Childminder in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for early years provision

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318941 Unique Reference Number 06 June 2007 Inspection date Julie, Anne Swan 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 was registered in 1995. She lives with her partner and three adult children in the Gosforth area of Newcastle. Most of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends parent/toddler groups and takes children to the local park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding six children who attend on a variety of full and part-time arrangements.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into a friendly, warm and clean home environment where they are able to learn the importance of good personal hygiene from an early age, through well organised routines and practice. They know to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating

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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 meals or snacks. The children are protected from infection because the childminder is well informed about their health and employs suitable methods to prevent infections spreading, such as implementing her sick child policy. Information is shared with parents relating to any aspect of their child's health and she values and respects parents' wishes. Sound procedures are in place for recording children's accidents or administering medication and parents countersign the entry, this impacts positively on the children's health and well-being. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and is confident she can deal with any minor accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet. They enjoy home cooked meals, which have been planned in advance to meet their preferences and dietary needs. Meals include all the food groups and are healthy and nutritious. The childminder encourages the children to make choices from a range of healthy options for desert, for example, on the day of inspection the children were offered yoghurt or fruit. Children are secure in the knowledge they can ask for more food and drinks to satisfy their appetite. Children can access drinks at all times throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an appropriate range of physical activities which contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Younger children are able to rest as required and are stimulated according to their needs. Children's health and development are very well promoted through their participation in a variety of stimulating physical activities. They are developing control of their bodies and acquire a wide range of skills through regular opportunities for outdoor activities. These include visits to the local park and walking to collect and pick up other children from the local school. Their hand and eye coordination and large motor skills are developing well as they play football and skittles. All children are able to fully participate in the activities because the childminder uses her experience and knowledge of child development to adapt these to a suitable level. Children are well supported by the childminder, promoting their confidence to try out new skills and

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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 safe and well-maintained environment. The childminder safeguards children's welfare by having a good awareness of safety. An effective visual risk assessment is carried out on the premises, toys and activities to ensure potential risks are identified and minimised. However, the safety of low level glass in a recently acquired piece of furniture has not been verified. Space and resources are organised to allow free space for the children to enjoy and access safely. Children benefit from an effective range of safety measures, for example, cupboard locks, stair gates, socket covers and a range of fire safety equipment. Children's knowledge of emergency evacuation is extended through discussions but fire evacuation drills are not practised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about keeping themselves safe both in and out of the home. They learn about acceptable behaviour and the impact this has on their safety, for example, children know to hold hands or the buggy when out of the home and to stay together, always in sight of the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to well-maintained, developmentally appropriate toys and equipment. These are selected according to their age and ability to ensure they gain maximum benefit and can play safely with them. Well thought out activities ensure the children's safety at all times. Children are able to play and take risks in a safe and controlled environment with suitable adjustments made to meet all their needs.

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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 Children are well protected from possible abuse or neglect. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to protect the children in her care and has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms to look for and the procedures she needs to adhere to if a concern about a child arose.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are offered a wide range of opportunities and activities both in the home and outside, which encourages and enables them to become more independent through new experiences and challenges. The fully enclosed garden results in children having access to outdoor toys, which helps to promote their gross motor skills. Although activities are pre-planned, these are very much subject to the needs and choices of the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are good systems in place for evidencing opportunities undertaken as examples of photographs depicting outings, themed activities and outdoor play are available. The childminder also maintains a scrap-book for each child in which examples of children's art and craft work is stored. Activities, in the main, centre around themes, such as seasons and cultural festivals, and as a result children learn about the wider world. A wide range of age-appropriate toys, resources and play materials are available. These enable the children to experience physical play, art and craft activities, as well as having access to many books. Children are able and encouraged to make independent choices regarding play, with the childminder playing with them to broaden their opportunities and learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder organises her day well and as a result is able to spend quality time with the children so they benefit from her full support and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are taken into the community to attend various groups and to visit places of interest. This enables them to have a wide range of activities and opportunities and to increase their awareness of the local area. It also enables the children to have a wider circle of friends and to gain new experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder promotes equal opportunities by offering care to all children irrespective of gender, race, culture and ability. She makes parents aware of this by including her policy within the portfolio. Activities and opportunities ensure all children are included should they choose.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are asked to supply information about their child's daily routines. As far as possible these are followed closely to enable children to have continuity and to feel comfortable in their surroundings. Parents supply the childminder with extremely favourable written comments regarding the services offered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a clear written behaviour management policy. Children behave well, as they have time together, play alone or have quiet time if they wish. Any behaviour problems are fully discussed with parents, resulting in children learning right from wrong in a gentle and calm manner. The children are guided by the childminder in their play, although they are encouraged to be more independent in choosing for themselves.

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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 outstanding. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend. All of the required documentation is in place and is exceptionally well maintained, organised and presented. Robust policies and procedures are used most effectively to promote the children's development and well-being.

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Organisation

The childminder has a very strong commitment to the continuous development of her childminding practice to provide a high quality service. She keeps abreast of current issues in child care by accessing training which ensures she is well informed and up to date with new developments. Children benefit greatly from this as the childminder uses the skills and knowledge gained to further enhance children's all round development and learning.

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Organisation

Children move freely around the main rooms used under the childminder's close supervision, and are most at ease within the childminding environment. They are taken on frequent outings and have ample opportunity for exercise. Parents are kept well informed of their child's progress and day to day activities, and are actively encouraged to keep the childminder up to date with relevant information. This enables her to continue to best meet the evolving needs of the individual children for whom she cares.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection an action relating to safety was raised. A large area of low level glass has now been replaced with safety glass ensuring children can play safely. A recommendation relating to documentation was also raised. The childminder has developed an operational file which includes comprehensive policies for ensuring children's welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection 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): • develop fire evacuation procedure further to include regular drills

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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 • verify safety of low level glass accessible to children.

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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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