Childminder in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for early years provision

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318929 Unique Reference Number 13 February 2007 Inspection date Jayne Utting 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?

Lorraine Mulligan has been a registered childminder since 1998, she lives with her partner and children. They live in a three bedroom house in North Kenton, Newcastle, within walking distance of the local shops and nearby park. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. At present she is caring for four children on a part time basis, aged from three to six years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder runs and attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis and has a level 3 childcare qualification.

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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. Children are well cared for in a warm and welcoming home, where they begin to learn about the importance of good hygiene and personal care throughout their daily routine. Consistent adult support and guidance helps children gain a good understanding of hygiene and become increasingly independent in their personal care, washing their hands before eating and after the toilet, with even the youngest children being encouraged to practice wiping their own face and hands after meal times. The childminder effectively implements a range of good hygiene procedures which reduce the risk of illness and cross infection. A recent first aid certificate, clear written policies regarding sick children, and the effective recording of all emergency contacts and accidents, promotes children’s health and well-being. Effective hygiene procedures, storage of food, and the use of a flea collar, ensures that the family cat does not pose any

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of fun activities which contribute to their good health. Each day the childminder plans both indoor and outdoor activities which help promote children’s physical development and help them gain increasing control over their bodies. For example, playing football after school, visits to the local park and soft play as well as egg and spoon races in the house. The childminder achieves a good balance between busy and quieter times for younger children, having a flexible routine which enables them to rest when they feel tired.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a nutritious diet through the provision of meals and snacks that are healthy and balanced. A clear written policy regarding food and drink, combined with good ongoing communication with parents, ensures that the childminder has a clear understanding of the individual dietary needs of the children. Children enjoy healthy snacks of fresh fruit, raisins and yoghurt, and sit together at the table for this social occasion. Children have free access to drinks throughout the day, and are offered suitable drinks such as water and fruit juice. The childminder has extended her knowledge well, regarding helping children to be healthy, as she holds recent healthy eating certificates for both under and over 5's.

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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, both indoors and out, where the risks are identified and minimised. This enables them to move around freely, safely, and independently. Children are safe due to a combination of close supervision by the childminder, and the appropriate use of safety equipment such as smoke alarms, radiator thermostats, and a fireguard. The childminder effectively achieves a good balance between freedom and safety. Children learn to keep themselves safe on the premises, as the childminder gives them clear guidelines, which she subtly reinforces with sensitive reminders, such as 'play nicely with the toys'. There is an appropriate emergency evacuation procedure in place, which she practices regularly with the children, although there is no record kept of this. The childminder uses discussion to raise awareness of fire safety further, and older children know how to dial 999 in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

an emergency. Smoke alarms are regularly checked, and a record is kept of this.

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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 The childminder has effective procedures in place to keep children safe when outdoors. Children hold hands when out walking and are encouraged to practice good road safety procedures. The childminder implements effective safety practices for outings, undertaking detailed risk assessments, carrying a mobile phone and emergency contact details, as well as taking other appropriate equipment including drinks, first aid kit, snacks and sun creams as necessary. All children are restrained in appropriate car seats when being transported in the car. Written consent is in place for outings and the use of public transport, ensuring children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Rooms are well organised, so children have space to play safely and they are able to access toys and activities easily. Toys and equipment are varied, age appropriate and in good condition, the childminder undertaking regular checks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and her responsibilities in this area. She has a secure knowledge of the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child's welfare, as well as a clear and comprehensive policy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's home and are confident and happy. She plans and provides a broad range of stimulating and interesting activities for the children, both in and out of the home. These are purposeful, while promoting their learning and development, they are often planned around the children's interests. For example, they visit a local bird reserve, have picnics at the park, bake cakes and pizzas, and enjoy the interactive opportunities at the discovery museum. Involved in the children's activities, the childminder helps and encourages them to move onto different activities when appropriate, so that they are fully occupied, and remain interested in their play, asking appropriate open ended questions that make them think and respond.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy good opportunities to socialise with their peers through visits to local toddler groups, network meetings and soft play. They enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their imaginative, creative and language skills, such as drawing, painting, making glitter bottles and using play dough. Close, caring relationships help to increase children's sense of trust and further develop their sense of belonging and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about the community they live in through visits to local facilities, including nature reserves, toddler groups and the park. Children are given the opportunity to learn about other cultures and the diversity of society, through access to a range of resources including books, dolls and jigsaws that reflect positive images of ethnicity, disability and different cultures, as well as the celebration of festivals such as Chinese new year and Diwali. They have access to a range of national costumes to dress up in.

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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 The childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, ensuring they are fully included in all activities. She demonstrates a good understanding of the needs of individual children, and is committed to working with parents and other professionals to ensure children's ongoing individual development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's self-esteem is developed and encouraged through the childminder actively valuing each child and the contribution they make, including children being listened to, responded to positively, actively included in discussions and praised both regularly and appropriately. She has realistic expectations of children's behaviour and implements a good range of age appropriate strategies to promote positive behaviour, and help children learn right from wrong. The children behave well, and play cooperatively, taking turns and sharing. Where challenging behaviour is displayed the childminder speaks to parents, ensuring consistency between any strategies implemented at home, and with her.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A good relationship has been developed between the childminder and parents. Daily discussions allow both parents and the childminder to be kept fully informed, ensuring the children's needs continue to be met. The childminder makes an individual diary for each of the children, which details their day's activities, as well as their achievements. Parents are free to take these home to share, and are invited to include their own information and comments. Parents are fully informed about the childminder's policies and procedures, including her complaints procedure. The childminder gains feedback from both parents and children about the service she provides through questionnaires, the children including drawings to describe the fun activities they enjoy while in the childminder's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for and settled, in a well organised home that keeps them safe and secure. Toys and resources are organised effectively, enabling children to access them independently, which allows them to make free choices about their play and learning.

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Organisation

Documentation is well organised, with children's individual files in place, records up to date, and written policies and procedures in place. Confidential information is stored appropriately.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's active involvement with the childminder network which broadens children's experiences and increases the childminder's knowledge. Committed to ongoing personal development, the childminder has attended a number of relevant short courses relating to childcare, including healthy eating, nutrition, health and safety, and food hygiene, she has in addition recently completed her Extending Childminding Practice and mentoring certificates. Regular monitoring, and self evaluation through the network, ensures the childminder is constantly reviewing her practice, by incorporating parent's and children's ideas and requests into her planning. She uses her knowledge effectively to provide children with a wide range of learning experiences.

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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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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the following recommendation was made, to provide a sick children policy to include procedures for contacting parents, collecting children and excluding ill/infectious children. Children's heath, care and safety has been improved, and the childminder now has a clear written policy in place regarding sick children, which is shared with parents.

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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. 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.

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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): • to ensure a record is kept of fire drill practices.

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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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