Childminder, Out-of school day care in Darlington

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 301098 Inspection date 31 August 2005 Inspector Elizabeth Blenkhorn

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 February 1988. She lives with her family in a house on the north side of Darlington. It is close to local amenities which include shops, schools and a park. The ground floor of the house, except the bedroom, the bathroom and one bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one 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 and is currently caring for six children on a part time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. She attends local parent and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children follow effective procedures and practices that meet their physical, nutritional and health needs. The good adult support and guidance helps children gain understanding of hygiene and become increasingly independent in their personal care, for example as they wash their hands before meals and after use of the toilet. The childminder has implemented sound hygiene routines to protect children from illness and the spread of infection. Children enjoy a broad range of physical activities that contribute to their good health. Daily activities include opportunities for children to be outdoors, for example in the garden and visits to the park. They develop control of their bodies as they ride on wheeled toys, dig in the garden and use a range of equipment to help them develop their manipulative skills, such as threading and cutting. Children are able to rest and be active according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's nutritional needs are well met. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children's choices to provide nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to the children and meet their individual requirements. They are encouraged to try a variety of foods, including fresh home grown fruits to increase their awareness of a range of tastes, as a result they learn to enjoy nutritious food as part of a healthy lifestyle.

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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 well organised, warm and welcoming environment. Good organisation of space and resources and daily checks ensure children have room to move around freely, safely and independently. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children's safety outside the home. For example, by being a positive role model, talking to them and explaining road safety. Equipment and resources are well organised and at child level, which allows them to make choices and direct their own play. Toys are available for all ages and in sufficient quantities to ensure children enjoy a wide range of activities to promote all areas of development. The childminder has most of the required documentation, records and procedures in place to ensure the children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. Children are well protected. The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities with

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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 settle well at the childminder's home. They enter confidently and make themselves at home. The childminder provides an interesting, broad range of activities, both indoors and outdoors, which take account of children's individual interests and developing needs. Consistent support and meaningful praise encourages children to become increasingly independent, to learn what they can do and know when to ask for help, for example when planting and growing flowers and fruits. Children's self-esteem is developing as a result of the childminder encouraging and praising them and valuing what they have to offer. Good relationships are evident between the childminder and the children, contributing to the children's sense of belonging. The childminder has established care routines that are consistent with the children's own home routines. This promotes their sense of security and develops

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder actively promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, resulting in all children feeling valued and free from discrimination. They access a varied range of activities and resources that help to raise their awareness of diversity and value each others similarities. The childminder uses positive strategies for managing behaviour taking account of children's ages, stages and level of understanding. This helps the children understand the boundaries, play together, help each other and behave well. Children benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has developed with their parents. The childminder actively seeks parents' views about their children's needs when they register their child, and on a regular basis after that. Parents are kept verbally informed about their child's progress and achievements. This enables the childminder to meet each child's individual needs and parents' wishes for their

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home in the well organised environment. This means they are confident and can initiate their own learning. Space, both indoors and outdoors, is set out to maximise play opportunities for children. They are able to move around safely, confidently and independently. The childminder has completed relevant training. This has increased her knowledge and skills and allowed her to develop her practice. She is committed to improving the

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 service and seeks ways to enable her to do this. Most policies and procedures are in place to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. However, not all parental consents are in place and accident records do not always contain parental signatures. However, they are shared regularly with parents to keep them well informed about their child's activities and the service. This contributes to the continuity of the children's care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure all required documentation was available for inspection and to complete relevant first aid training. The childminder had most relevant documentation in place and readily available for inspection and has up-to-date relevant first aid training. The improved documentation and first aid training has improved children's well-being, care and development.

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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): • ensure all accident records contain parents signature and that written parental consent is obtained when they request that their child be able to play away from the registered premises when in the childminders' care.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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