Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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313547 Unique Reference Number 26 November 2007 Inspection date Elaine Marie McDonnell 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 has been registered since March 2000. She lives with her husband and their three children, two of whom are grown-up, with one away at university and the youngest being 12 years old. The family live in the village of High Shincliffe, close to Durham City. The family has a cat and two gerbils, which minded children have supervised access to.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The home is within easy access to a local primary school, play park and toddler group. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for up to six children under eight years at any one time. There are currently 19 children on roll, aged from six months to 10 years. All children are cared for on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows appropriate hygiene procedures to ensure that the home and equipment are kept clean. Children learn to understand about simple, good

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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 hygiene practices, such as hand washing, as this is promoted throughout the daily routine. Medication administered is appropriately recorded. No accidents or incidents have yet occurred, however, there are no appropriate procedures in place for recording these if they do occur. Appropriate written procedures are in place to protect children’s overall health, for example, exclusion of children with certain illnesses, parents sign and receive a copy of this.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are appropriately nourished as the childminder provides healthy snacks and drinks. Parents provide their child's meals if they are attending over lunch time. The childminder finds out about children's individual dietary requirements or family preferences and these are recorded and adhered to.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to enjoy physical activity, for example, when on outings, when walking to and from school and when doing dancing activities and actions indoors. They also rest and sleep according to their needs and individual routines, which the childminder is well aware of, for example, outings usually take place on a morning as some children are tired by the afternoon.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that children are cared for in a safe environment. For example, suitable safety equipment and a written fire procedure are in place and the premises is kept secure. Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that children are kept safe when playing outdoors and when on outings, for example, they learn about road safety when out walking. Children also learn to keep themselves safe when involved in fire drills, which are recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The environment is warm and welcoming for the children with a good range of resources readily available for them in the lounge. They have easy access to the toys, equipment and furniture and the childminder ensures that resources are safe and suitable for use by using age appropriate items for the children attending, and making sure that all items are clean and safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are appropriately protected. The childminder understands her role in relation to child protection issues and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. She demonstrates a good understanding of the main areas of abuse and of possible signs. She has local contact numbers readily available. However, the childminder is not currently aware of local procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are involved in a good range of activities that cover all areas of development. For example, various craft activities, singing, using a range of musical instruments and listened to stories read by the childminder. They also participate in role play activities, such as when playing 'hospitals' as a minded child is due to go into hospital. Children also participate in various outings, such as visits to the library, the cathedral and garden and local social groups. Older children attending after school do some writing practice and complete their homework.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop confidence and self-esteem well when being praised and encouraged by the childminder for their efforts, for example, when drawing and singing. Children show interest in what they do, they respond to challenge and concentrate well. They have opportunities to be independent and use their initiative, such as when deciding what they want to play 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 and helping to decide on outings. Children acquire new skills and knowledge with support from the childminder, for example, how to play different musical instruments, the sounds of different letters and counting skills when counting birds in the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have appropriate opportunities to learn about wider society and begin to appreciate their own culture and the cultural traditions of others. For example, they participate in activities relating to other cultural festivals, such as Diwali and Chinese New Year. They also have access to various resources which positively reflect the wider world, such as dolls and books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to promote equal opportunities and ensure that all children are included and involved and their individual needs are being met. There are currently no children with any learning difficulties or disabilities attending the setting, however, the childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for children with additional needs. She supports children from dual language-speaking families.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy being with the childminder and enjoy the activities and resources available, they are settled and happy and make positive relationships with adults and peers. Children are well behaved and are beginning to learn to understand and respect the values and feelings of others, with support from the childminder. She demonstrates a good understanding of how to manage children's behaviour effectively, promote a positive environment and act as a good role model.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works well in partnership with parents and carers. Parents are kept informed of their child’s development and progress through regular discussions. Appropriate consent forms from parents are available and contract agreements are in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder ensures that adults caring for children are suitable to do so as all persons in the household have complied with vetting procedures, or are in the process of this. The childminder has a satisfactory attitude towards personal development and has undertaken some additional training since the last inspection. For example, she has updated her first aid qualification, however, at the time of the inspection there was no evidence of this.

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Organisation

Most documents and records required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available. Attendance records show that adult to child ratios for children under eight years are effectively maintained.

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Organisation

The childminder has high regard for the well-being of all children and they receive good adult support and attention. 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 previous inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that records are always available for inspection by the early years child care inspector. Most records and documents required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available for inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder was also asked to extend the range of resources to promote multi-cultural awareness. A range of dolls are now available and the childminder also borrows items from the local book and toy libraries, to ensure that children have access to a more varied range of resources.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted received concerns relating to National Standard 1 - Suitable Person. A childcare inspector visited the provision on 19 December 2005. An action was raised and satisfactorily met by the registered provider. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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 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 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 appropriate procedures are in place for the prompt recording of any accidents or incidents • increase knowledge and understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures • provide evidence that an appropriate first aid course has been conducted.

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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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