Childminder in North Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

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310090 Unique Reference Number 03 September 2007 Inspection date Cathryn Parry 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 outstanding. 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 2000. She lives with her husband and three children aged 16, 13 and 11 years in the residential area of Cullercoats in North Shields. The two rooms at the rear of the childminder's house, kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor are used for childminding. There is fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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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 six children aged under eight years. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and runs the local childminder drop in group. The family has a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. All children flourish as they access excellent opportunities for physical play, which is further promoted by the childminder's infectious enthusiasm. These include visiting a soft play area weekly, regular walks and music and movement sessions. They also enjoy trips to the local park where the childminder encourages children to be fully involved, including running up and down

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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 the undulating ground and accessing more challenging climbing equipment. They have easy access to a wide range of resources to support their physical development. Examples of these are a slide, trampoline and sit and ride toys. The childminder also organises imaginative experiences, such as a mini Olympics to encourage exercise whilst having fun. This enables children to develop muscle tone and coordination. They are active or restful through choice and babies sleep, in-line with their individual needs and parents and carers wishes. The childminder actively manages a superb balance of meeting parental wishes and encouraging healthy food options, such as fresh fruit, wholegrain bread and brown rice. Parents and carers are provided with information regarding nutritious provisions to include in their children's

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Helping children to be healthy

packed lunches, should they choose to provide them. Consequently, this has a positive impact on encouraging good lifestyle habits. Children have a growing awareness of what is beneficial to eat, which is fostered through positive discussions and interesting activities with the childminder. Examples of this are where she encourages them to make fruit salad and smoothies, as well as growing their own vegetables. Children have free access to drinking water, which quenches their thirst and benefits their health. The childminder always promotes really good healthy lifestyle habits, including discouraging crisps, biscuits and sweet drinks.

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Helping children to be healthy

All children can participate fully in activities as the premises and equipment are immaculate. Children are actively encouraged to be involved with the washing of toys outside. The childminder promotes very good practice to prevent the spread of infection and keep children healthy. For example, she follows an excellent procedure when changing nappies, including wearing disposable gloves. Children are learning about the importance of good personal hygiene and are becoming increasingly independent in their personal care. They are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet, as well as using liquid soap and paper towels. This is complemented with planned activities, such as learning about dental hygiene through a variety of experiences during national smile week. A clear sickness policy offers parents and carers information about exclusion periods for children who are unwell, ensuring

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Helping children to be healthy

children are not placed at risk of infection and illness. All relevant documentation with regard to health, including specific dietary needs and consent forms are in place and up to date. These positively safeguard children’s well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. All children are meticulously safeguarded as the childminder’s home is really secure at all times. This is supplemented with extremely effective procedures for adults collecting children, including the use of a password system. The play room is decorated with children's art work and low-level pictures and posters for them to enjoy. Large windows in the quiet room enable children to benefit from natural light whilst playing indoors. They are able to explore confidently using high quality resources appropriate to their age and stage of development. These are purchased through reputable suppliers and conform to British and European safety standards. The outdoor play space is very safe, secure and well-maintained enabling children to participate in activities fully. All children who go on outings are kept very safe as the childminder carries out risk assessments and is vigilant. This is complemented with the use of age-appropriate restraints

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and wrist bands with contact details. Children's knowledge about personal safety is encouraged extremely well as they participate in 'stranger danger' activities and fire drill practises. These are complemented with organised events, such as visits to the childminder drop in group, which is run by the childminder. Here she invites the crossing patrol officer to visit and provides a pretend road for children to practice road safety activities on. This positively contributes to children developing a sense of danger and how to keep themselves safe. Discussion regarding

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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 the safety of others also plays a part in the children's learning, for example, ensuring younger children do not have access to toy with small parts. Consequently, their overall understanding of safety issues is being fostered really well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All children experience excellent levels of supervision and all safety equipment is in place to ensure hazards are reduced. This includes electrical socket covers, fire blankets, a range of appropriate car seats and smoke detectors. The latter are tested regularly and the checks logged. Regular risk assessments both indoors and out, minimise the risk of accidental injury effectively. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she holds current first aid and food hygiene certificates as well as having a secure understanding of child protection issues in-line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The childminder also has comprehensive files containing an extensive range of policies and procedures to safeguard children very well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. All children really enjoy their time with the childminder and are eager to participate in the wide variety of activities provided. These include healthy baking activities, collecting natural resources to make collage pictures and sharing a range of books. They are very happy, settled and relate really well to the childminder, as she joins in with their play. An excellent balance of child-centred and adult-led experiences ensures appropriate challenge for their age and stage of development. Children have brilliant opportunities to socialise with others and increase their general knowledge as they attend childminder drop in groups and enjoy trips in the local community. Examples of this are where they go to the library, shops and the roman fort. Practical, worthwhile daily activities provide very good opportunities for the children to develop skills in each of the areas

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of learning. These include matching pairs of socks as they help to sort the washing and helping to cut the fruit for snack time. The childminder records children's progress on a daily basis and uses this information to inform her future planning. She has a secure knowledge of the individual, and plans and provides activities that will meet their needs and interests effectively. An example of this is where a child was curious about trains, so the childminder organised a trip to the railway museum, made train pictures and provided associated books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to make their own choices, select their own materials and activities, which motivate them to learn and sustains their interest. The childminder regularly extends experiences and encourages the children to be actively involved in their planning. One instance of this is where she had arranged a pirates day at the beach and the children decided they would like to make mermaid necklaces out of shells. This inspires children to be creative and increases their knowledge of the natural world. The childminder has a sound understanding of the Foundation Stage and clearly demonstrates how she supports children’s learning through a wide range of play experiences, both inside and out. She also implements the 'Birth to three matters' framework to meet the needs of younger children who listen and respond to rhymes with actions. Babies relish in sensory experiences as they are encouraged to explore a variety of textures and sounds.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Their interest is encouraged through a wide variety of man-made and natural resources. All children have the opportunity to experience a multi-sensory room at the leisure centre. Consequently, the range of activities they enjoy is broadened. They delight in using their imagination, for instance when using the toy shopping trolley to take the dolls for a walk, using the till in the pretend shop and playing at being a travel agent. The childminder has a good knowledge of child development. This means that children’s personal, social and intellectual development is very well supported. They thrive in this highly stimulating, relaxed and homely environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. A short induction period, including visits with parents and carers, enables children to settle well into the new environment. These are very effective as they are tailored to meet individual needs and family circumstances. Extremely thoughtful support is given, which nurtures children’s independence appropriately for their age and stage of development. This includes giving children opportunities to move onto the next stage, for instance by providing a step to use in the bathroom, encouraging to progress from managing buttons to zip fastenings and using a range of equipment, such as the blender. The childminder’s very confident approach to equal opportunities actively contributes to children’s positive attitudes to the wider community. This is complemented with access to a wide selection of resources showing positive images of people from different cultures and those with disabilities. These include a wealth of books, puzzles,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

posters, dolls and small world figures. Children also celebrate a wide range of different festivals, such as Chinese New Year, Buda day, Divali and Christmas. Consequently, their awareness and understanding of difference is effectively raised. The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities and has attended a range of associated training. She also encourages children to accept differences and to adapt their play and behaviour accordingly. An example of this is where they learn makaton sign language in order to communicate well with another child. This results in a very inclusive environment, which is enhanced by her extremely positive attitude.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A very effective partnership with parents and carers ensures individual needs are met well, which promotes stability. Detailed information is shared with parents and carers on a daily basis verbally. They also receive written diaries, which contain photographs of their children participating in activities. Consequently, they are very well informed of the care provided. The childminder has a range of written information for parents, including factual leaflets and a welcome pack describing the service she provides. She also encourages feedback from parents and carers in order to constantly improve the care provided. They are encouraged to be involved in the setting, for instance, by sponsoring events, such as the 'Barnardo’s big toddle' and by dressing their children in red for 'Red nose day'. The childminder uses a really positive and consistent approach to managing behaviour, which takes into account children's understanding

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and maturity. Children are encouraged to consider the consequences of their words and actions for themselves and others. She gives children clear boundaries, which they respond well to. These are discussed with parents and carers at the induction to promote continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children’s play opportunities are maximised through the effective organisation of space, time and resources. The use of a play room and quiet room enables children to play alone or with others. They also have space to enjoy role play with appropriately sized furniture and craft activities, such as hand printing. The flexible routine incorporates time to visit a range of places of interest, including opportunities to interact with other children. Experiences are planned for each day, however, the childminder has an excellent understanding of the flexibility needed to meet children's changing moods and interests. The toys and resources are extremely well organised in easily accessible baskets, which are labelled with pictures. A further book of pictures has been developed to enable children to choose from the larger range of resources, which can not be out all the time. Consequently, they have access to an extensive variety of toys.

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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 The childminder's thirst for ongoing training and further personal development has an extremely positive effect on the very high quality of care provided. This is further confirmed with the completion of a quality assurance scheme. Her portfolio evidences her commitment to providing excellent childcare. Effective policies and procedures are well organised into each of the five outcomes. She liaises with other childminder's to discuss current childminding issues and to provide a support system. In addition, she constantly strives to improve her childminding practice with a truly professional and passionate approach to providing an outstanding level of childcare.

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Organisation

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 previous inspection the provider was asked to continue to develop the good childcare practice. She has attended a range of training, which has a positive impact on children's overall well-being.

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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. 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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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