Childminder in Sunderland

Inspection report for early years provision

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502876 Unique Reference Number 07 December 2007 Inspection date Sharon Greener 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children, aged four and seven years, in the Fulwell area of Sunderland. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed yard for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding 10 children under eight years. All of the children attend on a part-time basis, including some before and after school and during school holidays. The childminder walks children to and from nursery and school. She regularly attends local carer and toddler groups and the local childminder support group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminding environment is very well maintained and hygiene standards are high. The childminder presents as a positive role model to the children and they are actively encouraged

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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 to adopt suitable personal hygiene practices, such as, the use of paper tissues and hand washing at appropriate times. However, the children did not wash their hands before eating their morning snack. The childminder has a clear understanding of related policies and procedures which she uses very well. For example, caring for a sick child, nappy changing and the administration of medication. This helps to promote and preserve the children's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder shows a very good understanding of the need to ensure that children are suitably nourished. Menus are produced and shared with parents and carers. Catering arrangements are flexible so as to meet children's individual dietary needs. Such needs are discussed in detail with parents and carers and relevant information regarding any special dietary requirements a child may have is recorded. The childminder fully understands the importance of adhering to the dietary wishes of parents and carers, whether for medical, cultural or religious reasons or their life style choices. The childminder has previous experience of catering for children with specific dietary needs, such as catering for a child who ate a vegetarian diet. Children are encouraged to eat a healthy diet. Fresh fruit and vegetables are offered daily and appropriate drinks are provided at regular intervals throughout the day. Babies and very

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Helping children to be healthy

young children are fed in keeping with their individual routines. Children's dietary needs are very well met. This helps promote and preserve their health and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for physical play, both indoors and outdoors. Weather permitting, they benefit from fresh air and exercise through outdoor play in the yard and walks and visits to the local parks, green areas and soft play facilities. A good selection of age appropriate equipment is provided to enable children to develop and enhance their physical skills. For example, children have access to sand and water tray, bats, balls, tricycles, push-a-long wheeled toys and a play tunnel. Children receive lots of praise from the childminder. They are able to test their abilities and to develop their physical skills whilst being actively supported and encouraged by her. All children are able to rest or sleep according to their individual needs. This helps to promote their physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has a clear understanding of relevant policies and procedures. In general, she makes very good use of these to help remove or minimise risks to children and to help keep the childminding areas safe for their use. For example, she conducts a visual risk assessment of the childminding areas prior to children's arrival each day. However, a shaving razor is stored in the bathroom cabinet which is not locked. Older children use the bathroom unsupervised and this does not support safety procedures. Suitable safety equipment is in place, such as socket covers, smoke detectors, a fire guard and a fire blanket. Children are very closely supervised by the childminder and are able to move freely and independently within the constraints of safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder presents as a positive role model to the children and talks to them about matters, such as road safety, and the need to use equipment and resources properly to prevent accidents or injury. Children respond very well to her and this helps to keep them safe. The childminder sets clear, consistent boundaries for the children. Ground rules and the reasons for them are explained to the children according to their age and level of understanding. The childminder gently reinforces these ground rules when necessary. This helps to raise children's awareness of danger and the need to preserve their own safety and that of others.

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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 The childminder shows a good understanding of her role and responsibilities with regard to safeguarding children. During the induction procedure, she talks to parents and carers about the action she would take if she had a concern about a child's welfare and a written policy statement is shared with them. A copy of the recommended child protection literature and the contact details for the Local Safeguarding Children Board are available for reference purposes. This helps to protect children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder discusses children's individual needs in detail with parents and carers and makes very good use of a gradual induction process. This process allows all parties to become familiar and comfortable with each other. Through her own observations of children and ongoing discussion with them and their parents and carers, the childminder is able to keep herself very well informed of children's individual needs and abilities. This enables her to plan and provide appropriate activities and learning opportunities for the children. They are able to develop and achieve at their own pace within a very supportive environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder builds very close, warm relationships with children and they are most relaxed and at ease in her care. They are able to use their initiative and to develop their independence skills. For example, children are actively encouraged to attend to their own personal needs, such as toileting and are offered a choice of snacks. Children's confidence and self-esteem is very well nurtured by the childminder. She recognises and celebrates children's efforts and achievements. For example, the childminder listened intently and then praised a young child's ability to describe how they had helped to dress the Christmas tree at home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a very good understanding of children's individual stages of development. She uses this knowledge very well to support and enhance their learning and progress. Throughout the day children benefit from a very good balance of adult-led activities, such as story telling, creative activities and outings. The childminder ensures that planned outings provide children with good educational opportunities. They are regularly taken to visit places, such as the beach, Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, Thompson Park, Fulwell library, the local leisure centre and soft play facilities. During school holidays, they visit Preston Park, South Shields, Washington Wetland Centre, the Discovery Museum and the Sea Life Centre. These outings help to promote and extend children's knowledge and understanding of their local environment and the natural world. Children have ample opportunity to initiate their own

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

play and learning. The childminder ensures that children are very well supported and sufficiently challenged.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the need to promote equality of opportunity. A good selection of resources and activities are provided to help raise children's awareness of diversity. She shows a suitable awareness of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities and has some previous experience in this area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a clear understanding of behaviour management. Age appropriate behaviour management strategies are used very well and applied in a calm and consistent manner. For example, distraction tactics are used with very young children and ground rules are discussed and explained to older children in accordance to their age and level of understanding. The

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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 childminder acknowledges and praises children's good behaviour. This helps to reinforce and promote such behaviour. Children respond positively to her and they are very well behaved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in harmony with parents and carers to introduce children to herself, her family and home. As part of the induction process, parents and carers are asked to carry out several visits to her home with their children as a means of gradually introducing them into her care. Consequently, children settle very well. The childminder talks to parents and carers about the procedures she uses and written policies are shared with them. For example, those relating to equal opportunity, medication, an uncollected child and complaints. Pertinent information about the children is obtained from parents and carers, and recorded on each child's individual record before they are left in the childminder's sole care. Respective parents and carers have access to these records and are asked to keep the childminder up-to-date with any relevant information that might impact upon the care of their child. This helps to ensure that children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are very well cared for, in keeping with the wishes of their parents and carers.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides. The childminder organises the space available effectively so as to provide a very good variety of age appropriate resource and learning opportunities for the children. Child friendly storage systems allow the children to self-select resources and activities with ease. This helps to promote and nurture their decision making and independence skills.

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Organisation

The childminder has a very good understanding of policies and procedures. These are used efficiently to ensure that children are very well cared for and that their individual needs are effectively met. The required documentation is in place and is very well organised and presented. This helps to support operational procedures.

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Organisation

The childminder shows commitment to the continued development of her skills and good practice. This is demonstrated through her willingness to seek out and complete relevant training. For example, since the last inspection she has completed training in respect of food safety and hygiene, supporting vulnerable children and families, basic health and hygiene, working with families exposed to domestic violence, the 'Birth to three matters' framework and an Introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate which enables her to administer emergency first aid to children should this be necessary.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve safety measures and to provided resources and activities to promote equal opportunity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The internal doors no longer contain low level glass panels. The rear yard is not being used for childminding purposes at present. Children have access to a good selection of resources and activities to help raise their awareness of diversity. This helps to improve the care and safety of the children.

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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 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): • ensure that the bathroom is kept free of hazardous items at all times • ensure that children hand wash before eating snacks.

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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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