Childminder in Sunderland

Inspection report for early years provision

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305647 Unique Reference Number 24 July 2007 Inspection date Lynne Pope 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 1992. She lives with her husband and one adult child. The whole of the ground floor and upstairs bathroom of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden available for outside 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 two children under five years all day, one child over five years and two children over eight years before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local library and park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are care for in a well presented, clean home. The childminder follows effective procedures to protect children when they are sick. Relevant records are in place for accidents and the administration of medication. Children learn the importance of good hygiene through

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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 example that the childminder sets. Individual towels or paper towels are provided for children to stop the spread of infection. They are encouraged to care for their teeth by brushing after lunch.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities that contribute to their good health. Physical activities help them to learn control of their bodies. They move freely, enabling them to explore the childminding environment. Regular outings are made into the local environment. For example they visit the park and soft play. Children are able to bring along their bikes and ride them outside. Large motor skills are developed as they climb up the steps for the slide. The result is children develop a positive attitude towards exercise. They are able to rest or be active according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good awareness of special dietary requirements through consultation with parents and carers. Children have access to a wholesome, nutritious diet which is freshly prepared daily. Older children have the opportunity to help with the preparation of food, which enables them to make choices about what they would like.

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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 secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment. The home is organised so that children carry out craft activities in the dining room and quiet activities, such as reading in the living room. They have the freedom of movement between the rooms as they decide what they would like to do. Children select freely from a broad range of resources developing their independence. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to make sure that they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder identifies and minimises risks around the home. Children learn about keeping themselves safe as they practise regular fire evacuation procedures. They learn the importance of keeping safe on outings through the effective processes the childminder has in place. Written consents are in place, ensuring that children's welfare is safeguarded. The childminder is confident and secure in her knowledge of child protection policies and procedures. She has attended a training course since the last inspection to keep herself up to date with current procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and very secure in the stable environment. They enjoy an excellent relationship between themselves and the childminder. They communicate easily with each other, which helps children to enjoy and achieve. Children enthusiastically take part in a wide variety of activities both inside and outside the home. They make their own selections from the readily available resources and spend concentrated effort on activities such as craft. Their imagination is well developed as they role play with resources and dress up. They learn about the wider world as they buy seeds at the supermarket, plant them and watch them grow. They particularly enjoy sitting close to the childminder while they share a book.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has attended training for the 'Birth to three matters' framework and has adapted her practice to reflect the knowledge gained. For example, by providing more natural

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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 materials for children to investigate. Good procedures are used to find out about what new children can do through a staged introduction to herself and her home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world. This increases children's understanding of others. They use relevant resources within the home such as play figures and books. Regular trips into the local environment widen their horizons. For example, they visit the park, soft play, movement and music sessions and the local wildfowl park. Children show a sense of belonging in the setting, settling well and making choices about what they do. The childminder's clear and consistent expectations of children and trust in their abilities helps to increase their self-confidence and shows they are valued and their efforts are appreciated. Their self-esteem is well developed as they receive regular praise and encouragement for their efforts.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A good relationship has been established between the childminder, parents and carers. Photographic examples of activities are shared with prospective parents. Children are settled in over a period of time ensuring that they settle well. Verbal feedback is given when children are collected, enhancing their development. Parents and carers have written letters of recommendation which were viewed at the inspection. All parents stated that they were very happy with the standard of care that their child receives.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides. Children's care is significantly enhanced by good organisation. They feel at home and at ease in the well organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning as well as being well supported by the childminder. Children can choose to access areas and resources offering different activities to extend their play and develop their independence.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended short courses, which enhances her skills when caring for children. For example, she has attended first aid, communicating maths and an introduction to the early year’s foundation stage. Her knowledge is used effectively to provide children with a wide range of learning experiences. All relevant records and consents are in place. Policies and procedures are verbally shared with parents to promote the care of the child though they are not available in a written format to enhance children's care further.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection two recommendations were raised. The childminder has made changes in her practice to ensure that smoke detectors on both floors of the home are checked so that they are in working order at all times to protect children. Records of accidents and medication are kept in individual children's files to protect their privacy.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 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

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 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): • develop good practice further by providing parents with written policies and procedures.

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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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