Childminder in Gateshead

Inspection report for early years provision

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500938 Unique Reference Number 25 January 2007 Inspection date Julie Larner Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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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.

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and her son, aged six years in the Low Fell are of Gateshead. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and the toilet and bathroom located on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed yard for outdoor play. There are currently eight children on roll, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The family has a pet cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children gain benefits from a healthy diet that allows them to make choices. The childminder consults with children about what they want to eat and children competently make decisions, for example, they decide they want sausages for their lunch. A varied selection of home made

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 meals contributes to their healthy lifestyle. The childminder promotes good independence for all ages of children at meal times. She sits at the table with them but allows them the freedom to feed themselves with sausages, mixed vegetables, potatoes and bananas. Regular drinks are offered to children and this also encourages independence and choice as these are left on child height furniture.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children remain free from cross-infection due to good clear procedures and regular cleaning routines. They are cared for in a very clean and hygienic environment where consistent and thorough cleaning contributes to their welfare, for example, the childminder cleans toys and equipment weekly. Children learn about good personal hygiene from the childminder within the home and when they are on outings. Some younger children are successful in taking care of their own personal needs as the childminder encourages them to be independent by washing their faces and hands after and before lunch. Through the childminders good understanding of hygiene and organisation she helps them keep their hands clean on outings by carrying around anti-bacterial hand wash to use before picnics and after children have touched animals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular exercise. Older children and some younger children walk to and from school daily and younger children are taken to soft play areas throughout the year. They participate in trips to the local park, all of which help to contribute to developing a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

The necessary documentation is in place, such as accident records and consents for medications and a current first aid certificate helps to safeguard the children's welfare.

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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 safe and secure environment. Clear and consistent procedures displayed by the childminder help to eliminate risks both in the home and outside. Through a mixture of relevant appropriate equipment and her daily practice she successfully ensures that children are aware of risks. She lets them know when they are getting too excited as they walk on small wall and tells them why they should get down. Close and vigilant supervision of younger children when they are sleeping helps ensure they are safe and well cared for as the childminder is very aware of how her practice affects children's welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children begin to learn about basic road safety well, as the childminder explains how to cross roads safely, to watch out for the 'green man' and talks about different colours of traffic lights to heighten their awareness. Safety is important in the setting and whilst the childminder cares for a very wide age range of children she is highly effective in ensuring younger children's safety and at the same time ensuring older children are challenged by the toys and equipment they use due to the good use of space.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with a wide range of good quality, well maintained equipment which is rotated on a daily basis. This ensures children experience a sound range of opportunities for different types of play. Children easily make decisions about what they want to play with as they choose from toys which are set out, or ask the childminder for their favourites. They successfully make decisions as they talk to the childminder about what they want to do later on in the day. The

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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 childminder's flexibility to accommodate children's requests ensures they play with toys that they enjoy and which stimulate and interest them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection as she has completed further training to help to benefit the care of the children and safeguard their welfare. She shows an adequate understanding of how to pass on concerns and shows sound knowledge of the types of signs she needs to look out for.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children share lovely relationships with the childminder. They become engrossed in conversations and children are extremely confident in the setting. Children make observations about their environment as they comment that they are 'higher' on a chair than other children. Some younger children can write their names as the childminder encourages learning through every day activities, such as drawing. The childminder listens intently to the children ensuring they are valued and their opinions respected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children approach the childminder with great confidence. They are keen to involve her in their play as they talk about different toy figures and what kinds of foods they both like. Children who are upset are comforted well. The childminder knows the children very well and, as such, is able to successfully support them and ensure they are comfortable, for example, when they are not well she ensures they have cuddles to help them go to sleep. Younger children are involved in a wide range of activities which helps them enjoy their play. Babies persist in enthusiastically exploring household objects from a treasure basket, shaking them around and tasting them as they smile and become excited.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Developmentally appropriate steps are encouraged by the childminder. She helps babies to stand up by holding them gently when they express an interest in looking around.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children attend varied weekly activities in their local community, such as toddler groups and soft play sessions. Celebrations are planned into the childminder's routine and activities, for example, children make Halloween decorations which are used to put up in the setting when the children return home from school. Every day play resources help children to learn about diversity and accept differences, such as toy figures in wheelchairs. The childminder has an open approach to valuing diversity and talks to children in an appropriate manner to help them learn about the world around them. Appropriate procedures are in place to care for children with individual needs and through adapting activities, resources and gaining key information from parents the childminder ensures she knows how to care for all children successfully.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour is good. Children are happy, settled and calm in their environment. Children easily make decisions and choices in some aspects of their care, such as deciding where they want to sleep. Behaviour is managed effectively by the childminder. She encourages older children to

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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 take appropriate responsibility for younger children and to act as a positive role model. Children are praised and encouraged when they behave well which raises their self esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are good. The childminder ensures she collects good, relevant information to meet the children's needs. Information is passed to parents daily to help them gain a good picture of what their child has been doing and photographs of special events are given to them, such as parties and toddler groups. The childminder's open attitude with parents helps her to develop good bonds with their children. Visits before children start to attend, to see how the childminder cares for children, are an essential part of letting them know how her childminding works in practice.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are supported well by the childminder which ensure they feel safe and secure. She sits on the floor to play with children and supervise them closely making sure they are free from harm. Children's needs are interpreted very successfully by the childminder as she sees a baby reach for another child's banana and ask him if he wants one too. The childminder makes good use of her time, space and resources to ensure children enjoy a mixed variety of free play and structured activities. Training on the 'Birth to three matters' framework and other courses ensures she remains up to date with current practice and further benefits the care of the children.

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Organisation

She interprets the National Standards successfully to ensure the children receive good care, however, her registration certificate is not displayed at the times when she is childminding which is a condition of registration. The necessary paperwork is in place and maintained in a confidential way, some records are very accurate, for example, she completes her register as soon as parents drop off their children which further contributes to the children's welfare.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder agreed to further develop her knowledge of child protection and record any injuries children have on arrival to her provision.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has successfully completed further training and shows a sound knowledge base which further benefits the care of the children. The childminder now has procedures where she records any injuries that children arrive with, which ensures she can monitor the children's well-being effectively

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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Complaints since the last inspection

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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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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 the registration certificate is clearly displayed whilst childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

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

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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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