Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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313473 Unique Reference Number 11 May 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 November 1992. She lives with her husband and their four children, aged one, nine, 14 and 16 years. The home is approximately one mile from Chester le Street town centre. There are primary schools, pre-schools, parks, shops and local amenities within comfortable walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The ground floor is used for childminding purposes. Toilet and hand washing facilities are also on the ground floor. Minded children do not access first floor rooms. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for five children. There are currently eight children under eight and 10 children over eight on role, all of whom attend part time.

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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. The childminder maintains high levels of hygiene in her home. The premises and equipment are cleaned regularly and the children benefit from the childminder setting a good example in her personal hygiene practices. She washes her hands at appropriate times and encourages the children to wash their hands after being to the toilet. Paper towels for hand drying are available at a level where children can reach which helps to prevent cross contamination. Medical needs are discussed with parents at the onset of care. Detailed and up to date records are kept which benefits the children through continuity of care. Comprehensive accident records are kept and are shared with parents which ensures that children's health needs are met. The childminder holds a current first aid qualification and has permission to seek medical treatment for children in the event of an emergency which means that children's health is well protected.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's food and nutritional needs are very well catered for as the childminder provides a wide range of healthy meals and snacks, such as chicken, vegetables, fruit and salad. Planned menus are shared with parents and include children's suggestions and parents preferences. Meals served include breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as regular snacks throughout the day. Fresh drinking water is available at all times as the childminder provides a water cooler for children to help themselves. Younger children benefit from being given regular drinks in individual beakers which prevents them becoming thirsty or dehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder understands the benefits of exercise for children's health and provides good opportunities for physical play in this setting. The enclosed rear garden has a trampoline, large climbing frame, large ride-on toys and a space for practising ball skills. Children have fun as they develop their physical skills. A soft play area indoors enables younger children to develop their physical skills in a safe and warm environment. Children are encouraged to develop their fine motor skills through playing with jig-saws, dough and small world toys. The childminder also provides opportunities away from the home where children can run and play. They visit a local green where they are able to go for walks, run and play cricket.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. This is a welcoming and well ordered home. Children play safely both indoors and outdoors as the childminder is vigilant to ensure all safety features are in place and proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents. There is a good range of safety measures in place to reduce the risk of accidents and to help keep children safe. For example, the premises are secure, cleaning materials are inaccessible to children, covers are placed over exposed electric sockets, the edges of the hearth are covered and stair gates are positioned to prevent children having unsupervised access to outside doors. Children are well protected from fire. All fire safety appliances are in place, such as a fire blanket in the kitchen, a suitably placed carbon monoxide detector and smoke alarms. The childminder has devised a fire evacuation plan and practices this with the children. Children learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder sensitively explains

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

possible dangers to them. For example, she reminds children to be careful of each other when using scissors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a wide choice of good quality, interesting and stimulating playthings both indoors and outdoors. These are stored to allow freedom of choice, which fosters the children's growing

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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 independence. The layout of the home encourages the children to move freely from the living room to the playrooms and garden. Different ages of children are able to play in separate rooms with playthings suitable for their stage of development.

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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 understands the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect and is confident in implementing the procedure if she feels that there is a cause for concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have fun here, they enjoy exploring the very wide range of toys provided in the living room, playroom, study, conservatory and garden. The childminder maintains good interaction with the children as she sits on the floor to become involved in their games. 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 the pretend kitchen, she encourages them to join in the game by asking questions. They respond eagerly and are fully involved in making a pretend breakfast. Good support offered by the childminder enhances the children's play as she encourages them in their achievements. For example, when young children are playing with dough, she offers enthusiastic praise, much to their delight. They concentrate well as they shape the dough and pretend to cut dough hair. She talks to the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children constantly, repeating unfamiliar words to help them extend their vocabulary and uses animated expressions and gestures with younger children to help them understand what she means. The childminder uses limited activities in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework to encourage the development of the very young children and has identified this as an area for development. Children's play is enriched through such things as playing in the garden, singing together, cooking activities and dressing up.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed and enjoy a lively, family atmosphere where the childminder values and respects their individuality. Children behave well and gain self-confidence as the childminder listens carefully to them and encourages their comments and suggestions. 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. They learn right from wrong and good manners, they are praised and are helped to learn to play well together through positive explanations. The children and the childminder have devised a set of house rules which are displayed in the playrooms, this encourages the children to be well behaved as they understand why this is important and how their behaviour affects others. The childminder is very calm and attentive towards the children and sensitively intervenes to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good knowledge of equal opportunities. She demonstrates a very positive attitude towards inclusion and stated that she would access training if it was needed to help with children's care. However, there is a limited range of resources reflecting positive images of diversity and the wider world. The childminder has identified this as an area for development and is keen to provide activities and resources to increase children's awareness and to support her practice.

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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 A very good relationship with parents contributes to children's well-being. They receive comprehensive information through individual, detailed policy and practice folders. 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. This discussion with parents and written information on the very young children's daily activities benefits the children through continuity of care. The childminder seeks written feedback from both the parents and the older children as she has a strong desire to improve her practice and the level of care offered. This relationship with parents has a positive impact on the welfare of the

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit very well 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. She has updated her knowledge through attending training courses, such as behaviour management, child development and baby massage.

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Organisation

The childminder's records and documents are very well organised and used to support the care of the children and to comply with regulations. These are clear, up-to-date and include very comprehensive written policy statements, which are given to parents to help them gain a good insight into the type of service that is provided for their children.

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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, the childminder was asked to ensure that written agreements and business arrangements are completed with parents, that the registration certificate was displayed for parents at all times and that the times of children's arrival and departure was maintained in the attendance register. She was also required to make available to parents a written statement that provided details of the procedure to be followed if they had a complaint, including the relevant contact details and in line with recent changes to regulation. All required regulatory documents are now in place.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was required to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment, to take children on outings, to transport children in a vehicle and obtain prior permission to administer medications. She was also asked to submit an action plan detailing how she would meet the qualification criteria in relation to fist aid. All the required permissions have been requested from parents and the childminder has completed a first aid course and holds a current and relevant qualification. These measures safeguard the well-being of the children in her care.

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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.

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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.

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Complaints 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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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): • develop activities and resources to increase children's awareness of differences and a wider world • continue to develop activities in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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