Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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313725 Unique Reference Number 28 February 2008 Inspection date Eileen Grimes 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 1994. She lives with her husband and two children aged 18 and seven years. They live in a residential area of Durham City, close to schools and local amenities. The childminder uses all the ground floor areas of her home for childminding. There is an enclosed play area to the rear of the house. She attends the local toddler groups and takes children to the park. The family have a budgie.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time. She is currently caring for seven children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, well organised and comfortable home. The childminder ensures that children learn about the importance of good hygiene practices, such as washing their hands before and after snacks and after outdoor play. The childminder also ensures that she washes her hands after changing nappies and before feeding the children.

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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 Children enjoy a range of meals, these are provided by the parents, although the childminder provides snacks. Meals consider individual children’s needs. These are served to children in a social setting, where children develop a range of social skills. Drinks are freely available from a range of water milk and juice, with older children accessing these independently.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a good range of daily activities inside and outside the home, to help them develop a range of physical skills and promote their good health. For example children go to the nearby park and use large push and pull toys in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has suitable systems in place to record accidents, medication administered and for the treatment of emergency and medical advice. This means that parents are kept informed and their wishes are acknowledged and adhered to. The childminder is able to provide appropriate treatment in the event of children having an accident, because she has undertaken relevant first aid training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Good safety precautions have been taken to minimise accidents. For example, smoke alarms are in place and are regularly tested. The childminder has obtained a fire blanket which is easily accessible if required and practices a fire drill, at various times of the day to ensure all children are aware of the procedure to follow. The childminder carries out regular checks on the house to ensure the environment is safe for children. The risk of accidents outside the home is reduced, because the childminder is conscientious about ensuring children are safe whilst on outings. For example, young children are safely harnessed in their buggy, and the childminder ensures children are supervised at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All toys and equipment with the childminders home are well maintained. She has developed children’s understanding of how to care for toys through fun everyday activities. For example children are encouraged to tidy activities away if areas are becoming cluttered and at the end of the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully safeguarded. The childminder has an understanding of the different types and possible signs of abuse. The childminder knows the procedure to be followed if she has a concern about a child, including contact details of social services and the police. There is a child protection policy in place, which details to parents her role and responsibilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy their time in the childminder’s home. They achieve extremely well because the childminder is highly skilled and uses her exceptional understanding of early years guidance, to provide high quality care to the children in her care. She provides an information pack for parents, which includes a written statement clearly outlining how she intends supporting children in their progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a keen knowledge of child development. This ensures that activities are organised to meet the individual needs of the children and to ensure that each child makes excellent progress. Children's achievements are celebrated and documented in each child's individual file. This achievement is documented and children and parents enjoy looking at the achievements and progress in the file.

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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 The childminder's understanding of each child’s stage of development means the youngest children are confident enough to try out new skills, ask for help when needed and set their own limits within the safe environment. She ensures that children have an extensive range of experiences within the setting, and she also takes the children to toddler groups and on trips to the park where children thoroughly enjoy exploring the large equipment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children arrive happy and eager to participate. The children make excellent progress because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. Close and caring relationships with the childminder increase children’s sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. They develop a sense of belonging through the childminder's use of each child's folder to celebrate their achievements. High quality adult-child interactions are extremely supportive of early communication skills and the childminder echoes children's speech. This ensures that children know that their communication is valued and very effectively increases their self esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Right from the start, the childminder finds out about children’s skills, interests and needs and builds on this information effectively to help children achieve as much as they can. She is very sensitive to the needs of the children from a range of home circumstances. A flexible approach to planning and an excellent balance between adult-led and child-led activities, allows children to learn at their own pace. The childminder is perceptive to children’s interests during self-initiated play and uses questions very successfully to challenge children’s thinking and language skills. For example, during an activity, with the dolls the childminder asks the youngest child what the baby needs to go to sleep and how she will organise this. She uses highly effective systems to observe, and monitor children’s achievements, and to plan experiences that help children take the next step in their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident in their environment because the childminder strives to ensure that their individual needs are met. Children begin to develop an understanding of the wider community and develop respect for others. This is developed through play and resources reflective of equal opportunities issues. The childminder has not had experience of caring for a child with learning difficulties or disabilities, but she is willing to work with parents to provide appropriate care in accordance with the child's specific needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses strategies such as distraction to manage children's behaviour, which works very well. Children behave well because of the childminder's realistic expectations. She is positive and consistent in approach, and her good use of praise and encouragement helps build children's self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Successful relationships have been developed with parents to ensure that the childminder has a good, working knowledge and understanding of the needs of individual children. Daily verbal information is shared effectively, and the childminder ensures parents are aware of their child's care throughout the day, including what they have eaten and what activities they have done. The range of records and policies in place supports this partnership working, which has a positive impact on the care the children receive. Parents are fully aware through her policy of how to raise a complaint.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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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Organisation

The organisation is good. Space within the home is well organised which results in children feeling at ease, comfortable and confident in their environment. This enables children to play and learn developing new concepts and consolidating previous learning. Her organisation of time provides children with the opportunity to experience activities in an appropriate setting, whilst considering the needs of other children.

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Organisation

The childminder has her registration certificate on display and keeps to the conditions of registration to provide good supervision of the children. However, she should ensure that all adults within the home are appropriately vetted.

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Organisation

All documentation is in place, is well organised and is stored to ensure accessibility and confidentially. There is a range of policies and procedures in place which ensures parents are aware of the details of the childminding practice.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were raised relating to her attendance register and implementing consent for emergency medical treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The attendance register clearly details times of children's arrivals and departures and the number of children present at any time. Written consent is now in place for parents for emergency medical treatment.

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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 complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted. There are no complaints to report.

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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): • ensure all adults within the home are vetted.

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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 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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