Childminder in Gateshead

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 311703 Inspection date 05 December 2005 Inspector Shirley Peart

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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 1986. She lives with her husband and adult son, in the village of Ryton, Tyne and Wear. On occasions, her husband operates as her childminding assistant. Local community facilities are within walking distance which include shops, library, schools and a park. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a paved outdoor area at the front of the house, available for supervised outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time

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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 is currently minding four children under 5 years and three children over 5 years mainly on a part-time, varied basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a very clean, well maintained and child friendly environment. Babies sleep as part of their home routine and children's personal care needs are well met, as the childminder supervises and assists them in the bathroom area. Children have lots of opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they are often out and about. For example, they go for walks to a local nature area, attend regular toddler groups and a soft play facility. This ensures that their overall physical needs are effectively met. Children clearly enjoy their healthy food, such as substantial dinners. They manage very well at meal times and are very independent. For example, they use child size knives and forks well, choose their yoghurts from the fridge and add their own sprinkles. They clearly enjoy the social occasion of mealtimes, as they sit up at the table and hold relevant conversations with each other and the childminder. She talks

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Helping children to be healthy

to parents regarding children's likes, dislikes and allergies and also encourages children to try different foods by gentle coaxing. This ensures that their nutritional needs are met very well and that they are given the food that they like. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has relevant documentation in place should a child need medication or have an accident. Very few accidents have occurred since the child minder started childminding many years ago, which is good. Therefore, children are well supervised and cared for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The environment is stimulating and child centred. Children play in the designated playroom or living room area which are both fully set out for the children. They have easy access to an abundance of safe, age appropriate toys and equipment, which are in very good condition. Children move easily and freely within the secure home environment and there is plenty of floor space available for them to play. Safety practices are good. The childminder uses a combination of supervision, discussion with the children on staying safe and a range of child safety equipment. This ensures that they are safe within the home, when out and about and when in the car. Appropriate information and procedures are in place regarding child protection. The childminder clearly understands what to do should she have concerns. This ensures that children's welfare is protected appropriately.

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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 outstanding. Children are very happy and fully engrossed in their activities. Their choices are acknowledged very well as they thoroughly enjoy playing with the play dough or the role play equipment. They are extremely settled and relate very well to the childminder. She approaches children in a natural way and there is lots of warm, spontaneous interaction between them. The children are actively involved in a range of stimulating activities. They are highly motivated and very animated when they engage in play and they have lots of fun. Throughout the session their learning and development is enhanced exceptionally well, as they make their choices regarding what they want to do. Children are eager and lively when they play with the toys or the dressing up equipment and they engage enthusiastically in child initiated play. For example, when they 'trot' around wearing the riding hat and pretend to be a 'jockey', or when they hold imaginary

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

conversations on the phone. They concentrate well and are very interested. For example, during quiet times when they choose to read their favourite book with the childminder or when they join in socially with planned creative activities. Children are confident and highly animated when holding conversations with the childminder. She asks open ended questions on relevant events, which makes them think and respond. Therefore, they engage in lively conversations with her and enthusiastically tell her their news. This enhances their language development very well. She is fully supportive and engaged in their play. Therefore, children achieve very well and thoroughly enjoy what they do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder knows the children and families very well. She knows the children's personalities and meets their needs exceptionally well. Therefore children are very well cared for. They have good opportunities to play with a range of toys that reflect equal opportunities and abilities, as these are readily available to them. Children's behaviour is good, they play socially and get on well. They receive lots of positive praise from the childminder. She manages to prevent conflicts, due to her exceptional distraction techniques and very good management of the children's behaviour. Parents are very pleased with the care their children receive. They feel that she is an excellent and supportive childminder and that their children love coming to her. She gives the parents and children sufficient time to settle into her provision, depending on their individual needs. She has a very friendly approach and excellent

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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 organisation is good. Children benefit from being in the care of a dedicated and very experienced childminder who clearly enjoys her work. She is an obvious, popular choice, as many parents choose to use her services for their children. Children's all round development is fostered very well, as they benefit from a varied week with the childminder. For example, they regularly attend childminder drop-in groups, toddler groups, soft play and go to the library. General activities, toys and equipment available for the children are good. However, developing knowledge on the Birth to three matters framework and use of more natural and found materials, would benefit the children and enhance the good practice already in place. Documentation is up to date and very well organised. Written parental consent is

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Organisation

obtained where necessary, which ensures that children are cared for according to parental wishes. Overall, the setting meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to: ensure that electrical sockets were inaccessible to children; provide toys that reflect different abilities and to obtain parental permission and record the times when the assistant was in sole charge of the children. All electrical sockets are now protected, which enhances children's safety. The childminder has made good efforts to provide a variety of toys that reflect different abilities for the children and all documentation regarding the assistant is in place.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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):

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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 • consider using more safe, natural, real and found materials in practice and develop knowledge on the Birth to three matters framework.

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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: 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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