Childminder in Gateshead

Inspection report for early years provision

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311782 Unique Reference Number 08 August 2007 Inspection date Shirley Peart 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 satisfactory. 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 November 1993. She lives with her teenage children, in Low Fell, Gateshead. The home is situated in a residential area on the outskirts of Gateshead, close to all of the amenities and schools in Low Fell and Deckham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed front garden 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 six children under five years and three children aged eight years and over on a varied basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has pet dogs and cats, some of which have access to the premises.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder ensures that children's health needs are adequately met. For example, she wipes children's noses when needed, potties are readily available for young children who are toilet training and she uses an anti-bacterial hand spray. However, children are not encouraged to wash or wipe their hands before eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Documentation is in place regarding administration of medication and accidents, although the book is not maintained in a confidential manner, as there is more than one entry on each page. The childminder discusses her sickness and exclusion procedures with the parents and children do not attend if they are ill. This ensures that children's health needs are appropriately met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children usually walk to school and younger children are pushed in buggies for the school run or to toddler groups, so that they receive plenty of fresh air and exercise. Due to the way in which the childminder's home is organised, the children choose to play indoors or out, which gives them further good opportunities to be out in the fresh air.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents usually provide food, such as packed lunches for their children. The childminder offers mainly healthy snacks, such as bananas, although children do help themselves to their own biscuits and occasionally are given a sweet. The childminder ensures that children have plenty of drinks, especially during hot weather, which ensures that their nutritional needs are adequately met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in an identified back room, which is appropriately set out. For example, they sit on the floor to watch a favourite film or to complete jigsaws. Although there is a table available, this was not used for children’s activities and there were no toys or activities readily laid out for them to choose from.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a suitable range of toys, which she gets out for the children, such as age appropriate wooden jigsaws and the doctors set. The childminder ensures that children are safe when they play. For example, she is vigilant and observant when they move between the indoor and outdoor areas and she is well aware of the need to keep older children's toys away from younger children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Most areas where children play are safe, although the accessible razors in the bathroom and unlocked kitchen cupboards pose a slight hazard. However, the childminder always ensures that she is with the children or that she can hear and observe them so that they play safely. Attendance records are satisfactory and any deviation from children’s normal attendance times is recorded. Children are gaining a suitable awareness of staying safe as they look at appropriate books on safety and talk with the childminder, they also practise fire evacuation drills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Appropriate information and procedures are in place regarding child protection. The childminder understands her role and responsibility in child protection matters. This ensures that children's welfare is suitably protected.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children approach the childminder easily and have formed very good relationships with her. Young children clamber eagerly to sit on her knee and receive plenty of cuddles and warm natural interaction. Children quickly become restless and squabble over the books attached to a child’s pushchair when they are not sufficiently occupied; however the childminder gets out the jigsaws and plays with them or she encourages them to watch a favourite film, so that they soon settle.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder distracts children appropriately and asks them relevant questions about themselves,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their family and what they have been doing, which keeps them interested and sufficiently occupied. She listens to them and encourages other children to listen when they make good attempts at counting. Therefore, young children clearly enjoy her company and make suitable progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder knows the children and their individual personalities well. Children are very well cared for and their individual needs are recognised and met effectively by the childminder. For example, she offers natural, warm cuddles and children have their comforter when they are tired. She is very enthusiastic, caring and responsive, which promotes children’s confidence and self-esteem very well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children also receive lots of positive praise and encouragement when they achieve a task, such as when they manage to zip their coat up by themselves. The childminder uses lots of positive statements, such as ‘isn’t it nice when we are kind to each other’, which children respond to very well. Therefore, they are given plenty of attention and support to ensure that they are beginning to learn right from wrong and how to behave responsibly.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has longstanding relationships with some of the parents, which helps to build a secure and trusting environment for the children. The childminder exchanges information verbally, informs the parents of their child's day and would discuss and agree any strategies to be used, such as behaviour management. This ensures that parents are fully informed and that they work together well to meet the individual needs of the children. The childminder has received lots of positive thank you cards and letters from grateful parents and children over the years, which indicates that they are happy with the care that their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has 14 years experience and is aware of regulations, as she has informed Ofsted of persons living in the household who need to be vetted. She has completed the Extending Childminding Practice course since the last inspection and also holds a relevant first aid

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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 certificate, which ensures that children are protected and well cared for by a knowledgeable childminder.

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Organisation

Some toys are available for the children, which the childminder gets out for them. However, these are not sufficiently well organised so that children can make independent choices, to enable them to play imaginatively or creatively.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains a close network of other childminder's in the area, with whom she regularly meets up at toddler groups. This ensures that she receives support and minded children's social skills and enjoyment are enhanced appropriately. She has a number of children on her books and stated that she is well aware of the correct adult-child ratios and numbers of under five-year-olds that she can care for, at any one time.

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Organisation

Documentation is in place. However, some areas within the details forms and consent have not been updated to ensure that all information is recorded. 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 last inspection the childminder was requested to; extend the provision so that positive images of disability were promoted and to obtain written parental permission to transport children by car and public transport.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made satisfactory progress. Some play figures and images in books which promote disability are available and consent from most parents is in place.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 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

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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 satisfactory. 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 young children are always reminded and assisted, where necessary, to wash their hands before eating • ensure that the accident and medication book is maintained in a confidential manner

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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 • improve the organisation of toys and resources and provide further creative and imaginary activities so that children are able to choose what they want to do independently.

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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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