Childminder in South Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

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305524 Unique Reference Number 23 August 2007 Inspection date Sharon Greener 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 was registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and children aged six, 12 and 16 years in the Fulwell area of Sunderland. The whole of the ground floor, except the utility room and the bathroom and one bedroom located on the first floor of the childminder's house, is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding seven children under eight years. All of the children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks children to and from nursery and school and uses her car to transport children on occasions. She attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the local Childminder Support Network Group and occasionally attends meetings. The family has a pet dog.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder ensures that the childminding environment is very well maintained and high standards of hygiene are evident throughout the home. This is achieved through regular cleaning and decorating routines. The childminder presents as a positive role model to the children. Children are actively encouraged to adopt suitable personal hygiene practices. For example, hand washing before eating, after visiting the toilet and following outdoor play. The childminder has a clear understanding of related policies and procedures. She is fully aware of the action to be taken regarding the care of a sick child and the administration of medication. This helps to promote and preserve children's health and welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Catering arrangements are very flexible so as to meet the wishes of the parents and carers. The childminder works very closely with them to ensure that any dietary requirements a child may have are very well met. Such requirements are discussed in detail with parents and carers and relevant information is recorded on children's individual personal records. The childminder has previous experience of catering for children with specific dietary needs, such as a nut allergy. She shows a very good understanding of the need to promote healthy eating. Children are offered fresh fruit and vegetables on a daily basis and are encouraged to try new foods. Suitable drinks are provided as appropriate throughout the day. Babies are fed in keeping with their individual routines and the childminder supports parents and carers during the weaning process. Information about children's individual health needs is obtained from parents and carers and

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Helping children to be healthy

recorded. This helps promote and preserve children's health and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder acknowledges the benefits of fresh air and exercise to enhance children's physical development and well-being. Weather permitting, children have daily opportunities for outdoor play in the garden and a very good selection of equipment is provided to enable children to develop and enhance their physical skills. Children are taken on frequent walks and outings, for example, to the beach, soft play facilities, adventure playgrounds, parks and green areas. When playing outdoors during sunny weather, the childminder ensures that children wear hats and that sun cream is applied regularly. All children are able to rest or sleep according to their individual needs. This helps to promote their physical development and good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has a very good understanding of the policies and procedures to be used to help remove or minimise risks to children. She has completed a home safety course and completes a visual risk assessment of the rooms, resources and equipment to be used, before children's arrival each day. This process is ongoing throughout childminding hours and helps keep children safe. Childminding areas are very well maintained and used effectively to accommodate children's play. Children are very closely supervised by the childminder and are able to move freely and independently around the childminding environment within the constraints of safety. Suitable safety equipment is in place, for example, socket covers, safety gates, fireguards, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and a fire blanket. This helps maintain a safe environment for the children and reduces the risk of accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder helps to raise children's awareness of danger and the need to preserve their own safety and that of others. She does this by talking to children about matters such as 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 need to use toys and resources safely. For example, children are gently reminded of the rules when using the trampoline in the garden and respond positively. The childminder has a clear understanding of the need to supervise children very closely at all times, particularly during outings. She discusses relevant matters with the children, such as road safety, not approaching strangers and the need to stay very close to her at all times. This helps keep children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder shows a very good awareness of her responsibilities with regard to safeguarding children. She speaks to parents and carers about the action she would take if she had a concern about a child's welfare and a comprehensive written policy is shared with them. A copy of the recommended child protection literature and the contact details for the Local Safeguarding Children Board are available for reference purposes. This helps her to protect children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has completed training in respect of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses this very well to support her care of younger children. She has a very good understanding of the individual abilities and needs of all of the children placed in her care. This is obtained through her ongoing communication with parents, carers and the children and through her own observations of the children. A record of some observations, photographs and information regarding the developmental progress is kept for children under three years. This information is shared with respective parents and carers. The childminder ensures that children receive recognition and praise for their abilities and achievements. This helps to nurture children's positive self-esteem. The childminder builds very close, warm relationships with the children and they are most relaxed and at ease in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children are able to take part in a wide variety of activities and learning experiences. For example, indoors, children enjoy completing jigsaw puzzles, drawing, painting, building with construction-type toys and playing with a wooden train set and other small world resources. During play in the garden, two children observe and discuss the snails they collect. All children are able to participate in activities at their own level and achieve at their own pace within the very warm, supportive environment. Children are very active and interested in the activities and resources made readily accessible to them. Their independence skills are very well nurtured in accordance to their age and ability. Children are able to make choices about their play and self-select resources with confidence. For example, several children choose to play a board game together. The childminder ensures that a very good balance of adult-led activities is

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

included in the daily routine for children, such as story telling, baking, special craft activities and outings to places of interest.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has very good understanding of the need to promote equality of opportunity and presents as a positive role model to the children. A suitable selection of resources is provided to help raise children's awareness of diversity. The childminder discusses relevant matters with older children in a positive manner so as to further promote their understanding of diversity. The childminder has no previous experience of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities. However, she has completed basic training to help raise her awareness of caring for children with such needs.

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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 The childminder shows a very good understanding of behaviour management. She uses age-appropriate behaviour management strategies in a very calm and consistent manner. For example, distraction tactics are used with very young children. The childminder acknowledges the importance of recognising and praising children's good behaviour so as to reinforce and promote such behaviour. Children respond positively to her and their behaviour is very good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works very closely with parents and carers to introduce children to her home. Parents and carers visit the childminder a number of times with their children. This enables them and their children to become familiar with the childminder, her family and her home. This process of gradual introduction helps children to settle very well. The childminder talks to parents and carers about the policies and procedures she uses and written policy documents are shared with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Pertinent information about the children is gleaned from parents and carers and recorded on children's individual records. The childminder uses regular verbal feedback to keep parents and carers very well informed of their child's progress and the events of the day. Respective parents and carers have access to their child's records and are asked to keep the childminder up-to-date with any relevant information that might impact upon the care of their child. This enables the childminder to ensure that children's evolving needs continue to be very well met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a very good understanding of policies and procedures. She uses these efficiently to ensure that children are very well cared for and that their individual needs are met effectively. The vast majority of the required documentation is in place and is very well organised and presented. However, written consent in respect of the seeking of emergency medical treatment is not in place for one child and the time of arrival for two children was not entered in the record of children's attendance. This does not effectively support operational procedures. The childminder is well aware of the complaints procedure and a suitable method of managing and recording such information is in place should this be required.

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Organisation

The childminder shows an ongoing commitment to the continued development of her good practice through her willingness to seek out and complete relevant training. For example, she has completed training in relation to the 'Birth to three matters' framework, supporting vulnerable children and their families and holds a valid first aid certificate.

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Organisation

Very good use is made of the space available. One room in particular is very child orientated, with displays of children's artwork and information for parents and carers. It provides children with easy access to a wide range of resources and play materials which they self-select readily. This helps to promote and enhance their decision making and independence skills. 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 time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop procedures and record keeping systems and to further develop her knowledge of child protection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Appropriate procedures are in place to obtain and record relevant information from parents and carers. Any entry made in the accident record book is countersigned by the child's parent or carer. The childminder shows a very good understanding of her role in safeguarding children.

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Improvements 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 This helps to improve operational procedures, partnership with parents and carers and helps to keep children safe.

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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 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 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): • ensure that consent to seek emergency medical treatment is obtained from each child's parents or carers • ensure that an accurate record of children's attendance is kept at all times.

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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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