Childminder in Sunderland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY300121 Inspection date 29 June 2005 Inspector Sharon Greener

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two adult children in the Ryhope area of Sunderland. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding purposes, and there is an enclosed back yard for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children under eight years, both attend on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a pet goldfish.

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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. The childminding environment is very clean and well maintained to ensure the children's comfort. Hygiene standards are good. Children are encouraged to adopt good personal hygiene practices to safeguard their wellbeing, such as hand washing after visiting the toilet. Catering arrangements are flexible to meet the wishes of the parents, and children's specific dietary requirements and preferences. Healthy eating is encouraged. Children are starting to show an awareness of the benefits of a good diet, and of healthy foods that help them to grow strong. For example fresh fruit and vegetables. The majority of information about health and safety is shared verbally with the parents, for example the policies in respect of a sick child and medication. Children have regular opportunities for exercise and outdoor play, to enable them to develop their physical skills. The childminder shows a good understanding of each

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Helping children to be healthy

child's stage of development, and ensures they receive lots of praise, to help build their confidence and encourage them to try new challenges.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. In general potential risks are identified and minimised by the childminder. She completes a daily, visual risk assessment of the resources, equipment and the childminding areas. This helps her to highlight any hazards, and to maintain a safe environment, so that children are able them to move freely and safely. However, heavy tins of paint are kept in an unlocked, low level storage container in the yard, and are potentially accessible to children. Resources and equipment are clean and well maintained. The childminder explains safety rules to the children so as to help them to develop an understanding of danger, and to preserve their personal safety. Appropriate safety equipment and policies are in place to help reduce risks, and safeguard children’s welfare. For example a written evacuation procedure is prominently displayed, and regular fire drills carried out. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle quickly and are at ease within the childminding environment. They build suitable relationships with the childminder and respond well to her. The childminder is aware of and responsive to their individual needs, for example their favourite toys.

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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 children are well supported and the childminder acknowledges their achievements, which raises their confidence and self esteem. She praises their abilities to recognise and name items, colours, and sort objects that are big and little. Conversation is encouraged to enhance speech and vocabulary skills, and children make steady progress. Children are inquisitive and their independence skills are developing appropriately. An acceptable variety of resources are reasonably accessible. However, resources to promote and enhance construction, imaginative and role play are few. This limits the opportunities for children to express themselves and develop in these areas. Children regularly visit places of interest, such as the library, the Winter Gardens and museum. This enables them to increase their knowledge and understanding of the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are encouraged to make choices and self select toys. There are some opportunities for children to develop their knowledge and understanding of the local environment and the wider world, through a small number of resources and outings. Resources to aid in the promotion of equal opportunity are limited, particularly with regard to disability and gender. Additional opportunities need to be provided to extend children's knowledge and understanding in these areas. The childminder is aware of and responsive to the individual needs of the children for whom she cares. Children respond warmly to her and are well behaved. They show developing confidence and independence, and are beginning to attend to their own personal needs as age appropriate, such as knowing where to find a tissue when needed. The childminder builds good relationships with parents. They are told about the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminding policies, procedures and other general information. Some written information is shared with them, for example the evacuation procedure, insurance and registration certificates which are clearly displayed. They are kept informed of their child's progress and daily activities, through regular verbal feedback. Letters from two of the parents gave positive feedback about the care of their children and the service provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend. The majority of the required documentation is in place and is suitably maintained. Polices and procedures are used sufficiently well to promote the children's development and well being. However, the childminder does not have an up to date copy of the National Childminding Standards or a copy of the recommended child protection booklet to support and inform her practice.

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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 The childminder does not hold a valid first aid certificate. She acknowledges the need to do so, and is to obtain a relevant first aid certificate within an agreed deadline, to enable her to administer first aid treatment to minded children should this be necessary. Children move freely from room to room under the childminder's supervision, and are at ease within the childminding environment. They are taken on regular outings to parks and green areas, providing opportunities for exercise. Parents are kept well informed of their child's progress and day to day activities, and are encourages them to keep the childminder up to date with relevant information. This enables her to continue to meet children's individual needs.

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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): • submit an action plan to the Leeds Regional Centre within 2 weeks of the date of inspection, indicating how an appropriate first aid certificate is to be obtained before October 2005. • obtain a copy of the revised National Childminding Standards, and a copy of the booklet "What to do if you're worried a child is being abused for reference purposes. • provide an appropriate selection of resources to ensure that children are able to develop an understanding of all of the aspects of equal opportunity, for example gender and disability. • ensure that children are not able to access the tins of paint stored in the low level plastic storage container in the yard.

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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 • provide an appropriate selection of resources to ensure that all areas of child development are sufficiently promoted, for example role play, imaginative play, and construction play.

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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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