Childminder in Northumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY299146 Inspection date 17 May 2005 Inspector Kathleen Snowdon

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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 lives in Prudhoe, Northumberland, with her husband and their two children, aged two and three years. Her home is close to all facilities including local schools, nurseries and shops. All rooms are used for childminding except the study and the master bedroom. Outdoor play takes place in the fully enclosed back garden. The family keeps two pet cats. The childminder was registered in 2004 and has current childminding arrangements for one child aged over five years, whom she collects from school and looks after twice a week on an after school basis. She occasionally uses the car to do this, but

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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 usually walks. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from fresh air and gentle exercise, when they walk back to the childminder's house after school, for example. They regularly enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks, such as fruit and yogurts, which benefit their physical health. This also helps them to savour the food they regard as "treats", chocolate and jam sandwiches for instance, to give the children a balanced, healthy approach to eating. They drink water and avoid sugary drinks to minimise the risk of tooth decay. The children learn about the importance of good personal hygiene through consistent guidance from the childminder, when she reminds them to wash their hands before a snack, for example. They are protected from contagious illnesses and infectious conditions through the sensible exclusion policy that the childminder has agreed with parents. The children can rest and relax, or be as active as they wish, in the well organised

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Helping children to be healthy

environment. They are encouraged to be active by the availability of sturdy and good quality outdoor play equipment. While using these, the children use a range of movements, such as swinging and climbing, to help them to develop good co-ordination and balance. They use smaller equipment competently, such as remote controlled cars, which helps their hand/eye co-ordination and manipulative skills. The children are developing good self esteem. They relay details of their day at school freely and confidently, secure in the knowledge that they will be listened to and responded to by the childminder. They seek reassurance appropriately, if they are feeling shy in front of strangers, for instance, and show that their emotional health is developing well by their happy, friendly, helpful attitude towards others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised by the secure, very well organised home environment, which allows them to move around freely and safely. The children easily access clean, good quality toys and equipment which are stored tidily around the conservatory, the main play area. The children make good efforts to keep their play area tidy by putting away toys that they have finished playing with, for example, and they understand that this helps to reduce the risk of accidents. Children demonstrate their growing awareness of danger in the way they move around the outdoor play equipment, confidently but with caution. The children are developing a very good awareness of how to protect themselves from potential harm outdoors. They understand for example, the importance of staying close to trusted adults, and letting adults know with whom and where they are. This helps the children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to realise how sensible attitudes help people to stay safe. Younger children are

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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 protected on outings through the judicious use of reins, to ensure that they do not wander off. The children are further protected by the childminder's strong awareness of local Child Protection procedures and First Aid. This helps to ensure that their safety and well being are safeguarded in the event of emergencies and other crises.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have easy access to an excellent range of good quality equipment, which helps them to make progress in all areas of their development. They select their chosen items or activity independently, spontaneously and enthusiastically. They enjoy being active and busy, but are just as happy when they are involved in quieter pursuits, such as watching television, which help them to rest and unwind. They interact well with other children and with adults, which helps them to develop good social abilities, effective listening skills and a wider vocabulary through communicating with others. Through conversations and first hand observations, the children have good opportunities to find out about the local community in which they live, when they walk from school to the childminder's home, for example. This helps them to appreciate that they are part of the wider world. They are excited by the prospect of some of the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities that they do with the childminder, baking for instance, and feel a sense of achievement at the result. They are beginning to understand the importance of having consideration for others, demonstrated when they take turns during play, for example. They recognise the vulnerability of other children, and respond to this with kindness and tolerance, demonstrated when they play alongside younger children, for instance. The children are beginning to understand the nature of diversity, through seeing positive images of gender, disability, ethnicity and culture in items like books and jigsaws, that they play with frequently.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are looked after in accordance with their parents' wishes, because of the effective partnership that the childminder has established with their parents. This helps to ensure that the children's needs are fully met. Parents are kept well informed through daily discussions about the things that their children have done during their time with the childminder. This contributes to the children's sense of security and belonging. The children have access to a wide range of quality resources that reflect positive images of diversity. This helps them to develop respect for others and an interest in difference. They benefit from well planned activities, such as baking, which helps

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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 them to realise that making an effort gets good results. Their behaviour is very good and is consistently and effectively managed by the childminder, who understands their individual preferences and tendencies. The children have a positive and respectful attitude towards other people. They are keen to help, and are polite and considerate. They are taught the importance of considering others during play, such as when the childminder reminds them not to exclude anyone from a game. This helps them to think about the feelings of others, and encourages them to understand right from wrong.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's needs are well met through the childminder's very good knowledge and understanding of child development and her regard for their individual preferences. This is enhanced by up-to-date and detailed records being in place, such as the children's attendance records. The registration certificate was not prominently displayed. Positive aspects of the childminder's practice, such as her effective collaboration with parents, ensure that the children are well protected. The childminder uses contracts to set out clearly her expectations, and those of the parents. She has daily discussions about the children's experiences and achievements with their parents to ensure that they are fully informed about what their child has done in their absence. The well organised environment enables the children to set their own pace, by giving them free access to areas where they can relax or be active.

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Organisation

The children's good health is promoted by the implementation of effective and sensible practices. The childminder ensures for example, that a current First Aid certificate is in place, along with valid car and Public Liability insurances. Overall, the good quality provision meets the needs of the children effectively.

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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

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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 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): • display the registration certificate.

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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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