Childminder in Sunderland

Inspection report for early years provision

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305483 Unique Reference Number 18 April 2007 Inspection date Judith Ann Hodgson 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 has been registered since 1997. The childminder lives with her husband and daughter aged sixteen years. They live in a two storey house in the Houghton area of Sunderland, which is situated close to local amenities such as shops, a school, toddler groups and parks. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder's husband also works as an assistant. She is registered for five children. There are currently six children on roll, some of who attend part time. The family has two small pet dogs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is part of a childminder support group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. High levels of hygiene are maintained throughout the home as the childminder has rigorous daily routines. She cleans the areas used for minding after the children have gone and cleans

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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 and checks the toys that have been used, therefore the children are protected from infection. Children are learning the importance of personal hygiene as the childminder helps the younger children to wash their hands at appropriate times. She encourages them to cover their mouths when they cough and to use tissues when wiping their noses and to dispose of the tissues safely. The childminder minimises the risk of children’s exposure to cross-infection as she carries out good hygiene practices. These include making sure high chairs are cleaned after use and cleaning her hands with anti-bacterial gel before children have their snack and after nappy changing.

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Helping children to be healthy

To help children develop healthy eating habits, the childminder serves a wide variety of nutritious meals and snacks such as toast, fruit, pasta and hot meat dinners. They are regularly offered unfamiliar foods to encourage them to try healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables. Older children can help themselves to drinking water at any time from the water cooler and younger children are regularly offered drinks. This prevents children from becoming thirsty or dehydrated. Children’s health is safeguarded because the childminder obtains information regarding any allergies, medication or dietary needs from the parents at the onset of care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop positive attitudes to exercising their bodies through fun activities in the fresh air. The home has a small garden, which is used by younger children to enjoy such things as sand play and large ride-on toys. The childminder understands the physical needs of the youngest children being cared for, and provides plenty of space for toddlers to crawl and learn to use their bodies in different ways. They show pleasure and control as they pull themselves up and walk along the furniture, supported by the childminder. They are able learn new physical skills when using large toys on their regular visits to local toddler groups. They also enjoy visits to the local park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have plenty of space to play within this warm and well ordered home. Small tables and chairs in the main minding area and large open floor spaces ensure that the children are comfortable when they play. All downstairs rooms interlink, enabling the childminder to maintain good supervision at all times. Children enjoy a wide range of good quality playthings which they use with confidence and enjoyment. Toys are laid out attractively and changed daily, so that they can easily choose what they want to play with. This means that there is always a stimulating and appropriate range of equipment available for children of all ages.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is vigilant to ensure the children's safety both indoors and out. Safety equipment such as smoke and heat alarms, safety gates and socket covers, coupled with close supervision, minimises the risk of accidents. Procedures for evacuating the premises in the event of a fire are detailed and fire drills are practised with the children, safeguarding them in the event of an emergency. Babies sleep safely and comfortably in a separate quiet room, according to their own preferences, and are frequently checked by the childminder. Children learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder sensitively explains possible dangers to them. This includes such things as being careful on the steps into the garden, the dangers of crossing the road when out walking and why it is important to stay close to her when they are on trips and outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s overall well-being is safeguarded because the childminder understands child protection procedures and how to implement these when necessary. She knows how to recognise child abuse and neglect and who to consult if there is a cause for concern.

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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 benefit from the good attention that the childminder gives the children. They have fun and enjoy exploring the very wide range of toys provided in the playroom, conservatory and garden. The childminder maintains good interaction with the children as she sits on the floor to become involved in their games. She plays with the children, talking to them and asking questions as they enjoy sharing simple jigsaws. She chats to the children, encouraging them to develop new vocabulary and sensitively intervenes in their activities to extend their learning. For example, when children are playing with cars on a play mat she encourages the children use the mat to find the school, which they do eagerly. Good support offered by the childminder enhances the children's play as she encourages them in their achievements. For example, when young children are learning to pull themselves up to stand and play with larger toys, she offers

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enthusiastic praise, much to their delight. They are helped to develop their concentration as they share play with felt shapes to dress children and make pictures. Children enjoy their play here and have fun.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Daily routines allow plenty of time for children to be held, cuddled and played with. The childminder plans and provides a stimulating range of experiences for younger children under the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Very young children learn to imitate sounds and words through playful interactions with the childminder. She talks to them constantly, repeats unfamiliar words to help them extend their vocabulary and uses facial expressions and gestures to help them understand what she means. They extend their experiences of their local community with visits to toddler groups and trips to local parks. The childminder is warm and affectionate towards the children in her care, responding to their individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into the childminder's home and enjoy a family atmosphere where the childminder values and respects their individuality. Children behave well and gain self-confidence as the childminder listens carefully to them, responds to their comments and encourages them to be involved in purposeful play. They are valued, included and have their individual needs met by the childminder, who works closely with their parents. Detailed information is sought from parents as the children begin their care. Such things as their likes, dislikes, comforters and what they can do are used to plan ahead to meet their individual needs, interests and personalities. Children learn right from wrong through praise and distraction and are helped to learn to share and play well together through positive explanations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective liaison with parents contributes to children's well-being. They receive detailed information through sharing the childminder's detailed policy and practice folder. There is a good flexible induction period that enables both parents and children to be comfortable with the childminder before care begins. The childminder shares information at the end of the day so parents are aware of what their children have been doing throughout the day. The childminder prepares a scrapbook for individual children, containing photographs and details of the their achievements throughout the year. This is given to parents at the end of the year which helps to foster the good relationships. This interchange with parents has a positive impact on the welfare of the children.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Records and documents are well organised and used to support the care of the children and to comply with regulations. These are clear and include a series of written policy statements, which are shared with parents to help them gain a good insight into the type of service that is provided for their children. However, the childminder is aware that some police checks are out of date and is taking steps to update these.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's experience and the way she organises her time, home and the resources she provides. She is sensitive to children's needs and organises her time well to ensure that they are kept stimulated and interested and that she has time to be involved in their games and activities. The way the toys are stored restricts independent choice. However, the childminder takes steps to provide children with a range of toys and changes these throughout the day. She has updated her knowledge through attending training courses and is committed to further training to enhance her practice. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and supports other childminders through a local childminding network.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that written parental consent was in place with regard to the assistant having sole care of children. This has been addressed, the parents are fully aware and have agreed to the assistant having occasional sole care of the children. She was also asked to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The permissions have been obtained and this safeguards children in the event of an emergency.

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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): • improve children's independent access to playthings.

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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 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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