedback from parents including the use of questionnaires.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children’s play opportunities are maximised through the effective organisation of space, time and resources. The large area available for children enables them to play independently or with others. Effective use of time ensures children can participate in a variety of experiences both

p.4

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 indoors and out. Attractively set out resources and activities inspire children to play and have fun, whilst encouraging free choice and independence.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder has attended relevant training and has over 11 years childcare experience. This has a positive impact on the quality of care provided. However, a current first aid certificate has not been maintained, which has a negative impact on children's well-being and is a breach of regulation. All legally required documentation is in place and implemented well. This positively contributes to children’s overall well-being.

p.5

Organisation

Overall the childminder does not meet the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to develop the fire evacuation plan to include overnight, ensure a medication log is signed by all parents and to ensure parental permission to seek or administer emergency treatment is in place for all children. The evacuation plan is now in place, recent medication forms have been appropriately completed and consent has been gained for emergency medical treatment. These have a positive impact on promoting and safeguarding children's well-being.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004 that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care, the registered person must take the following actions: • develop and implement an action plan showing how a first aid course is to be completed. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

p.5

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 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

p.5

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

p.6