Childminder in Gateshead

Inspection report for early years provision

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311577 Unique Reference Number 31 October 2007 Inspection date Judith Ann Hodgson 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 1997. She lives in an end terraced house in the Felling area of Gateshead. She lives with her husband and their adult daughter.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Areas of the house used for childminding are the lounge and kitchen located on the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor. To the rear of the property is an enclosed garden which is used for outdoor play. There are currently six children under eight and one over eight on roll, all of whom attend part time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has three dogs, two rabbits and two guinea pigs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for in a clean, welcoming home. Children's health is further protected as the toys and equipment are regularly cleaned and checked. Children learn good personal hygiene routines as they wash their hands at appropriate times and use individual

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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 towels to dry their hands which prevents cross contamination. Children's welfare is protected with regard to the administration of medication as parents are asked to sign to acknowledge medicine doses given. Children's well being is ensured as their medical needs are discussed with parents, permissions obtained and detailed, accurate records are kept of any medication administered. Children's health is protected in the event of an emergency as the childminder has current first aid qualifications, has access to a first aid box which is checked regularly and has obtained permission to seek emergency advice or treatment. The childminder has a carefully considered emergency back up plan, arranged with other childminders to safeguard children in the event of accident. Children benefit through continuity of care as parents are asked to

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Helping children to be healthy

sign the accident book when they have discussed the entry with the childminder. However, as there are multiple entries on one page of the accident book, children's details are not kept fully confidential.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children's nutritional needs are met as all their food is provided by the parents. Children learn about healthy eating as the childminder discusses with them the food provided and encourages them to eat the healthy options. Children are provided with regular drinks of diluted fruit juice and water and are offered snacks of fresh fruit. The childminder provides good opportunities to enhance the children's physical development. They play with a wide range of equipment daily, such as tricycles, scooters and a small trampoline in the paved garden and are taken on walks to the local park to feed the ducks. They have good opportunities for exercise as they enjoy visits to a local soft play facility and walk to and from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children and their parents are welcomed into this warm and well maintained home. They play safely both indoors and outdoors as the childminder is vigilant about children's safety and takes effective steps to minimise hazards. For example, a fire guard is in place, a safety gate prevents unsupervised access to the stairs and safety socket covers and cupboard locks are used. Children are kept safe in the event of a fire as fire control equipment is available and the childminder practises her fire evacuation plan with the children regularly. Children are unable to leave unsupervised as the doors are kept locked, the garden is enclosed and the side path has two gates. Children's safety is further enhanced by the use of closed circuit television to the front and rear of the property. Young children are kept safe on outings as they wear reins, understand the childminder's rules and routines and are closely supervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit as they access a good variety of high quality toys and equipment. These are organised accessibly in low-level storage boxes in the living room and are freely available to the children. They are suitable for the age and developmental stages of the children and meet good safety standards. Therefore, young children are able to make choices which fosters their early independence. They explore books and pop up toys then choose to play with a small world cooker to make meals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s overall well-being is safeguarded as the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection procedures and is confident on how to implement these when necessary. She has good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and knows who to consult should she have a cause for concern.

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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 relaxed and happy in the childminder's care. They enjoy a close and affectionate relationship with the childminder and readily approach her for cuddles and reassuring hugs. Children are supported in their play as the childminder sits on the floor to be involved in their games. She chats to the children, encouraging them to develop new vocabulary and sensitively intervenes in their activities to extend their learning. For example, when children are playing with a pop-up toy she counts and encourages the young children to find the right colour.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are confident to approach the childminder as they ask for her help to change their toys. Good support and praise is offered as the children explore their imaginative skills. For example, when the children play with a pretend cooker she motivates the children by asking them to make food for her which results in enthusiastic, imaginative play. Young children are helped to develop their vocabulary as the childminder repeats words and phrases and praises their achievements. Children enjoy outdoor play daily in the secure back garden where they have access to a good paved surface and a wide range of wheeled toys. They enjoy supervised access to the family pets. Children develop an awareness of their environment as they are taken for walks to the local park and walk to and from school.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed and treated with respect. They benefit from the childminder knowing them well and having an understanding of their individual needs gained through caring for them from a young age. The children develop their understanding of a wider world as they are able to access a variety of age appropriate resources, such as books and small world figures to help them to gain an awareness of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are very well behaved, they respond to the childminder's calm, consistent and loving manner and delight in her involvement in their games. The childminder has fostered a good and friendly relationship with parents through sharing details about her practice and providing details of the regulator at the outset. Parents are provided with details of planned outings and are invited to chat about their child's day at the end of each care session which means the children benefit through continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are settled and happy in this childminder's care. They are relaxed, choose their toys with confidence, enjoy the childminder's company and seek affection readily. The childminder organises her time very well to give children maximum attention. The home is well organised to be child friendly with good, clear space for play and good quality, readily accessible resources. The childminder liaises with parents well and keeps them informed about care, children's activities and their progress.

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Organisation

All records and documents are well organised and available for inspection. They are used to support the care of the children and comply with regulations. For example, a daily register is kept in a desk diary detailing hours of attendance. The documents are clear and up to date.

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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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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that a fire blanket was correctly fitted. The childminder has made progress in that a fire blanket is now fitted to the kitchen wall so children are protected in the event of a fire. She was also asked to record children's times of attendance consistently. The dates and hours of attendance are now recorded consistently in a diary which is available for inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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 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): • review record keeping with regard to accident reports to ensure confidentiality for children.

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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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