Childminder in North Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 310047 Inspection date 08 November 2005 Inspector Julie Larner

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives in North Tyneside. She lives here with her two older sons and her husband. Areas of the house that continue to be used are, the living room, dining room and kitchen, on the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden area for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and currently cares for four children on a part-time basis.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have satisfactory opportunities to enjoy outdoor play in the summer months and gain an awareness of the benefits of exercise. However, children's opportunities for physical exercise are more limited during the winter months. Children enjoy walks to and from school and the childminder's good understanding of individual children ensures that they develop their independence. For example, children are allowed to walk alongside the childminder. The childminder's influence on healthy eating at all times is limited due to parents providing packed lunches for children. However children are provided with healthy snacks, such as fruit, that meet their individual dietary needs. Children are cared for in a clean and warm environment where they are learning about good personal care. This is due to the childminder's clear policy for washing hands at appropriate times. The childminder uses fun ideas to encourage children to

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

do this. For example, by providing hand washing foam. The childminder safeguards children's welfare by holding a current first aid certificate and recording accidents and medications. However, she needs to ensure that written permission is gained before administering medication and that parents sign the accident and medication records to keep them fully informed of their child's care.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children learn about how to keep themselves safe due to the childminder's sensitive reminders about safety and explanations to help children learn why they must not do things. For example, the childminder asks children not to sit on the arms of chairs as they may fall off and hurt themselves. Children move freely and safely around the setting as the childminder places high priority on minimising risks to children and has appropriate equipment in place to keep children safe. Children are beginning to learn about basic road safety. They hold hands when outside and know that they must stop to cross roads. The childminder encourages children to be observant when crossing roads by asking them to look for traffic as they cross. Children enjoy playing with a satisfactory range of toys that interest them. Children make choices about what they wish to play with as the childminder stores toys in

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

boxes that children can easily access. Children's work is valued and helps to create a warm and welcoming environment. For example, the childminder displays children's drawings on the doors. Children's welfare is safeguarded due to the childminder's satisfactory understanding

p.3

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 of child protection issues.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the setting. They make choices about what they want to do as the day consists of mainly free play sessions for children. Children are confident and enjoy including the childminder in their play. For example, they pretend to cut her hair. Children have good relationships with the childminder. She helps them to learn about completing simple tasks for themselves by encouraging them to try to put their shoes and coats on. However, they also feel comfortable about asking her for support. For example, when they need help to put on their shoes. Children can communicate their needs well and the childminder supports these by comforting children well when they feel upset. Children are beginning to develop mainly good relationships with other children. They enjoy talking to each other and sometimes play together well.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are beginning to learn about their local community. The childminder plans regular activities such as taking children on weekly outings to the library and occasional visits to the park to feed the ducks, which the children enjoy. However children do not have sufficient and valued opportunities to learn about the wider world and people with differences. Behaviour is mainly good. Children enjoy playing together and are starting to learn about sharing on occasion as the childminder talks to them about this. The childminder provides a good role model for children by encouraging them to think about how their actions affects others and to apologise. Children listen well to instructions and are beginning to learn about how they should sort out disputes as the childminder supports them with this. For example, she explains why they should say sorry and how some things are accidents.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnerships with parents are positive. Due to the childminder obtaining good comprehensive information about children she is able to fully meet their needs and pass on relevant information to parents to keep them well informed.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is well organised. She makes appropriate use of her time, space and resources to create a suitable environment for children. The children are safe,

p.4

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 settled, secure and confident within their environment. Children are safe and free from harm because the childminder has a reasonable knowledge of the National Standards and is mostly successful in interpreting them. Documentation is up to date and mostly recorded well. However, some documentation is not in place; for example, written parental consent to administer medication for some children. Overall, the needs of the children are met.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. This has not been fully implemented successfully, although, some progress has been made. Children feel confident to play with all of the toys ensuring that equality of opportunity is promoted well in the setting. However, little has been done to ensure children can learn about people with differences and the wider world. The importance of this was discussed at length with the childminder and raised as a recommendation to enhance the quality of care.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Concerns were raised with regard to National Standard 1, Suitable Person. An unannounced visit was made by a childcare inspector to the provision to discuss the concerns. Appropriate actions were agreed to meet the National Standards. Ofsted are satisfied that the provider remains qualified for registration. The provider is required to keep a record of all complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should

p.5

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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that written parental permission to administer medication is in place for all children and the accident and medication record is signed by parents • provide opportunities for children to learn about the wider world through a range of fun and exciting activities and resources.

p.5

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: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.6

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

p.6