Pearson, Linda

Inspection report for early years provision

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318985 Unique Reference Number 17 May 2007 Inspection date Jayne Utting 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 1989. She lives in a semi-detached house in Kingston Park, a suburb of Newcastle. The house is close to local amenities, such as schools, parks and shops. She shares her home with her husband and adult child. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom are used for childminding purposes. There is also an enclosed garden to the rear of the property. The childminder is registered to provide care for up to five children under eight years of age and currently has eight children on roll. The family has a cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are very well cared for in a well presented, clean home where they begin to learn about the importance of good hygiene and personal care throughout their daily routine. Consistent adult support and guidance helps children gain a good understanding of hygiene. Older children are actively encouraged to become more independent in their personal care, using the bathroom independently and washing their hands without prompting. The childminder ensures all children have access to fresh towels and anti-bacterial hand wash reducing the risk of illness and cross

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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 infection. The childminder follows an effective nappy changing routine, ensuring changing mats are wiped down and nappies disposed of hygienically. A recent first aid certificate, clear written policy regarding sick children and the effective recording of emergency contacts, medication permission and accidents, promotes children's health and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of physical activities that contribute to their good health and help them gain increasing control over their bodies. Outdoor play is a regular feature of their care as they walk to the local shops, play in the back garden or enjoy trips to Wallington Hall. Children also have good supervised access to a range of large play equipment outside the house, such as slides and ride-on vehicles, ensuring there is ample opportunity to be active. All the children enjoy visits to the local soft play facilities. These experiences boost fitness levels and help teach children that exercise is fun.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a nutritious diet through the provision of snacks that are healthy and balanced. A clear written policy regarding healthy eating, combined with good ongoing communication with parents, ensures that the childminder has a clear understanding of the individual dietary needs of the children. Children enjoy a wide range of healthy foods including fresh fruit, raisins, vegetables, jacket potatoes, breadsticks and yoghurt and sit together at the table for this social occasion. Children have their own beakers and enjoy free access to drinks throughout the day. They are offered suitable drinks, such as water and fruit juice.

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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 home both indoors and out, where the risks are identified and minimised. Detailed risk assessments ensure that children are able to move around freely, safely and independently. Children are kept safe due to a combination of close supervision by the childminder and the appropriate use of safety equipment, such as socket covers, stair gates, smoke alarms, cupboard locks and radiator thermostats. Older children learn to keep themselves safe on the premises as the childminder gives them clear guidelines and sensitive reminders not to climb on furniture and to tidy up toys. Regular checks establish that sleeping children remain safe and well. There is an effective emergency evacuation procedure in place, which is practised regularly with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe when outdoors through the well thought out procedures that the childminder has in place. Babies are appropriately strapped in buggies, whilst older children hold hands when out walking and are encouraged to practise good road safety procedures. The childminder implements effective safety practices on outings, undertaking a detailed risk assessment beforehand, carrying a mobile phone and contact details, as well as taking other appropriate equipment, such as nappies, first aid kit, drinks and snacks. All children are restrained in appropriate car seats when being transported in the car. Written consents are in place for outings, the use of public transport and the car, ensuring children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The playroom is very well organised so that children have space to play freely and safely, with even the youngest being able to access a broad range of high quality toys and activities independently. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to make sure they are safe, stimulating and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected by the childminder who is confident and secure in her knowledge of child protection policies and procedures. She has recently attended a safeguarding children workshop to ensure her knowledge is up to date. This is reinforced through a clear 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 comprehensive policy, ensuring that children's welfare is protected. However, the policy does not currently include details of the procedure to be followed should an allegation be made against the childminder or another member of the household.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder plans and provides a broad range of stimulating and interesting activities both in and out of the home, which she adapts well to suit the age range of the children attending. Activities are purposeful and promote learning and development well. For example, they visit Beamish museum, the Laing Art gallery and Whitehouse farm and enjoy baking and a range of creative activities including painting, drawing and gluing. The childminder has recently attended a workshop on the 'Birth to three matters' framework and is beginning to incorporate this into her planning for activities. The childminder is very enthusiastic and fully involved with the children's activities. She helps and encourages them to move onto different activities, ensuring they are fully occupied and remain highly interested. Children have good opportunities to socialise with others through visits to a local childminder drop-in and soft play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Interaction between the children and childminder is excellent. The children learn that they are valued through the constant praise and encouragement she gives them and as a result, the children are secure, happy and settled. This close, caring relationship increases children's sense of trust and helps their developing sense of self.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Good role modelling helps children to celebrate diversity and develop a positive view of the wider world. Children are cared for as individuals with differences acknowledged and enjoyed. The children learn about other cultures through the celebration of festivals, such as Chinese New Year, Diwali and Eid. The childminder ensures that activities reflect the culture and background of all the children in her care. Children also learn about the community they live in through visits to local facilities including the shops and park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very positive attitude towards caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities and recognises this as an area for further professional development. She demonstrates a good understanding of the needs of individual children and is committed to working with parents and other professionals to ensure children's ongoing individual development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop self-confidence very well because they receive lots of praise and encouragement, and they respond very well to the childminder. She has realistic expectations of their behaviour and implements a good range of age appropriate strategies to promote good behaviour and help children learn right from wrong. They are encouraged to share, relate well to one another and behave well. The childminder is sensitive, patient, kind and understanding with children and they are responsive towards her. She ensures their individual needs are met by spending quality one-to-one time with each child. This enables the children to understand that they are valued and cared for as individuals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are promoted and developed well. Prospective parents receive a very informative pack which tells them about the setting, as well as the policies and procedures. Parents also receive information regarding the complaints procedure and the Ofsted helpline

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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 number. The childminder further ensures that parents are kept very well informed of their child's progress through verbal feedback. They are consulted about all aspects of the care provided and the childminder incorporates any requests into her service, whenever possible. Both parents and children have very positive views about the childminder and the excellent service she provides. They value her dedication and commitment and think her childminding practice is excellent.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are extremely well cared for and feel at home in a well organised home that keeps them safe and secure. Toys and resources are organised very effectively, enabling all children to access them independently, allowing them to make free choices about their play and learning. Children's art is displayed on the walls in the playroom, a reflection of how their contributions are valued and their self-esteem promoted.

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Organisation

Documentation is excellently organised, with children's individual files in place and all records up to date. Written policies and procedures and an information file for parents are all extremely detailed and informative. All confidential information is kept in a locked filing box. The childminder's registration certificate is prominently displayed in the playroom. All adults living in the house have undergone the relevant checks to ensure their suitability to be in close proximity of children and these are readily available in the childminder's file.

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Organisation

Children benefit immensely from the childminder's active involvement with local childminders and drop-in groups. The childminder has an extremely positive attitude towards her career and puts the maximum effort into the provision. This is reflected in her commitment to ongoing personal development. She has recently attended a number of relevant short courses, including safeguarding children, first aid, equality and diversity and manual handling. Regular monitoring and self evaluation ensures the childminder is constantly reviewing her practice, ensuring she provides the best opportunities for the children in her care.

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Organisation

The childminder's planning is excellent. She has a weekly planning sheet in place and ensures that the children are always actively engaged in fun and stimulating activities. 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 it was recommended that the childminder develop good practice further by providing written information for parents regarding policies and procedures, develop toys and resources for young children and give consideration to diversity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made good progress and addressed each of these areas well. She provides an extremely detailed and informative file for parents which includes information about the setting as well as copies of all the main policies and procedures. Children have access to a wide range of high quality, well maintained toys and resources, many of which reflect images of ethnicity, disability and other cultures including dolls, jigsaws, books and cooking utensils.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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): • update child protection policy to include the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against the childminder or another member of the household.

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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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