Childminder in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for early years provision

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318804 Unique Reference Number 28 January 2008 Inspection date Karen Marie Tervit 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 1992. She lives with her husband in the Kingston Park area of Newcastle, which is close to local amenities. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. She is registered for six children and is currently caring for four children. Children attend at various times. The family pet is a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and well-maintained environment. They are developing an age-appropriate understanding of health and hygiene through the childminder’s encouragement and modelling. The childminder implements robust systems to safeguard children’s health and hygiene, for example, through a safe and hygienic nappy changing procedure and the use of individual towels.

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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 The childminder organises her meals and snacks in accordance with the child’s needs and parental wishes. Parents provide children with their own healthy meals and snacks. The childminder has effective procedures in place for the storage and preparation of this food and for the recording of individual dietary needs. This helps children to stay healthy. Sample menus are available for parents who prefer to have the childminder provide the food.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their good health. The childminder organises her daily routine to enable children to access a range of age-appropriate activities to help them develop control of their bodies and improve their physical skills, for example, as they carefully build with the blocks or play with balls in the garden. They receive daily opportunities to experience fresh air. Children are able to rest or be active according to their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a spacious home where risks are mostly identified and minimised to a good standard, for example, socket covers, safety gates and appropriate cupboard locks are all in place. However, the patio doors need highlighting to children. The indoor environment is secure and the childminder uses an appropriate range of equipment in order to meet the needs and protect the safety of all children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder gives a high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children's safety outside the home, for example, when they are out and about, appropriate car seats are available or children are securely strapped into buggies. Children are safeguarded because the childminder carefully monitors and supervises their choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder has established effective systems to ensure that children stay safe, for example, through appropriate supervision and the regular practise of emergency evacuation procedures with children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a secure understanding of child protection procedures in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children take part in a range of interesting and exciting outings to places such as the Giants Den, the library, the park, drop-in sessions and sing-a-long sessions at the local SureStart Centre. They join in with a wide range of organised activities both at the groups they attend and in the childminder’s home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn and develop which means their care and play experiences meet their needs effectively. She is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and of how this promotes the outcomes for very young children. Within her home, they enjoy a relaxed environment where they can choose freely from the toys and initiate their own play. Even very young children quickly become engrossed in building towers of bricks and knocking them over or playing with the musical bear. Children especially enjoy dressing up in the many outfits available to them. They play well together and have an increasing awareness of the importance of sharing and being kind to each other.

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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 Children are relaxed and happy in the care of the childminder. There is lots of affection and warmth and the childminder interacts constantly with them encouraging their developing speech. She uses singing and dancing a great deal in her practice, with younger children smiling and laughing as they move to the beat of the rhymes. Older children join in with familiar songs and dances. Routines are consistent with home. This promotes children's sense of security.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children’s awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Children are learning about their local community as they participate in a good range of activities, for example, when going for walks around the local area, visiting local toddler groups and participating in age-appropriate activities at the nearby SureStart Centre. Although there are currently no children attending with learning difficulties or disabilities, the childminder has a positive attitude towards providing an inclusive environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. Children’s individual needs are met well as they follow their normal daily routine as discussed and recorded with their parents. The childminder has a good partnership with parents and shares a range of generally well written documents relating to her childminding practice and children’s individual activities and routines. Parents' written comments about the care their children receive are extremely positive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are at ease in the childminder’s well-organised environment, for example, in her use of available space and the accessible resources. Children are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning, with the childminder's careful and sensitive support. The childminder has attended training since her last inspection and is committed to promoting good outcomes for children.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Individual children’s records are stored confidentially and shared regularly with parents to keep them informed about the childminding service and their child’s activities. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care. Documentation relating to the childminder’s daily practice and children’s routines is well-maintained and effectively organised. However, the record of attendance does not contain all the necessary details.

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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 childminder agreed to continue to develop the good childminding practice. Since the inspection the childminder has attended further training and has kept up to date with forthcoming changes such as the new Early Years Foundation Stage.

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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

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 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): • further develop the recording of children's attendance • highlight the glass in the patio doors 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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