Childminder in South Tyneside

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 312502 Inspection date 03 November 2005 Inspector Cathryn Parry

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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 1992. She lives with her husband, adult daughter and 14 year old son, in the residential area of Hebburn in Tyne and Wear. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed yard for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a pet rabbit.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are adequately nourished as parents have the option to bring their own meals and the childminder provides snacks, such as fruit and crisps. They can ask for drinks, as well as having diluted juice and water offered at meal times. Children enjoy accessing opportunities for physical play, including the use of climbing equipment at the local park. The flexible routine incorporates time for quiet play and rest, enhancing children’s wellbeing. Children are learning good personal hygiene routines, for instance washing their hands after using the toilet and before meals. Effective policies, very good relationships with parents and relevant training ensure individual children are cared for well should they become ill. This reduces the risk of cross infection. The majority of relevant documentation with regard to health, including specific dietary needs and consent forms is in place and up-to-date. These positively safeguard children’s

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Helping children to be healthy

wellbeing. However medication forms are not countersigned by parents, which has a negative impact on children's welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are safeguarded well as the childminder’s home is secure at all times. This is supplemented with effective procedures for adults collecting children. They are able to explore safely, using clean and generally well-maintained resources. Children who go on outings are kept safe as the childminder is vigilant and encourages good routines, such as using the Green Cross Code. Most safety equipment is in place reducing the risk of accidents. However there is no smoke detector on the first floor, which has a detrimental effect on children's welfare. The childminder’s current child protection knowledge is satisfactory; however she is not completely familiar with procedures to follow, which has a negative impact on children being fully safeguarded. Appropriate documentation contributes positively to children’s overall safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are eager to participate in the variety of activities provided. These offer appropriate challenge for their age and stage of development. Good use is made of the local area giving children a breadth of opportunities, which the childminder extends. They collect shells from the beach and leaves from the park to make collage pictures. This inspires children to be creative and increases their knowledge of the natural world.

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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 A very good balance of individual and group experiences, incorporating regular visits to the local parent and toddler group, develop children's social skills. Interaction between the childminder and children is very good, which enhances their communication skills. Children enjoy using their imagination, including dressing up and role play. The broad range of resources and appropriate low-level storage stimulates children’s overall development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the friendly and welcoming environment, which is clean and well maintained. A good induction procedure ensures individual needs are met well. Children are starting to learn right from wrong, through appropriate support and explanations by the childminder. They generally share and take turns well, for instance when playing games. Children show concern for each other, including comforting one another if they are upset. The childminder’s confident approach to equal opportunities actively contributes to children’s positive attitudes to the wider community. This is complemented with access to a reasonable selection of resources. She has an adequate understanding of behaviour management strategies resulting in children's behaviour being good. Positive steps are taken to ensure that parents are kept well informed about all relevant policies and procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s play opportunities are maximised through the effective organisation of space, time and resources. Well-planned indoor space enables children to participate fully in quieter games, music and movement and creative play. Effective use of time enables children to participate in a variety of experiences within the childminder's home and in the local community. Low-level storage of resources encourages free choice and independence. Documentation for each child is organised well and stored confidentially, ensuring children's privacy is maintained. The childminder's certificate of registration is not displayed, which has a negative impact on parents' understanding of her individual conditions of registration. The childminder’s ongoing commitment to training and participation in a quality assurance scheme has a positive impact on the standard of care provided. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to ensure she adhered to the conditions of her registration, that she introduced a no smacking policy and that all

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 relevant paperwork was in place. She has addressed all the above, which has a positive impact on children's overall wellbeing.

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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 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 medication forms are countersigned • ensure smoke detectors are fixed on both floors • familiarise self with child protection procedure • ensure registration certificate is displayed.

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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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