Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 313466 Inspection date 22 November 2005 Inspector Pauline Pinnegar

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1988. She lives with her husband in a house in the Chilton area of County Durham. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The house is situated within walking distance of schools, shops and recreational play areas. The childminder is registered to care for 6 children and currently cares for 10 children under 8 years, and 3 children over 8 years. Children attend on both full and part-time schedules. The childminder's husband is also registered alongside his wife and when

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 both childminder's are present they can care for a maximum of 9 children with a total of 6 children under 5 years.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are helped to stay healthy because the childminder has a detailed, well implemented sickness policy, which protects herself and other children attending. Children are actively encouraged to wash their hands. For example, following messy activities, after using the toilet and before meals. This is supported by sound explanations about germs, which helps children to understand simple good health and hygiene practices. Children are also encouraged to brush their teeth after meals with each child having their own toothbrush. The childminder adopts very effective nappy changing routines with all nappies binned outdoors. Gloves are worn during changing. The childminder provides a very nutritionally balanced diet for children, which includes five portions of fruit and vegetables each day, avoiding unnecessary additives. This ensures children are well nourished and enjoy healthy snacks such as

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Helping children to be healthy

chopped banana, water melon, grapes and cheese cubes. Older children help prepare meals such as vegetable soup. Younger children help to mash the potatoes at lunch times and to prepare and cook food for picnics. Good manners are promoted and meal times are a very happy sociable occasion. All the vegetables are grown in the garden by the childminder's husband and children help to plant potatoes, carrots and tomatoes and watch them grow. Children are widely encouraged to taste new foods on a weekly basis, such as, Chinese Dragon fruit, Russian bread and cheeses from around the world. Shopping trips are incorporated into activity planning to enable children to visit supermarkets to purchase some of these special foods. Children enjoy an abundance of daily physical activity, such as indoor musical games, walks to local parks, flying kites, and younger children develop gross motor skills using the large apparatus at toddler group. The childminder works very

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Helping children to be healthy

successfully with children's parents to ensure that they rest and sleep according to their own individual needs. Older children learn about a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children thrive in a safe, secure, warm and very welcoming environment. Many activities take place in the dining room which is child centred and attractively decorated with an abundance of children's art work, photos, posters and educational displays. They feature colours, numbers, maps and flags. Children access safe toys and equipment, which the childminder constantly develops to provide variety. All are kept clean, are in excellent condition and presented invitingly to children at floor level and in easy access storage units. This successfully promotes their developing

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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 independence. Children's safety is well considered by the childminder. For example, all equipment such as cupboard safety catches, fire guards and safety gates are always in place, and fire drills are carried out regularly with the children. The childminder ensures that her car seats are correctly fitted, which further ensures children's safety. Children are effectively learning to keep themselves safe, as the childminder talks to them about crossing the road safely and the potential dangers around water. Children are encouraged to tidy away toys when they have finished with them, to minimise the risk of accidents. The childminder implements required health and safety procedures appropriately. She has a clear understanding of her responsibilities within the Area Child Protection

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Procedures, so that children are effectively protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very well settled and enjoy the high quality care provided by the childminder. The childminder talks to the children with enthusiasm and they respond positively with lots of conversation, laughter and giggles. Children receive constant praise and encouragement, which makes them feel good about themselves. They are extremely confident and highly motivated as they eagerly participate in a superior range of first hand experiences. Effective use is made of the excellent toys and resources to provide a rich, varied and exciting day for the children. For example, they become engrossed when exploring paint at the easel. Children independently choose from an excellent range of well maintained equipment, which is interesting and provides optimal challenge to them. The childminder provides a rich and interesting programme of activities that promote children’s learning such as visits to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the Hancock Museum and Durham Cathedral. Children are confident and fully engaged in the daily routine. They lead play ideas and actively contribute to activity planning. Effective use is made of materials such as the Birth to three matters framework to prepare activities and experiences to meet the growing needs of the younger children. The childminder is currently developing treasure baskets for very young children to enable them to explore their senses with a range of materials and textures. Children's learning is enhanced by exceptional informal planning. Planning is theme based and often include elements to broaden the children's awareness of the world around them. For example, they have explored frogs in the park and older children use the internet, under supervision, to assist with their homework. They participate in topics such as Halloween, growing pumpkins. Younger children enjoy using musical instruments from around the world and the piano.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children have very warm and affectionate relationships with the childminder. They enjoy reassuring cuddles and physical contact as they play together. Children receive consistently high quality interactions and support from the childminder. Children benefit from the childminder's acute interest in what they say and do. She consistently talks and listens to them building their language skills, self-esteem and confidence. She asks questions to make them think effectively and responds

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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 enthusiastically, giving praise and encouragement. Children are very happy and enjoy their play and spend time purposefully engaged in dynamic activities. The excellent provision of co-ordinating resources, such as toys promotes children's independence and self esteem. Children's behaviour is good overall. The childminder uses gentle reminders to reinforce boundaries, and praise and encouragement are a regular feature. The children know what is expected of them, because the childminder is exceedingly clear when asking them to complete certain tasks, such as tidying away the toys. The childminder asks lots of questions to stimulate children's imagination, shown well, as they make connections between their play and their home life when exploring play dough. Children enjoy a host of art and craft activities and have recently made

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Diwas candles and make their own individual Christmas cakes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder works effectively with parents to understand children's needs and build on home experiences to promote self assurance. Parent's report highly about the provision and excellent relationships have been developed. Children develop self esteem as they plan their own play and enjoy regular outings in the local community. They use a good range of resources which raise their awareness of difference and of the wider world. Children have explored topics such as Judaism, Hinduism, particularly the festival of light. Children are confident and happy and choose freely what they wish to play. Toys and resources are easily accessible promoting children's independence and self esteem. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement as they play. Rules are simple but clear, and the childminder explains the reasons for them. Children understand, for example, why they must tidy toys away and keep small pieces in the play room or on

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the table. Older children are helpful and show awareness of the needs of younger ones. The childminder helps children to begin to consider the needs and feelings of others as they share toys and learn to try to resolve some difficulties for themselves. Children are developing a growing awareness of themselves, and their own abilities. They begin to take responsibility for their own behaviour and show that they understand why certain rules are in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder and her co-childminder are suitably vetted. She has attended all the mandatory training and is currently embarking in training with her local childminding network, which will enhance the service she offers to children. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of child development and she organises her day to meet children's needs and interests. She works within her numbers at all times to

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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 ensure children receive a high level of care and individual attention. All documentation is in very good order, well organised and up-to-date, however, although there is a written procedure in place with regard to complaints the documentation has not been developed in line with changes to the National Standards. The childminder respects the confidentiality of children and their families by ensuring that her documentation is kept securely locked. Overall, the childminding service meets the needs of the range of children for whom care is provided.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was to develop resources to reflect diversity. This issue has been dealt with effectively. Children have access to a varied range of resources which reflect positive images of diversity including books, dolls, dressing up clothes and musical instruments. They also have various food tasting activities incorporated in their day such as Indian and Chinese foods. This promotes children's understanding of the wider world and different cultures.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 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): • develop the complaints procedure in line with changes to National Standards.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website:

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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 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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