Childminder in Gateshead

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 311662 Inspection date 27 October 2005 Inspector Janet Fairhurst

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 11 and 9 years. The family live in the Blaydon area of Gateshead. The house is within walking distance of schools, shops and other local amenities in the village of Winlaton. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. Minded children do not have access to the upstairs bedrooms. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family has a pet cat and two gerbils.

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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 The childminder is a member of the local childminding network. She is registered to provide care for five children at any one time and is currently minding six children all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contributes to their good health. There are daily outings to the local parks, toddler groups, soft play and other places of interest where children can run, jump and climb. Through discussion children are learning about the way activity affects their bodies. For example, as they reflect on what happened to their heart when they walked up the steep hill. The childminder has a good understanding of the children's need for a wide variety of physical play to build their confidence and ensure their health, growth and development. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They learn when they need to wash their hands, for example, before meals and after visiting the toilet. Good hygiene arrangements are in place during nappy changing routines that help prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from infection and ill health because the childminder is well informed about children's health care matters. Children's dietary needs are met and they benefit from healthy snacks, such as fresh fruit, dried fruit and vegetables. Children confidently choose when they want a drink. Younger children are regularly offered drinks to ensure they are not thirsty. The childminder takes into account the wishes of parents and complies with any special requirements to meet children's dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment that is warm and welcoming, where space has been organised to offer a safer environment. Children are protected from hazards within the home because the childminder is safety conscious and holds a first aid certificate. Children are beginning to understand about the need to stay safe. Through the childminder's encouragement they learn to put away toys and recognise this will help to prevent accidents. Children learn about the safe use of the road as the childminder talks to them about the hazards to raise their awareness and encourages them to hold hands. The childminder provides children with appropriate explanations and opportunities to practice fire evacuations, however, these are not recorded. Children have ample space to play within the childminder's home, this allows them to move freely and safely as they access a range of appropriate equipment and play

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

resources. These are all well-organised in child-height furniture, which encourages children to become independent and promotes their self-help skills.

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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 Children's welfare is protected through the childminder's good knowledge of child protection. She has a good understanding about the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and knows the procedures to follow if concerns are raised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident, curious and settled in the childminder's home. They experience a varied range of activities which contributes to their development inside and outside the home. They socialise with other children at the toddler groups they attend and visit a variety of interesting places. Close and caring relationships have been established between the children and the childminder, this contributes to children's sense of trust and helps to develop a strong sense of self. Children are gaining independence and self confidence because the childminder encourages them to make choices and explore their toys. Children co-operate well with each other. They are learning to share and take turns whilst participating in imaginative play. They gain good levels of self esteem through constant praise from the childminder who tells them when they have done something well. The childminder spends her time playing with the children, listening and talking

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to them; this helps to sustain their interest and supports the development of new skills, such as counting and naming colours. The childminder organises consistent routines throughout the day so that children have times for rest and quiet as well as active games; this helps to ensure that children are secure and know what to expect.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have their individual needs met. The childminder knows the children well and ensures that she has good information from parents. Settling in is flexible according to the children's needs, for example, parents can stay with their child until they feel they have settled. Children settle well in a home from home environment and enjoy the childminder's company. They are able to take part in the wider community with visits to a variety of local venues. Children benefit positively from the childminder's consistent and appropriate approach to behaviour management. They learn how to share and play co-operatively and they receive praise and recognition from the childminder for this; as a result children's behaviour is very good. A good partnership between parents has been established. Their views about the children's needs and interests are actively sought before the child starts. Information

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Helping children make a positive contribution

is shared daily about what children have done during the day and of their general well-being. Parents have access to excellent written information in the form of policies and procedures, which ensures that they are fully informed of the service that

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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 is offered and helps to contribute to the continuity in the children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in an environment which fosters their independence and provides them with opportunities to develop. They have fun with the childminder and feel at home where they can access a wide range of play materials and resources. They have a familiar daily routine which provides them with security and confidence. The childminder is committed to the ongoing development of the provision and has attended several training courses, such as fire safety training and common childhood illness; this helps to extend and develop her skills and knowledge. The childminder organises the premises well. The lay-out helps to maximise play opportunities and allows good levels of supervision to take place without overly encroaching on children's play; as a result children are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder has a good understanding of the need to maintain records. All the

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Organisation

required paperwork is very well organised and used well to promote the welfare of the children. Registers and records meet all regulatory requirements and are easily available. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to update information relating to child protection and to ensure parents are aware of how to make a complaint. The childminder has updated the information relating to child protection and has also attended a training course in this area which improves the overall safety of the children. She also prominently displays a poster which clearly outlines to parents the procedure to follow if they wish to make a complaint.

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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

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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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): • record when emergency escape procedures have been carried out.

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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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