Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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313512 Unique Reference Number 01 November 2007 Inspection date Ann Doubleday 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 2000. She lives with her three children aged 10 and 13 years in a residential area on the outskirts of Durham City. In the locality there are shops, schools and pre-school facilities. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden and a front garden available for outdoor 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 five pre-school children, four children after school and one child over eight years. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder walks to local school and nursery to take and collect children. The family has one cat, gerbils and hamsters. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a range of activities that contribute to their good health. They take part in regular outdoor activities, for example, as they go for a walk or for a trip to the park or the

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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 shops. This encourages their physical development. Children are able to rest and be active according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, comfortable home which contributes to their good health and sense of security. Their health is supported by the encouragement of appropriate personal care routines which also allow them to develop their independence. Children are beginning to understand the reason why they need to wash their hands and are reminded to do so before eating meals, after playing outside and after using the toilet. However, this is not consistent, as the children do not always wash their hands before eating snack.

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Helping children to be healthy

Effective procedures followed by the childminder results in children being protected from illness and the spread of infection, for example, as she wipes up spills on the floor and follows appropriate nappy change procedures. Effective accident, sickness and medication procedures are in place to promote children's health, however, consent for seeking medical advice in an emergency has not yet been requested from the parents of all the children cared for. This means the health of these children is not fully protected in an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's dietary needs are met. She provides a range of healthy snacks and parents provide the main meals. She talks to the children about what is good for them and what is healthy in order to promote healthy eating. They are offered regular drinks to ensure that they are not thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home is safe and child friendly. Risks of accidental injury to children are minimised because the childminder is vigilant and uses risk assessments to reduce most hazards. For example, household cleaning materials are kept out of children's reach, electric sockets are protected and sharp knives are inaccessible to children. However, there is a glass china cabinet in the lounge which is not fully protected and poses a hazard. Fire safety procedures are good. The childminder has appropriate fire safety equipment in place and regularly practises the emergency evacuation procedure with the children. Planned activities help children to learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, they learn about using sun hats in warm weather, road safety and stranger danger.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access a good range of toys and equipment, so that they enjoy a variety of different play experiences safely. A selection of toys are available to them in the play room and are stored at child height to promote independent access. Toys are regularly rotated with others in the loft to ensure children have variety. Toys are regularly washed and checked to ensure they remain safe for use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder understands her role in child protection and has a sound awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse. She is aware of the procedures to be followed should a concern arise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy, settled and relaxed in the company of the childminder. They are motivated, eager and actively participate in and enjoy the activities and experiences offered to them. Children are confident and relate very well to each other. Younger children benefit

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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 from the childminder's excellent understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. The childminder is enthusiastic and experienced. She uses her wealth of experience to plan an excellent range of opportunities and activities, which are organised around particular themes of interest and is planned around the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Children benefit from the childminder's highly skilled ability to balance her time interacting with children effectively. The childminder observes children in their play and uses her observations to effectively plan for the next steps in their learning. For example, she plans a topic on colours as she knows that some children are not confident about recognising and naming colours.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children access a wide range of stimulating activities and experiences both within and away from the childminding setting which support the growth of children's development across all areas. During the inspection children were highly motivated and actively engrossed in imaginary play, playing with the farm set. Children respond well to the childminder who gets down to their level and follows their lead to ensure they are learning whilst having fun. She encourages them to find small and large animals, talk about the names of the animals and the sounds they make and then continued by reading a farm story. Children are enthusiastic and excited when adults present take an interest and listen carefully to what they are saying and join in with them in developing their play. For example, they follow on from the story by spontaneously singing old Macdonald has a farm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children after school also take part in an extensive variety of activities which take into account their individual interests. For example, they bake and decorate cakes, play in the garden, relax by watching television or select activities from the resources available to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder actively promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, resulting in all children feeling valued and free from discrimination. The childminder has had some training and experience in caring for children with disabilities. Children access a varied range of activities and resources which increases their awareness of diversity. For example, the childminder talks to children about similarities and differences in people and looks at a world map with them. Children learn about the local community, as they take part in outings to local parks, shops, library and other places of local interest.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They are encouraged to share and take turns. The childminder is a good role model and uses positive strategies for managing behaviour. She makes sure children know and understand the house rules in place and gently reminds them of these.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works well with parents in order to meet children's individual needs. Parents are kept fully informed of how their child has been, through verbal communication, notes home and email messages. The childminder shares her written observations of children's progress with parents and the policies and procedures of the setting are also shared with them.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and relaxed in the environment, resulting in them being confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Space is used well to cater for the children's play needs. They are able to move around freely. Adult to child ratios are maintained and the childminder organises her time well to meet the individual needs of the children. The childminder

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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 keeps her own knowledge up to date by attending regular training, the knowledge gained is used to enhance the care that is given to the children

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Organisation

There are effective systems in place for the daily sharing of information with parents about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. Records, policies and procedures are all in place and are kept appropriately. All records are shared regularly with parents to keep them fully informed of their child's care and about the childminding service.

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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 provider agreed to ensure that written consent for emergency medical treatment is signed by parents. The childminder has requested this consent from most parents, however, it is not yet in place for all children cared for. This means some children are not fully protected in an emergency.

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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.

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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 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): • make sure children consistently wash their hands before eating snacks • request written permission from parents of all children for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • make sure glass china cabinet is made safe or inaccessible to 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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