Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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314027 Unique Reference Number 03 July 2007 Inspection date Eileen Grimes 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged fifteen years. They live in a village outside of Durham City, close to schools and local amenities. The childminder uses the downstairs of her home for childminding. There is an enclosed play area to the rear of the house. She attends the local toddler groups and takes children to the park and nearby leisure centre.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. She is currently caring for four children on a part time basis. .

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, very well organised and comfortable home. The childminder ensures that children learn about the importance of good hygiene practices, such as washing their hands before and after snacks and after outdoor play. For example, children are able to

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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 show adults how to wash hands correctly and thoroughly. The childminder also ensures that she washes her hands at appropriate times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop an understanding of their bodies and how to keep them healthy. The childminder talks with enthusiasm about the alternative of fruit at snack time, taking time to explain the importance of washing and preparing fruit. Children are aware of when they need a drink and freely access these from the range available. They enjoy meal times which provides, them with the opportunity to develop social skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a good range of daily activities inside and outside the home to help them develop a range of physical skills and promote their good health. For example children go to the nearby park and use large push and pull toys, as well as accessing a range of activities within the near by leisure centre.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has very good systems in place to record accidents, medication administered and for the treatment of emergency and medical advice. This means that parents are kept informed and their wishes are acknowledged and adhered to. The childminder is able to provide appropriate treatment in the event of children having an accident, because she has undertaken relevant first aid training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The risk of accidents to children is minimised by the exceptional care and attention given to safety by the childminder. She ensures that all appropriate equipment is in place, well maintained and used very effectively. There is a very detailed health and safety policy in place, which clearly outlines her emergency evacuation procedure. She has fully embraced new no smoking legislation and current legislation regarding car safety. There is a clear procedure in place for checking and maintaining safety equipment. Children are able to move freely and independently throughout the areas of her home. They discuss how to keep themselves safe, and how to extend this to other children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All toys and equipment with the childminders home are maintained to an exceptionally high standard. Through her excellent approach to children, she has developed their understanding of how to care for toys. For example, children are encouraged to tidy activities away if areas are becoming cluttered and at the end of the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully safeguarded. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the different types and possible signs of abuse. She understands the procedure to be followed if she has a concern about a child, including contact details of social services and the police. There is a comprehensive child protection policy in place, which clearly details to parents her role and responsibilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy their time in the childminder’s home. They achieve extremely well because the childminder is highly skilled and uses her exceptional understanding of child development. She provides an information pack for parents, which includes details of how she intends supporting children in their progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Activities are planned to meet the individual needs of the children and to ensure that each child makes excellent progress. She actively involves all children in planning activities, especially during school holidays with older children. She explains that activities must meet the needs of all the children present, and older children embrace this, thus developing their understanding and appreciation of younger children. Children's achievements are celebrated. For example, when a child is able to complete a simple puzzle, praise and encouragement is offered, this is noted and other children celebrate this achievement at the end of the day and with the parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder's understanding of each child’s stage of development means the youngest children are confident enough to try out new skills, ask for help when needed and set their own limits within the safe environment. She ensures that children have an extensive range of experiences within the setting and she also takes the children to toddler groups and on trips to the park where children thoroughly enjoy exploring the large equipment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children arrive happy and eager to participate. The children make excellent progress because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. Close and caring relationships with the childminder increase children’s sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. High quality adult-child interactions are extremely supportive of early communication skills and the childminder echoes children's speech and supplements early speech. This ensures that children know that their communication is valued and very effectively increases their self esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Right from the start, the childminder finds out about children’s skills, interests and needs and builds on this information effectively to help children achieve as much as they can. She is very sensitive to the needs of the children from a range of home circumstances. A flexible approach to planning and an excellent balance between adult-led and child-led activities allows children to learn at their own pace. The childminder is perceptive to children’s interests during self-initiated play and uses questions very successfully to challenge children’s thinking and language skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident in their environment because the childminder strives to ensure that their individual needs are met. Children begin to develop an understanding of the wider community and develop respect for others. This is developed through play and resources reflective of equal opportunities issues. The childminder has had limited experience of caring for a child with learning difficulties or disabilities, however, she is willing to work with parents to provide appropriate care in accordance with the child's specific needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a range of strategies in place to manage children's behaviour. Such as, diverting attention and distraction, which works well. Children behave very well because of the childminder's realistic expectations, in which she considers the age and stage of the individual child. She is positive and consistent in her approach and her very good use of praise and encouragement helps build children's self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Very successful relationships have been developed with parents to ensure that the childminder has a good, working knowledge and understanding of the needs of individual children. Daily verbal information is shared effectively and the childminder ensures parents are aware of their child's care throughout the day, including what they have eaten and what activities they have

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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 done. The range of records and policies in place supports this partnership working, however there is no complaints log in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a very well organised environment in which they feel at home and at ease, which helps them gain confidence and develop independence. The childminder is fully aware of the children's individual needs and provides a rich stimulating environment in which children develop a breadth of skills. They are cared for according to their needs because the childminder uses the information she holds effectively to promote their well-being.

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Organisation

Documentation is in place, which support and compliment her childminding. This is stored to ensure accessibility and confidentially. There is a wide range of policies and procedures in place. these are shared with parents at the initial visit, which ensures parents are aware of the details of her childminding practice. Since the last inspection, the childminder has completed a programme of training, which reflects her commitment and professional approach to the children in her care.

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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

Recommendations raised at the last inspection referred to ensuring children have access to a range of resources which reflect positive images of culture and ethnicity. This has been fully addressed by the childminder. There is a range of resources available to promote equality and reflective of the society in which we live. In addition she accesses the local library and develops children's wider knowledge and understanding.

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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. There are no complaints to report.

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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):

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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 • ensure a complaints log is introduced to comply with current in legislation.

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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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