Childminder in North Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

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501571 Unique Reference Number 19 February 2008 Inspection date Cathryn Parry 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 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 was registered in 2001. She lives with her partner and two children aged 10 and five years in the residential area of Marden in North Shields. The whole of the ground floor and the front bedroom and bathroom on the first floor of the childminder’s house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding six children aged under eight years. She also cares for children aged over eight years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has two cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children develop and test their physical skills through stimulating daily indoor and outdoor experiences. These include using a play parachute and large construction toys. The childminder also takes them to the nearby park where they can run freely, use the climbing equipment and

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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 enjoy exercise in the fresh air. The childminder’s flexible routine incorporates time for quiet play and rest, enhancing children’s well-being. A varied and imaginative menu encourages children to have a good awareness of healthy meal options and the opportunity to try new foods. Meals provided include croissants, tacos with salsa and soured cream, and spaghetti bolognaise. Children take part in interesting food related activities, such as making faces out of fruit and using stencils depicting healthy foods. This encourages good lifestyle habits.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder rarely administers medicines. However, clear records are kept in respect of medication and accidents and these are shared with parents and carers. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has effective systems in place to administer medication. This ensures children's health is safeguarded. In addition the childminder has a suitable sickness exclusion policy, including a list of infectious illnesses, which is shared with parents and carers. Children are learning about the importance of good personal hygiene and are becoming increasingly independent in their personal care. For example, they use liquid soap or antibacterial wipes to clean their hands before eating and after using the toilet. This fosters children's emerging understanding of how to help stop germs spreading and keep themselves well and healthy. Relevant documentation with regard to health, including specific dietary needs and

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Helping children to be healthy

consent forms are in place and up to date. These positively safeguard children’s well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are generally safeguarded well as the childminder's home is secure. This is supplemented with effective procedures for adults collecting children. However, the front door is not always locked when older children are arriving. This makes children more vulnerable. Windows in the living room and glass doors in the dining room enable children to benefit from natural light whilst playing indoors. Children are kept safe on outings as they learn road safety procedures and understand simple rules. These include using the pedestrian crossings where possible and holding hands when crossing the road. This is complemented with the use of age-appropriate restraints when needed. They are supervised and have good opportunities to practise what they can do, such as using scissors. This helps to develop some awareness of their abilities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is currently having an extension built onto her home. She has identified risks and acted positively to ensure children are kept safe. An example of this is where she has restricted play in the back garden until the works are completed, and takes children out to other facilities for large physical play. All safety equipment is in place reducing the risk of accidents. This includes smoke detectors, fire doors and a stair gate. Children are involved in regular fire drills, which help them to become familiar with the procedures to be followed in an emergency. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She has attended child protection training and demonstrates a sound understanding of associated issues. Consequently, children are safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and secure as a result of the childminder's praise and support. They enjoy their time in the childminding environment and are happy to join in with the activities provided. These include having water based games in the garden, using puppets and dressing up. Children find the resources fun and sufficiently challenging, which helps to develop appropriate levels

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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 of concentration. They benefit from a flexible routine including a balance of child-centred and adult-led activities. Children are developing meaningful social relationships when they play together harmoniously, learning to share, take turns and are kind during their play. Effective use is made of the local area giving children a breadth of opportunities. Examples of this are where they visit the farm and the library. The childminder follows children's interests, for instance, when one is keen on drama she encourages the children to produce their own little plays.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's creativity is nurtured as they experiment with different media and explore their own ideas. This includes manipulating play dough, creating a Mosque out of blocks and printing with hands and feet. They develop mathematical thinking when they weigh ingredients for baking, score when playing games and describe how tall their tower is. Children delight in using their imagination, for instance, when they build a model out of bricks and pretend it is an eagle’s nest. Their communication skills are fostered resulting in good interactions between themselves and the childminder. Children have a growing understanding of the world that they live in through a variety of planned experiences, including growing cress and planting bulbs. They enjoy mark making and have a range of resources to access, such as felt tip pens, crayons and paint. This results in them developing good hand and eye coordination. Children’s all round

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

development is enhanced well as a wide range of activities and resources are on offer, which include relevant outings to appropriate groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. A short induction period, including visits with parents and carers, enables children to settle into the new environment. The childminder is sensitive to individual children's needs and tailors the number of visits and their length to suit these. They respond well to the positive and caring approach taken by the childminder. She relates warmly to the children and builds their confidence by acknowledging their achievements and giving praise. The childminder’s positive attitude to equal opportunities ensures children have a good awareness of the wider community, for instance when discussing people's differences. This is supplemented with a wide variety of resources reflecting positive images of the world they live in. These include dolls, books and dressing up clothes depicting different cultures and disability. The childminder has attended inclusion training and has had some experience of caring for children with learning difficulties

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and disabilities. She also demonstrates a positive attitude to providing an inclusive environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children understand and cooperate with simple house rules. Their good behaviour is actively encouraged through positive role modelling, meaningful praise and valuing good behaviour. This is complemented by the childminder having a good understanding of individual personalities. The childminder communicates with parents and carers on a daily basis. This is verbally for older children and with written diaries for babies. Consequently, they are fully informed of the activities their children have participated in. The good relationship with parents and carers has a positive impact on the consistency of care the children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s play opportunities are maximised through the effective organisation of space, time and resources. The use of the living and dining rooms enable children to take part in different activities simultaneously. An example of this is where some can be playing with the range of

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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 pretend knitted, plastic and wooden play foods whilst others are participating in a creative experience. The layout also gives children the opportunity to play independently or with others. The flexible routine incorporates time to visit places of interest. The childminder is also very accommodating with regard to parents and carers work patterns. The wide range of toys are rotated by the childminder to inspire children to play. They are stored at the children's height to encourage free choice and independence. This is complemented with the childminder having a very good relationship with the local school where she shares her resources.

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Organisation

The childminder’s ongoing commitment to training has a positive impact on the high quality of care provided. Children’s welfare is appropriately safeguarded as the childminder and other household members have had suitable checks completed. She is aware of her current registration requirements and adheres to them. This has a positive impact on children's well-being. Documentation for each child is organised well and stored confidentially. Consequently, their privacy is respected at all times.

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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 was asked to further develop childminding practice. She has continued to attend training, which has a positive on the quality of the care provided.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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. 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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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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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 premises are secure at all times.

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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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