Childminder in Northumberland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 405440 Inspection date 19 May 2005 Inspector Marie Mcconville

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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 has been registered since 1998. She lives with her husband and one child aged 4 years. They live in a three bedroom mid-terrace house in the village of New Hartley close to Seaton Deleval, Northumberland. Local provisions such as schools, nurseries and parks are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding; access to the upstairs is restricted to the use of the toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 The childminder is currently caring for 4 children under 8 years on a full and part time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health and well being is promoted through daily routines. Children are aware of good hygiene practice and understand why they must wash their hands before snacks and after toileting and the importance of good dental hygiene, through brushing their teeth after meals. The childminders understanding of first aid ensures that children who have minor accidents are treated safely and effectively. However, if children require emergency treatment, there is no written permission in place to either seek or administer. The policy for the admission of sick children is not clear. Children enjoy healthy, nutritious snacks that appeal to them and take into account the wishes of parents. Children enjoy packed lunches provide by parents that the childminder serves to them when they sit together at lunch time. Children take part in daily outings that contribute to their good health. They visit the

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Helping children to be healthy

local parks and playgrounds, have daily walks and access a range of equipment such as sit and ride vehicles in the rear garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in comfortable, well maintained home where risks are identified and minimized through the appropriate use of safety equipment that takes into account the maturity and understanding of the children. Samples of children's work is displayed so that they are in a welcoming environment. Children are able to move around indoors and in the rear garden safely and independently. Children understand about keeping safe on outings through talking about and practising road safety. Children are able to choose activities from a well maintained and varied selection of toys and equipment that are rotated regularly to take into account stages of development and the individual interests of children. The childminder is aware of the stages of children's development and suggests activities that provide appropriate challenge, such as play dough and a range of tools including scissors, knives and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

cutters to promote fine motor skills. The childminder has the required procedures and documents in place to promote children's welfare such as an up to date first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child protection procedures in accordance with the local Area Child Protection Committee Guidelines.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well settled and show confidence in their environment and their relationship with the childminder, often singing spontaneously as they play. The childminder is skilled at questioning and talking to children so that they make good progress in their development. Children confidently talk about past events such as sowing strawberry plants and predict what will happen next as they care for the plants and pick and eat the fruit. Children play for prolonged periods of time in activities of their choice developing their imagination through role play and small world toys. They talk about feelings as they make happy and sad faces with play dough and practice their creativity through craft and drawing activities. The childminder promotes children's mathematical development during non structured activities, they practice counting, talk about colours and shapes as they play with the dough.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have many opportunities to develop social skills through planned outings to local provision such as carer and toddler groups, drop in's and visits to other childminders. Children enjoy taking part in meaningful outings to children's farms and York Railway museum to visit Thomas the tank engine. Children from a wide age range have opportunities to take part in activities together during school holidays, activities such as outings and craft activities appeal to all and are adapted to meet individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides meaningful activities that help inform children about the wider world and other cultures, for example as they celebrate Chinese New Year through visiting the supermarket, tasting food and using chopsticks. Children access resources that include some positive images of other cultures, they share books and talk about what they see. Children are aware of their own community through regular walks to school, nursery, local parks and shops. Information recorded in respect of children's individual needs lacks detail to promote the best initial settling in periods. Children are valued as individuals, the childminder listens well and responds effectively to what children say. She provides behavioural boundaries that children understand. Children behave very well and understand about right and wrong. Children are developing good manners through the positive role model the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder provides, she focuses on positive behaviour, promoting children's self esteem, confidence and children's abilities to make choices and to compromise. Children's needs are promoted through daily routines agreed with parents and daily

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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 dialogue when information is exchanged about what children have done. Parents regularly take home work that children have completed giving value to children's efforts.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy, confident and well settled in the well organised environment. The good daily routines give children opportunities to take part in a range of structured and non structured activities. The childminders commitment to undertake regular training opportunities promotes the continuing improvement of childcare provided, for example, the safety and well being of children, through child protection training. The childminders understanding of the national standards and how she applies them promotes children's progress, their safety and welfare so that overall, the provision meets the needs of children who are cared for.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection the childminder has improved her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues through attending training opportunities. She has improved methods of keeping records in respect of administering medication that are shared with parents.

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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): • further promote the health and well being of children through developing a

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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 clearly defined policy for the admission of sick children and ensuring that written parental permission is in place to seek or administer emergency treatment • develop the written records regarding the individual needs of children to further enhance the care that is given

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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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