Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 313941 Inspection date 28 June 2005 Inspector Noreen Elizabeth Appleby

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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 was registered in 1990. She lives with her husband and two children, both of whom are over eight years, in a house approximately two miles from Newton Aycliffe town centre. There are schools, pre-schools and toddler groups nearby, as well as shops, parks and local amenities. All ground floor rooms are used for childminding purposes. Minded children may also access the children’s bedrooms and the spare bedroom. There are suitable toilet and hand-washing facilities on both floors. A fully enclosed garden is available for outdoor play.

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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 The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time. She is currently minding 4 children aged from 5 months to 6 years. She supports children who have special educational needs. The family has a pet guinea pig. The childminder walks to local schools and nursery to take and collect children. She also takes children to parent and toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's wellbeing is effectively met because the childminder includes good health and hygiene arrangements in her daily routines and relevant good practice is positively promoted with children. For example, high standards are maintained regarding home hygiene and children are learning the importance of good personal hygiene in keeping themselves healthy. Children also enjoy a broad range of healthy play activities, such as using good outdoor equipment, team games, visits to the park and interesting walks. Children's health and first aid requirements are adequately considered because relevant issues are fully discussed with parents and issues are recorded and observed. If children take ill, the childminder has good plans in place to act in their best interests. For example, she ensures emergency contact details for parents and carers are always readily available and she has written permission from parents for

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Helping children to be healthy

seeking emergency medical treatment and advice. She intends to develop her practices further by completing a relevant first aid certificate in the near future. Children’s dietary needs are well met because the childminder discusses catering arrangements thoroughly with parents. As a result, children receive regular drinks and a good range of healthy, well-balanced foodstuffs suited to their individual requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a warm, welcoming and very well organised environment because the childminder ensures premises are attractively set out to provide inviting, stimulating and accessible play areas for children. Children benefit greatly from a broad range of toys and equipment that is well suited to their individual needs and is effectively maintained and in a safe condition. Children’s safety is given high priority as a result of the childminder including effective practices in her daily routines and addressing issues thoroughly. For example, she uses suitable safety equipment well, she takes positive steps to minimise potential hazards, she has clearly identified a suitable emergency evacuation plan with the

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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 and she encourages children to keep themselves safe by moving around carefully and by using good road safety practices. She also maintains formal written outings and transportation agreements with parents. Children’s wellbeing is paramount in matters of child protection because the childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of issues and has adequate plans in place to keep children safe. She intends to develop her practices further by obtaining a copy of the local authority area child protection committee procedures and using these effectively to develop her personal knowledge and childminding practice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a broad range of enjoyable activities that build on their individual interests and extend their learning very well. For example, they have good opportunities for interesting outings and well-planned play activities that help them to develop good physical skills, language, imagination, mathematical skills and creativity. All children are developing confidence and independence because the childminder listens to them and values what they say. They have good opportunities to join in with discussions about activities they would like to do and to plan occasional outings, such as visits to toddler group, the park, soft play or interesting walks. All children are forming very good relationships with adults and peers. They play very well together, demonstrating care and concern for each other. They have obviously formed a very good relationship with the childminder, who asks and responds to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

questions to extend their learning and interacts very positively with them, offering good advice, support and care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s individual needs, including any special needs, are effectively met because the childminder works in close partnership with parents to ensure children's specific requirements are respected and thoroughly addressed. All children are developing confidence through having good opportunities to make choices and by contributing towards making decisions. For example, they talk about meals they enjoy, they self-select toys and books and they discuss planned activities and outings. They are also developing good personal skills by learning to manage their personal hygiene independently and through inclusive daily routines such as helping to set the table at mealtimes and helping to keep play areas tidy. Children are developing a good sense of community. For example, they enjoy outings to toddler group, the park and interesting walks in the local area. They also enjoy suitable opportunities to learn about gender issues, other cultures, differing abilities

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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 and various family backgrounds through appropriate activities and equipment that adequately promote equality of opportunity and diversity. Children’s on-going continuity of care is well met because partnership with parents is strong. For example, the childminder has formed sound working relationships with parents. She ensures relevant information is effectively shared with them through formal contracts and agreements and informal daily updates. Children are polite and well behaved because the childminder acts as a good role model and uses positive behaviour management methods that are well suited to children's ages and stages of maturity. For example she works confidently alongside the children, setting and calmly reinforcing realistic boundaries and providing children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

with good levels of support, encouragement and praise. As a result, children manage their behaviour well and are developing high self esteem.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and settled as a result of regular, but flexible, routines and a very well organised environment. All children are effectively supervised and supported, yet allowed to initiate and extend their own play and learning and to develop at their own pace. Children have individual files that are well used to record their personal details and other relevant information, which is backed up by formal policy statements and comprehensive documentation systems that are effectively maintained in line with the requirements of the National Standards. Children’s care, learning and play experiences are continually improved because of the childminder’s personal knowledge and skills and her positive attitude and commitment to her role. For example, she holds a recognised child care qualification and has plans in place to access further training courses to enhance her knowledge

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Organisation

and skills, thereby improving her child care practice. As a result, children thoroughly enjoy their time with her and they benefit from rich and rewarding experiences. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of the last inspection the childminder was recommended to improve the safety of the rear garden so that it could be accessed by children. The garden is now securely enclosed, pet areas are inaccessible to children, the pond is completely fenced off and play areas have been redesigned to provide a paved patio, grassed area and a bark-covered area for children's outdoor equipment. Children are now able to enjoy outdoor play activities in the garden.

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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

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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 that the child protection procedure complies with those of the local Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children

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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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