Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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313469 Unique Reference Number 08 August 2007 Inspection date Vivienne Dempsey 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and 10 years. The home is near to the centre of Peterlee and local amenities. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. The childminder uses the open green area at the front of her home for outdoor 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. Currently there are four children on roll. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a pet dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a child-friendly, clean environment. Children are beginning to learn about personal hygiene through daily routines. They are encouraged to wash their hands before meals and snacks, after toileting and touching animals. Paper towels are also provided for drying hands, so the risk of cross infection is minimised.

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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 childminder has good systems in place to record accidents and the administration of medication. Parents sign to acknowledge entries, further protecting children's health. A first aid box is in place, however, it is not regularly checked. This has the potential to hinder the childminder from acting promptly when children suffer minor accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a varied diet provided by the childminder. Fresh drinking water is available throughout the day preventing children from becoming thirsty. The children have good opportunities to take part in physical activity. For example, they regularly walk to the local park and school, and enjoy playing on the open green area at the front of the childminder's home.

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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 maintained, welcoming and comfortable home. This promotes their sense of security. There is a wide range of toys and resources, which promotes their all round development. Toys and resources are appropriate to the age and developmental needs of all children. These are checked and cleaned regularly to ensure they remain safe for children to use. Suitable furniture is available to meet the needs of very young children. For example, a small table and chairs so that children can engage in creative activities in comfort and sit together at meal times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A fire evacuation plan is in place and practised regularly. This helps develops children's awareness of fire safety. Children are protected because the childminder has a good understanding of her role in safeguarding them. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the appropriate procedures to follow if she has any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have a good relationship with the childminder, her family and peers. They are happy and settled, which contributes to their sense of belonging. The children have a busy time at the childminder's home as they benefit from a wide range of interesting activities, which promote their all round development. Such as, making picture frames, creating animals from a variety of pom-poms, pop-up pictures of clowns and ballerinas and playing with dough. A wide range of books are also available to support young children's learning. Children are happy and secure as a result of the childminder's praise and support.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder organises toys and resources to ensure they are readily accessible to children. This supports and develops children's independence, play and learning. Children show high levels of concentration and engage in chosen activities for long periods of time. This demonstrates that children are interested and motivated with the activities and resources the childminder provides.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are treated with equal concern. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues. She ensures that all children have equal access to the activities and facilities available. Children have access to a good range of toys and resources that promote diversity, such as books, a range of dolls dressed in their national costumes and play figures. Children are very well behaved; they are confident in their

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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 environment and respond well to the childminder. The childminder is proactive in welcoming children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure she meets the individual needs of all children. Parents are provided with an information booklet, which contains copies of the childminder's policies and procedures. This ensures they are well informed about the childminder's routines and childcare practices. There are daily opportunities for a two-way sharing of information; this ensures children's needs are continually well met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's needs are very well met because the childminder organises space and resources well to promote the children's welfare and learning. The childminder ensures all the required records, policies and procedures are maintained for the safe and efficient management of the service she provides. This results in the childminder effectively promoting the outcomes for children.

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Organisation

The childminder has a current first aid certificate. A record of attendance is in place and adult-to-child ratios are maintained. This ensures children's welfare is protected and appropriate care is provided.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop her knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues, ensure that suitable furniture is available to meet the needs of very young children; for example, a small table and chairs, so that children can engage in creative activities in comfort, sit together at meal times and increase the number of books available to young children. The childminder has now developed her knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues. She has ensured that suitable furniture is now available to meet the needs of very young children and a wide range of books are available to young children.

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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.

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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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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 first aid box is regularly checked and updated.

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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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