Childminder in Sunderland

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

305499 Unique Reference Number 03 October 2007 Inspection date Sharon Greener Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 17 years in the Monkwearmouth area of Sunderland. The whole of the ground floor, except the ground floor bedroom and the bathroom located on the first floor of the childminder's house, is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children under eight years. During term time, two of the children attend on a full-time basis and the other children attend on a part-time basis. During school holiday periods, four of the children attend on a full-time basis. The childminder walks children to and from school and nursery each day, and attends several carer and toddler groups on a regular basis each week. She is a member of the National Childminding Association, is part of the Sunderland sponsored childminding scheme and is a member of the Children Come First Childminding network in Sunderland.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminding environment is very well maintained and hygiene standards are very high. Children are actively encouraged to adopt good, personal hygiene practices. They hand wash at appropriate times, such as after visiting the toilet, following creative play or before eating. The childminder has a clear understanding of related policies and procedures, for example, the care of a sick child and the administration of medication. This helps to promote and preserve children's comfort and well-being.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is totally flexible regarding catering arrangements, so as to meet the wishes of the parents and carers. Children's specific dietary requirements and preferences are discussed with parents and carers in detail and relevant information is appropriately recorded. A healthy eating programme is promoted and sample menus are shared with parents and carers. Children are encouraged to eat a variety of nutritious foods, including fresh fruit and vegetables. Suitable drinks are accessible to children throughout the day. This helps promote and preserve children's health and welfare.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for physical play both indoors and outdoors. Weather permitting, they benefit from fresh air and exercise on a daily basis. They go on regular walks to parks and green areas and often visit the beach. A good variety of equipment is provided to enable children to develop and enhance their physical skills. For example, outdoors, children have access to a slide, bats, balls, tricycles, a tent, play tunnel and sit-and-ride toys. The childminder gives children lots of praise to help build their confidence and encourage them to test their physical abilities within a supportive environment. All children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs. This helps promote and preserve their well-being.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder makes effective use of procedures to help her to minimise or eliminate risks so as to keep children safe. Fire drills are carried out every three to four months and a record kept. The childminder has completed risk assessment training and conducts a daily visual risk assessment of the resources, equipment and the childminding areas before children's arrival each day. This process is ongoing throughout childminding hours. Children are able to move freely from room to room under her very close supervision. This helps keep children safe.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Resources and equipment are very clean and very well maintained. The childminder explains safety rules in simple terms to the children, such as the correct use of toys, road safety, not talking to strangers and staying close to her during outings. This helps them to develop an understanding of danger and to preserve their personal safety and that of others. Hazardous items are stored beyond children's reach and appropriate safety equipment is in place. For example, a fire guard, smoke detectors, a fire blanket and socket covers. This helps keep children safe. The childminder has a very good understanding of her role and responsibility in relation to safeguarding children from harm and has completed relevant training. A copy of the recommended literature and contact details for the Local Safeguarding Children Board are readily available for reference purposes. This helps to protect children from harm.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children build very close relationships with the childminder and respond positively to her. They are most relaxed and at ease in her care and very comfortable in her home. The childminder is fully aware of and responsive to children's individual needs. For example, their favourite activities, foods they like and dislike, and the sleep routines of younger children.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are animated and interested in the resources and activities made readily available to them. Their achievements and abilities are recognised and celebrated by the childminder. Children receive ample praise and their self-esteem is high. For example, the childminder readily praised a young child's ability to recognise and name several colours when playing with plastic building bricks. The childminder supports and reinforces children's development effectively through a good variety of activities and play experiences. Language, literacy and simple mathematic skills are very well supported through her ability to engage them in purposeful play, conversation and through every day tasks. For example, counting the biscuits at snack time. Children benefit from regular outings to places of interest, such as the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, the beach, the library and Newcastle Discovery Museum. These outings

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

help them to develop an awareness of their local environment and the wider world. Younger children are taken to the local playgroups on a regular basis each week.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a very good awareness of equal opportunity and has completed relevant training to help increase her understanding in this area. A suitable selection of resources and activities to aid in the promotion of equal opportunity and to raise children’s awareness of diversity are provided. For example, children acknowledge and celebrate various festivals from different culture, such as Chinese New Year. The childminder has some previous experience of caring for children with learning difficulties or a disability. She has completed training to support her in this aspect of care, for example, special needs awareness and sign language.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Age-appropriate behaviour management strategies are used in a calm and consistent manner. Younger children are distracted and older children are given gentle reminders of the ground rules. All children are given praise for good behaviour. They respond very positively to this and they are very well behaved. They show high self-esteem and increasing confidence. The organisation of the play space offers children independent access to a broad variety of resources and activities. This enables them to make choices and to develop their independence as appropriate to their age and ability.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Childminding policies, procedures and other general information are shared with parents and carers during the induction process. This includes some written policy statements, such as those relating to safeguarding children from harm and complaints. The registration certificate is clearly displayed. The childminder builds good relationships with parents and carers. She works closely with them to meet children's needs. Parents and carers are kept very well informed of their child's progress and daily activities through regular verbal feedback from the childminder. Very positive written feedback was received from them through cards and letters they had written, praising the childminder and the service she provides. In particular, they commented upon how happy their children are in her care, the very good variety of activities and resources offered to the children and the support and advice they receive from the childminder.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the children's welfare. The childminder is aware of the recent changes to the complaints procedure and has a good enough understanding of how to manage and record details of complaints should this be required. This information has been shared with parents. The required documentation is in place and is very well organised, up to date and well presented. However, parents and carers do not consistently countersign entries made in the accident and medication record books. This does not effectively support operational procedures. The childminder shows an ongoing commitment to the continued development of her skills and good practice. This is demonstrated through her willingness to undertake relevant training. For example, she has completed training in respect of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and ensures that her first aid certificate is renewed as required.

p.5

Organisation

Children have access to a varied range of age appropriate resources and activities to promote their all-round development. Parents and carers are actively encouraged to keep the childminder up to date with relevant information which may impact upon the care of their child. This enables the childminder to continue to meet children's evolving needs. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to review record keeping systems in relation to accidents so as to ensure confidentiality.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

A suitable system of recording details of accidents is in place and maintains confidentiality. This helps to improve operational procedures and partnership with parents and carers.

p.5

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 action in order to meet the National Standards.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 parents and carers consistently countersign each entry in the accident and medication record books.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.6