Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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313835 Unique Reference Number 08 August 2007 Inspection date Julie Morrison 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 1995. She lives with her husband and two children, aged 16 and 19 years, in a house in Ouston, a village outside Chester-le Street, near primary schools, nursery, playgroups and toddler groups. The whole of the ground floor and the family bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for six children and currently has seven children on roll, aged from two years to eight years of age. The childminder is part of the local childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a warm and welcoming family home where they learn about the importance of good hygiene throughout their daily routines. Consistent support and guidance encourages the children to become increasingly independent in their personal care, for example, washing their hands before eating and after using the bathroom. The childminder implements a range of effective procedures to reduce the risk of cross-infection and illness, for example,

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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 table cloths are used on tables and children use individual towels for drying hands. Clear sick child procedures, an up to date first aid certificate and the effective recording of emergency consents, medication and accidents promotes children's health and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides a good range of opportunities to enhance children's physical development. They regularly attend toddler groups and go for walks to the park. They have good access to the enclosed rear garden where they enjoy games such as swing ball and organise egg and spoon races. The childminder has suitable procedures in place for children to sleep; this ensures that children are able to rest or be active according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy eating is promoted by the childminder as children enjoy a good range of nutritious and well balanced meals and snacks. For example, fresh and dried fruit and home cooked dinners. Close liaison with parents ensures that children's individual dietary needs are effectively met. The childminder ensures that children have constant access to drinks so that they remain hydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe and secure environment where risks are identified and minimised. As a result, they are able to move around freely, safely and independently. Children are kept safe as the childminder maintains close supervision of them and implements effective safety procedures, such as covering sockets and locking doors. The childminder has very good procedures to ensure children would be safe in the event of an emergency, for example, agreements with other childminders' to care for the children and a clear written policy regarding children's safety. An appropriate emergency evacuation procedure, which is regularly practised with the children, along with smoke alarms, further promotes children's safety. A well maintained range of toys and resources are placed out for children to self-select from. The childminder ensures that toys are clean, in safe condition and suitable for the age and stage of development

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings as the childminder has good procedures in place. Babies are securely strapped into pushchairs, while older children are developing independence as they are allowed to walk a safe distance ahead. The childminder implements a range of effective safety procedures for outings, for example, carrying a mobile phone and contact numbers and taking spare clothing and nappies as necessary. The childminder has effective procedures in place to ensure that children would be safe in the event of an accident, for example, she carries information on her explaining that the children may not be hers and procedures to follow.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures. She is confident about the signs and symptoms to be aware of and procedures to follow should she have any concerns. A written child protection policy is in place and is effectively shared with parents. However, although the childminder is aware to notify Ofsted if she has any concerns this is not included in her policy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled at the childminder's home and choose from a wide range of toys and resources. The childminder provides a broad range of stimulating and interesting activities for the children, both in and out of the home. For example, they enjoy playing with

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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 castles and pirate ships and take part in role play dressing up and 'rescuing' each other in the garden. Children have very good opportunities to take part in arts and crafts activities, for example, making memory books to put photos in of what they are doing over the summer.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from lots of opportunities to socialise with their peers as they attend local toddler groups. The childminder maintains good interaction with the children as she sits with them and is involved in their activities. She chats with them constantly, taking an interest in what they are doing and provides lots of praise when they are successful, increasing confidence and self-esteem. Children are confident and happily engage with the childminder and visitors in conversation about what they enjoy doing. The childminder has a good understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses her knowledge of child development to encourage children's learning. Close, caring relationships are evident between the childminder and the children, for example, even older children happily sit on her knee and give her a cuddle. This helps to increase children's self-esteem and sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect by the childminder; she knows the children well and ensures she provides for individual preferences, for example, spending one to one time with the children while others are asleep. The childminder works hard to ensure that individual needs are respected and maintained, for example, providing quieter areas for older children to do homework or play with resources which would not be suitable for the younger children. Children have good opportunities to learn about diversity as they have an appropriate range of resources around them and take part in planned activities. For example, they enjoy dressing up in saris and celebrating festivals, such as Diwali. Children benefit from good opportunities to learn about the community they live in through walks to the park, the library and local toddler groups. They draw maps of the local area and use these to discuss where they are going that day. The

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities and is committed to working with parents and relevant organisations to ensure that she could support any individual needs to promote children's development and care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop self-confidence well because they receive lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder. She has age appropriate behaviour methods in place to help promote good behaviour and help children to learn right from wrong. She encourages children to be polite, to share and has basic ground rules in place. Children benefit from positive relationships between the childminder and parents. Parents receive information about the childminder prior to the children starting and the childminder keeps them up to date through verbal feedback and a notice board displays relevant information for parents, for example, the complaints procedure.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for and feel at home in a well organised setting where they are safe and secure. Toys and resources are effectively organised, enabling children to access them independently and make choices about their learning and play. Flexible daily routines allow the children to access a range of activities in the home and community.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to ongoing professional development and attends regular training to further enhance her practice, for example, she has recently completed a qualification in

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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 home based child care. All records which are required for the safe and effective management of the provision are in place, in line with regulations. The childminder has a comprehensive selection of policies and procedures in place which are effectively shared with parents, however, some information is out of date on these. The childminder keeps an up to date record of attendance and all adults in the house have undergone all relevant checks to safeguard children.

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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 last inspection the following recommendations were raised; ensure that accidents are signed by parents and that Ofsted details are included in the complaints procedure. The childminder has an up to date accident book which is signed by parents and the Ofsted address has been added to the complaints procedure, however, this is an old address.

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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. 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 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): • further develop some policies to ensure that they are up to date and include Ofsted details.

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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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