Childminder in North Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

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309906 Unique Reference Number 05 February 2008 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 has been registered since 1998. She lives with her husband and three children aged 15, 11 and six years. They live in a detached house in a residential area of Whitley Bay, close to local amenities and the sea front. The whole of the downstairs of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years and currently has seven children under the age of eight years and five children over the age of eight years on roll. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder has two pet rabbits.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a warm and welcoming child-orientated home, where they begin to learn about the importance of good hygiene through effective daily routines. For example, washing hands after using the toilet and using individual hand towels to prevent the risk of cross-infection. The childminder promotes good practice to prevent the spread of infection

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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 and keep children healthy. For example, she follows effective procedures when changing nappies and wears disposable gloves. Clear sick child procedures, an up-to-date first aid certificate and the effective recording of emergency consents promote children's health and well-being. Procedures are in place to record medication and accidents, however, the recording of this information does not promote confidentiality.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical play and have a variety of outdoor toys and resources to use in the rear garden. The childminder also takes them for walks to the beach and to local gardens where they can run about and enjoy exercise in the fresh air. Such activities promote children's physical development. The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of providing a healthy and balanced diet. Children have a growing awareness of healthy food options, which is fostered through positive, appropriate discussions with the childminder and planned activities, such as baking. The childminder consults with parents to ensure that she is aware of individual dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are very well protected through the childminder's extremely conscientious approach to health and safety matters. She ensures that safety apparatus, such as door guards and stair gates, are in place along with regular recorded checks of safety equipment, such as testing smoke alarms. The childminder keeps a written record of all visitors to the setting to further safeguard children. Space and resources remain extremely safe as the childminder carries out written risk assessments; this minimises the risk of accidental injury to children. A well thought-out and detailed emergency evacuation plan helps to ensure that children are kept safe in emergencies. Frequent fire drills are carried out and recorded, as a result, all children are involved and aware of routines to follow in times of danger. A wealth of detailed policies which are effectively implemented further promotes children's safety, for example, use of the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

trampoline and collecting children policies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have an abundance of space to move around and explore freely. Space is totally child-orientated and a dedicated playroom displays colourful examples of the children's work; this helps to create a sense of belonging for the children and shows that the childminder values their work. Children have access to a wealth of high quality toys and resources which are kept in excellent condition through regular cleaning and checking by the childminder. Toys are stored in child height boxes and the childminder ensures that younger children are not able to reach toys which are not appropriate for their age. As a result, even the youngest of children are able move around the setting confidently, choosing resources and exploring their environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Fun and interesting activities help children to learn about keeping themselves safe outside, for example, they dress up as lollipop people and practise road safety. The childminder shows a high level of commitment to ensuring that children remain safe on outings as she encourages them to learn some sense of danger and knowledge about how to protect themselves from harm. For example, they discuss the importance of not talking to strangers. The children's continuing safety and well-being are further protected as the childminder has very clear and comprehensive written information in place to support her knowledge of child protection issues, which ensures that she could seek advice from appropriate agencies should she need to. This means that children are extremely well safeguarded.

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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 good. Children are very happy and settled at the childminder's home and choose from an excellent 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 go on trips to local museums and visit National Trust gardens. They enjoy a very good range of activities which contributes to their imaginative and creative development, such as painting, drawing and dressing up, and even young children enjoy getting messy with paints and making hand prints for calendars. Children benefit from lots of opportunities to socialise with their peers as they visit local soft play areas and toddler groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder maintains good interaction with the children at all times. She sits with them and is constantly involved in their activities, talking to them and taking an interest in what they are doing. She builds towers of stacking cups for young children who delight in knocking them down, and begin to develop fine motor skills as they pick them up, placing cups inside one another. The childminder encourages language and extends development as she is actively involved in their play. For example, she supports the children as they complete jigsaws, naming the animals and encouraging the children to find different animals. Language skills are further promoted as children sit on her knee and she reads stories to them, constantly involving them as she reads. Constant praise and encouragement further promote children's self-esteem and confidence. As a result, children are happy and settled in the childminder’s care; they laugh

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and sing and thoroughly enjoy being with her.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are involved in a meaningful range of activities to promote a positive view of the world around them. They learn about their local community as they visit museums and go for walks to the library. Planned activities, such as celebrating Australia Day and the Chinese New Year, along with an extensive range of resources extends children's understanding of diversity and different cultures. Children show a good sense of belonging at the setting; their work is displayed on the walls and the toilet door sign is hand written by children. The childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She has a written policy in place to support her understanding and is committed to working with parents to ensure that individual needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Consistent behaviour management and age appropriate techniques ensure children understand right from wrong. Praise and encouragement further encourage positive behaviour and develop self-esteem. A good relationship has been developed with parents and carers, who speak extremely highly of the care and learning that their children receive. Written policies and procedures are shared with parents, ensuring that they are aware of how the setting is run. The childminder gathers all relevant information required to meet the individual child's needs, for example, dietary and medical requirements. Verbal feedback ensures that parents remain up-to-date about their child's day; this promotes continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's good care is enhanced by effective organisation. Flexible daily routines allow children to experience a wide range of activities in the home and the wider community. Space is well

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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 laid out so that children can move around freely to explore resources and make independent choices about their play and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder benefits from attending some relevant training to further increase her understanding of good quality childcare. All adults in the home have undergone all relevant checks, this effectively safeguards children. The childminder's registration certificate is clearly displayed for parents to see and an up-to-date register of children's attendance is maintained. All legally required documentation is in place and implemented well. This positively contributes to children’s overall well-being.

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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, recommendations were raised to improve the childminder's understanding of child protection procedures and to ensure that the medication book was completed appropriately. The childminder has attended relevant child protection training courses and has obtained documentation to support her understanding of the issues surrounding abuse. All medication records are in place, however, the recording does not promote confidentiality.

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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 procedures to ensure confidentiality is maintained when completing accident and medication records.

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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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