Childminder in Sunderland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 305472 Inspection date 09 September 2005 Inspector Jean Wilson

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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 1993. She lives with her husband and grown up family in the Newbottle area of County Durham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 7 children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to local parks and the library.

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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 family has a rabbit. The childminder supports children with special educational needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are kept clean and healthy in the home through the childminder's good understanding of health issues and the sensible hygiene routines in place. Children like and enjoy the drinks, snacks and meals provided as their needs and preferences are fully discussed with parents before they are cared for. Children are able to make individual choices from a good variety of suitable healthy foods on offer. They shop and learn to cook and prepare foods with the childminder. Milk and snacks provided by parents for their children are safely and sensibly stored in the fridge. Children are physically active and have plenty of opportunity to play outside in the childminder’s spacious and secure garden. They enjoy daily walks and visit the local parks regularly. They take regular drinks and there are comfortable areas to rest according to their needs. Children's emotional well being is fostered by the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder, helping children to express their feelings in a very open and understanding environment. She is sensitive towards their individual needs and takes positive steps to meet them. For example, the childminder ensures that all children in her care are familiar with inhalers in order to fully include children with asthma. Children’s health needs are clearly identified and securely met through well organised, up to date medical records and documents. They are well supervised when handling the pet rabbit and protected from any health risks. All feeding bowls and bedding are made inaccessible and children learn to wash their hands after contact with animals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a child friendly, welcoming environment where children are relaxed, safe and secure. The ground floor is appropriately arranged and organised to meet children's needs. Children have space to develop their play and move around freely. They are encouraged to be independent and to self-select from the play resources on offer, all of which are clean and conform to safety standards. Many are stored in easily accessible boxes and children happily and readily help themselves. The childminder monitors and supervises children's choices, ensuring that all toys provided are safe and age appropriate. Priority is given to ensuring children's personal safety, both inside and outside the home and to helping them understand how to keep themselves safe. Children are well protected and their welfare promoted. There is sufficient and

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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 appropriate safety equipment in place, such as stair gates, smoke detectors and car seats. The childminder has addressed potential hazards within the home and minimised risks. Children are aware of the evacuation procedures and that when out on visits or trips, they stay close together and within view at all times. The childminder has a firm understanding of child protection and the procedures to follow, in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee. A daily register of the children cared for on the premises is kept. However, a record of the times of attendance and the names of the persons who looked after them would further improve children's safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. All children enjoy their time with the childminder. Those who are anxious or unsure are helped to settle easily as the childminder is experienced and sensitive towards their individual needs. They show enjoyment and achieve well because the childminder plans and provides a wide range of interesting and worthwhile activities, some reflecting society's diversity. She knows the children well and builds on their interests. Consequently the children are motivated, concentrate well and explore with confidence. Warm, meaningful relationships between all positively contribute to the children's sense of belonging. Children greet each other warmly on arrival and talk constantly as they play with their toys. They have fun together and are eager to participate. The youngest make very good progress because the childminder is fully involved in their play and learning. She provides consistent support and meaningful praise which encourages their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

independence. Many exciting learning opportunities are provided for all age groups. For example, children learn about the natural world from growing sunflowers in the garden and older children practice map reading skills on orienteering excursions. They learn about the wider world through celebrating festivals such as Chinese New Year and tasting world foods.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder knows the children well and they are warmly welcomed and feel very relaxed in her care. Their behaviour is very good and relationships between children are excellent. The childminder supports the children in sharing, turn taking and resolving conflict. She sets a very good example; children ask for things politely and are kind and patient with others. The childminder has appropriate expectations and fair, consistent boundaries. They learn to negotiate with others and take responsibility for their own actions. Children increase their understanding of right and wrong as they respond to gentle reminders to treat their belongings and each other with care.

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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 All children have opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through planned activities and outings to places of interest. This positive approach fosters children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. A good partnership with parents contributes significantly to children's well being. The childminder actively seeks their views about their children's needs and interests before they are cared for, and on a regular basis throughout their time in her care. She ensures that parents are kept informed of their children's activities and progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is experienced, caring and conscientious and children are at ease in the well organised environment. They have plenty of space to move around freely and the choice of playing indoors or outside in the spacious, child friendly garden. Independence is encouraged and they confidently help themselves to toys and play resources. The childminder occasionally works with a registered assistant to enable her to maximise the time she spends with the children at their play and leisure activities. Documentation is well organised and confidentially retained. Policies and procedures are used effectively to keep parents informed. Paperwork is regularly reviewed, updated and shared with parents to keep them fully informed about the service and the activities on offer. This demonstrates the childminder's commitment to provide suitable and appropriate care to the children she minds.

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Organisation

Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of children who attend well.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has completed a relevant First Aid course.

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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 MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure children are protected by maintaining a record which details children’s time of attendance and when an assistant is present.

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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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