Childminder in Sunderland

Inspection report for early years provision

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305554 Unique Reference Number 25 September 2007 Inspection date Marilyn Besford 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 1994. She lives with her husband and their two sons, both adult, in Lambton, Washington. Her home is within walking distance of schools, nursery and toddler group. Other local amenities include shops, a community centre, park, library and sports and leisure facilities. The areas of the premises used for childminding are the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for up to six children and there are eight children on the roll at present, who attend at varying times. The childminder holds a level 3 qualification in child care practice, attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis and is a member of the local childminder support group.

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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 very effectively being protected from sickness and the spread of infection because of the childminder's thorough knowledge and very good hygiene practice. For example, she has meticulous arrangements for changing nappies, including the use of disposable gloves, antibacterial wipes and hand wash. She maintains high standards of cleanliness in the areas of her home used by minded children and in the care of equipment used by them. For example, high chairs are kept hygienic with thorough cleaning each time they are used. Children learn good personal care skills as they are reminded to wash their hands at appropriate times, such as after visiting the bathroom. They each have their own named wash bags and individual towels, which helps to prevent cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

In her procedures for dealing with sick children, the childminder has clear regard for the health needs of all the children in her care. She has a current first aid qualification, discusses medical requirements with parents and has appropriate systems for keeping records of accidents and medication. She has consent to seek emergency medical treatment but this does not have full information about the child.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are well catered for in cooperation between the childminder and parents. The childminder provides children with snacks of fruit and yogurt, with drinks of water or diluted fruit juice, depending on the child's preference and parental wishes, and parents provide meals which the childminder serves to the children. Meal and snack times are an enjoyable social occasion, when everyone sits together around the table. As a result, young children are becoming good, independent eaters and learning good manners.

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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 welcoming, safe and secure child centred environment. The areas used by children give them plenty of space for different activities. There are quiet areas for rest and room for older children to play while younger ones and babies have safe space to play on the floor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from good access to a wide range of attractive play materials, which are safe and appropriate for children's ages and developmental stages. For example, very young children do not have access to very small items. Play materials are good quality, meet safety standards and are regularly checked for condition and cleanliness by the childminder to ensure that they continue to be safe for the children. Good organisation of storage helps children to develop independence in making their own choice of toys and activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well safeguarded because the childminder identifies risks in their environment and effectively minimises them by using safety equipment where needed and by careful supervision. However, long cords hang from a vertical blind and this is a hazard. Children are able to move around freely and make choices about their play as the childminder balances growing independence with safe limits. This helps the children to begin to develop a sense of safety for themselves and others. For example, they learn how to tidy up toys so that others do not trip over them and about fire safety as they practise fire drills regularly. The childminder promotes the development of their understanding of safety well by giving age appropriate advice and

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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 reinforcing safety practices, such as giving older ones clear landmarks for them to walk ahead to and then wait for her.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very effectively safeguarded as their safety and welfare are given high priority by the childminder. Her thorough knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities concerning child protection issues mean she is able to take appropriate action if she has any concerns about a child's well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and comfortable in the childminder's home and they thrive in a very warm, affectionate relationship with her. As a result, their emotional wellbeing and sense of attachment are fostered very well. Children enjoy playing with each other and benefit from social contacts with other children at toddler group. A wide range of stimulating, enjoyable activities in the childminder's home and at local groups helps them to make very good progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They have time to become absorbed in their play so they develop persistence and concentration. For example, they persevere in trying to build a tower of blocks and show great delight as they manage to make it higher and higher. The childminder chats to the children and very effectively develops their mathematical understanding as they talk about higher and lower and compare the tower's height to their own, deciding which is taller or shorter. They get involved in sustained imaginative play as they make and serve pretend food and the childminder's favourite drink. They giggle with fun at the sound of the words 'frothy coffee'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder makes good use of younger children's individual routines and times for rest to give one-to-one attention at times during the day. Children benefit from her interest in what they say and do. She listens carefully and talks with them, supporting them well with enthusiasm, praise and encouragement. As a result, they are building their confidence to try new things and learn new skills, such as beginning to try to walk unaided.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's overall development is being very well promoted because of the childminder's knowledge of them as individuals and her understanding of how children learn and develop. She plans activities informally to ensure all aspects of children's development are fostered, providing guidance and suggestions to children as they make their choices. She is using the 'Birth to three matters' framework very effectively in assessing how younger children are progressing and in planning the next steps in their learning and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals. The childminder finds out about their varying needs and any particular requirements as she talks with parents and shares her clear and informative written policies with them. They fully discuss all aspects of care, take time to settle children with the childminder and talk daily about the children's progress and experiences. This helps to create a good partnership, which contributes to a warm and consistent care environment for the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents comment that they are extremely happy with the care provided by the childminder and the progress their children are making. Diaries and scrapbooks of the children's activities, with

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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 photographs and creative work, provide a lasting and delightful record of the children's time with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children show a sense of belonging and are secure in their daily routines of rest, meals and play. They know where their play materials are kept and move around freely, growing in independence as they choose toys and activities and help to tidy up. They are beginning to learn that they are part of a wider community as they go for walks, use local amenities and have play materials in daily use, which are not stereotyped and show the diversity of cultures in the wider world. The children's understanding of diversity is developed as the childminder simply and clearly answers their questions about what they see and wonder about in the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and benefit from positive, caring relationships with one another and from the childminder's use of effective behaviour management strategies, consistent praise and encouragement. They are learning to show consideration for others and to understand that they will also be treated with consideration, for example, as they share play materials. They confidently express their feelings through speech, sounds and body language as they respond with smiles and reach out to the childminder for cuddles.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder's very effective organisation of all aspects of her care for children contributes to them being secure, settled and making good progress. Carefully considered use of play space and attention to health and safety mean that children can grow in independence and move around freely, with access to very appropriate resources, in comfort and safety. They benefit from a good balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities that the childminder successfully plans around their needs, abilities and interests.

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Organisation

A well-organised system of record keeping and discussion with parents ensures that the childminder has relevant information contributing to continuity of care for the children. Although the childminder's written policies do not include the most recent contact number for the regulator, they provide a comprehensive framework which effectively underpins children's welfare and development.

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Organisation

The childminder is keen to seek continuous improvement in her child care practice and to keep her skills and knowledge absolutely up to date. She actively undertakes training on a regular basis and puts into practice what she has learned, such as implementing the 'Birth to three matters' framework and creating an inclusive environment. This commitment to development greatly enhances children's care and 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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, recommendations were made about information for parents and records of parental consent concerning health. The childminder now has written policies which inform parents about how she operates. She has documentation in place to record consent to administer medication and a record of permission to seek medical advice or treatment in an emergency, although this does not fully identify the child.

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Improvements since the last inspection

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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection in May 2004, 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 that the cords on vertical blinds are not a hazard to children • improve documentation by providing up to date contact information for the regulator and fully identifying children in records.

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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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