Childminder in North Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 309984 Inspection date 01 December 2005 Inspector Cilla Burdis

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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 satisfactory. 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 1993. She lives with her husband and two grown-up children, in a residential area of North Tyneside. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding four pre-school children and one child after school. She also cares for one child aged over 8 years. The childminder either walks or uses the car to accompany children to and from school. The childminder regularly attends local carer

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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 and toddler groups. There are no family pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's physical development and good health are promoted effectively, through opportunities for outdoor play and visits to soft play. Children often walk to local amenities, rather than using public transport, as part of a healthy lifestyle. Children begin to develop an understanding of good hygiene and personal care. They are encouraged to wash their hands regularly to reduce the risk of infection. They enjoy helping to wash the dishes after a baking activity or cleaning the baby toys. The older children like to help the younger children to learn new skills for example, when getting dressed to go outside. The childminder's sickness policy is implemented effectively to protect children from illness and infection. The childminder works in partnership with parents to provide a healthy diet for the children. Although parents take responsibility for providing their child's meals, the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder occasionally supplements with healthy snacks including fresh fruit and vegetables. Mealtimes are social occasions when the children's skills and independence are encouraged.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming home, where most risks to children's safety have been identified and minimised. This means that generally, children can move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder displays a satisfactory understanding of the potential risks to children's safety but, in some instances, she does not take measures to reduce the risk effectively before the children arrive. The childminder raises children's awareness, with regard to promoting their own safety on the premises and on outings, by setting clear limits and providing sensitive reminders. Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment. The childminder rotates the toys, she sets out for the children, to provide a variety of experiences. The older children know they can make requests for specific activities. The childminder has most of the required procedures and documents in place to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. A clearer understanding of child protection procedures would enhance children's safety further.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settle extremely well in the childminder's home. They share warm and trusting relationships with the childminder and are very keen to communicate with her, sharing ideas and playing games together. Excellent relationships have developed with the childminder who is very responsive and sensitive to each child's needs. The children are developing very good friendships. They play well together and older children provide very good levels of support to the younger children. The childminder has a good knowledge of child development and how children learn. This means that children's personal, social, emotional and intellectual development are well supported. She plans a wide range of activities, geared towards the individual development needs of each child and she provides a good selection of quality toys and books to support learning and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident, independent and secure in their environment because the childminder strives to ensure their individual needs are met. She obtains written information from parents when their children first attend, detailing all their child's care needs. Children are beginning to have an understanding of the wider world and a sense of respect for others. This is developed through play using a good range of resources, which are reflective of the diversity of our society. Children's behaviour is very good. They play harmoniously together and learn that they must show consideration for the needs and feelings of others. The childminder has good strategies in place for managing children's behaviour, which are appropriate to the ages and stages of the children attending. The childminder communicates with parents on a daily basis. They share information about the children's care and activities when they bring and collect their children. The

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder values good relationships with parents, which contribute to the continuity in children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are very happy and at home in the well organised environment. They are able to self select from the accessible toys and resources, which enables independence. Their experiences are broadened by visiting local amenities, including toddler groups and parks. Children take part in a good variety of activities to support their development. The childminder organises her time effectively, in accordance with the children's needs and individual routines. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children attending, well.

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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 The childminder maintains all the required documentation but some amendments are required to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded, with regard to the administration of medication. Although the childminder is careful to retain confidentiality of family details, the recording of accidents does not ensure this. Currently, the childminder does not have the document which details the latest changes to the National Standards.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, it was recommended that the childminder has an accident and medication book that is clearly marked and readily available. The childminder has addressed this recommendation effectively however, some minor amendments to the recording system have been recommended as a result of this inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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 satisfactory. 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 aspects of safety are addressed before children attend • review child protection guidance and procedures to ensure a clear understanding of what to do if concerns are raised • ensure confidentiality of information when recording and sharing details of accidents • keep a record of medication administered to children, which confirms that parental instructions have been followed • ensure the latest changes to the National Standards are implemented effectively.

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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 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

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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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