Childminder in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for early years provision

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319066 Unique Reference Number 13 June 2007 Inspection date Sharon, Amelia Robson 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 family in a quiet residential area of South Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne. The property is within walking distance to local schools, parks and activity centres. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor, with the exception of the ground floor bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a pet cat. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years and at present has four children on roll. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and a qualified teacher.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health and well-being are promoted through good, flexible daily routines that help them understand about being healthy. Children are made aware of good personal hygiene through positive role modelling provided by the childminder. She actively encourages children

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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 to wash hands at appropriate times. Comprehensive policies and procedures are in place, including a policy regarding the admission of a sick child, which helps to minimise the risk of cross infection and, therefore, safeguards children's health. Accident and medication recording systems are in place and the childminder is clear on how to maintain these. She has completed relevant first aid training and has access to a suitable first aid kit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has very good knowledge of healthy and nutritious foods and diets. She has detailed information about children's individual dietary needs, including their likes and dislikes. Mealtimes are seen as a social occasion where the childminder and children sit together chatting and enjoying each other's company. Children can access their drinks throughout the day, which helps to promote their independence and freedom of choice. Children have opportunities to participate in cookery activities which are appropriate to their age and abilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in a wide range of activities that further contribute to their good health, such as walks in the local community, to school and the local park where they can use the facilities to confidently develop their physical skills. They have opportunities to play ball games, visit soft play centres and have access to high quality outdoor equipment in the garden; this enables them to develop large motor skills including climbing, jumping and balancing. Children are given lots of positive encouragement by the childminder to enjoy the outdoor environment and physical activities.

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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 very safe and secure environment. The home is very well organised and maintained, giving children opportunities to explore and select activities and resources safely. A very good range of safety equipment is available and in use, taking into account the age of the children being cared for. A very comprehensive written safety policy is in place, which includes the safe evacuation of the home. However, this is not practised with the children. Through very thorough risk assessments, the childminder ensures that all areas accessed by children are extremely safe. The childminder has a very good understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits, which allows children to learn some sense of danger within the safe environment. The childminder takes opportunities to talk to the children about road safety when out walking and discusses pedestrian crossings and how to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a very wide range of good quality equipment, appropriate to their age and stage of development. It is regularly monitored to ensure it is safe and well maintained. Toys and resources are replaced, updated and added to on a regular basis. The childminder reads relevant publications to ensure she keeps up to date with any changes in legislations and information regarding both health and safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted by the childminder who has a very good understanding of local child protection procedures and her role in safeguarding children. She has comprehensive written policies and procedures and relevant publications that help to support her practice.

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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 thoroughly enjoy their time at the childminder's home; they are very happy and settled. They achieve well because the childminder uses her very good knowledge to provide high quality care. Children have very positive relationships with the childminder, confidently approaching her for assistance and comfort. Children's confidence and self-esteem is given high priority as they are offered praise and acknowledgement for their efforts and achievements. Their independence is promoted as they make their own choices and decisions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's learning is developed through an extensive range of stimulating activities and resources. For example, using lots of art and craft materials and dressing-up clothes for imaginative play. The childminder interacts well with the children, giving them lots of attention, encouragement and motivation to play and enjoy activities. Children are able to select toys and activities from the extremely well resourced playroom. Children are enthusiastic as they use their natural sense of curiosity and develop their imagination. They have opportunities to learn and develop their understanding of numbers, shapes and colours in age-appropriate and fun ways. For example, they learn counting rhymes and songs. Children's artwork is clearly displayed in the playroom and parents are kept informed about their child's day and activities experience, from daily discussion and photographs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has flexible written plans for activities and outings; she uses her sound knowledge of childcare to ensure these are appropriate to the children's ages and stages of development. She also gives older children opportunities to say what they would like to do and places they would like to visit. All activities are flexible in order to accommodate children's individual needs and take into account how they are feeling at the time. The childminder monitors activities and outings and evaluates how successful they have been.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder work very closely with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met. Close and caring relationships increase children's sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of belonging. Children are valued and respected as individuals and the childminder's aim is to ensure all children feel welcome, happy and settled in her care. She strives to help children reach their full potential and meet their needs. Children have access to a wide range of resources that reflect positive images of diversity and differences, including books and small world toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave extremely well, in a very calm and friendly environment. They learn about sharing and valuing others by the very positive role modelling provided by the childminder, and the consistent boundaries in place. She gently and sensitively supports and encourages children in their daily routines and activities. This enables them to develop their self-esteem, confidence and sense of belonging. Children benefit from a childminder who is committed to giving them her time and full attention. They respond well to guidance from the childminder and the very good range of age-appropriate strategies she has in place for dealing with children's behaviour, including distraction, discussion and explanation.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A very good partnership with parents contributes significantly to children's well-being. Parents are given a wealth of information at the onset of a placement; this includes access to the childminder's comprehensive written policies and procedures. This ensures parents are made to feel welcome and are well informed about the service provided. Daily chats keep parents up

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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 to date with their child's progress and welfare. Feedback from parents via letters and cards is extremely positive and comment on how happy they have been with the care provided and how their children have developed and been very happy with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is greatly enhanced by the very good organisation and the effective health and safety measures taken. They have access to a wide range of resources and stimulating activities, which effectively meet their individual needs. Children benefit from being in the care of a skilled childminder, who has regard for the well-being of all the children she cares for. The adult to child ratio positively supports children's care, learning and play.

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Organisation

The childminder has sound knowledge of child development and keeps up to date by reading relevant publications. All required documentation is in place and regularly reviewed, which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being. The recording systems in place are organised effectively, are confidentially maintained and are supplemented by relevant parental consents and contracts. The childminder has comprehensive written policies and procedures and activity plans.

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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 she had written parental permission for outings and for seeking emergency treatment. She now has both of these in place, which enhances her policies and adds to children's well-being.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 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.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which can be seen 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 the evacuation procedures to ensure the procedure is practised regularly with the children.

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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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