Childminder in Sunderland

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY301173 Inspection date 30 November 2005 Inspector Marilyn Besford

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her partner and their 4 children, aged 11, 12, 13 and 14-years-old, in the Biddick Wood area of Shiney Row. The areas of the premises used for childminding purposes are the ground floor of the house, except the utility room, and the main bedroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for up to 3 children at any one time. She is currently caring, at varying times, for 3 children, all under 5-years-old. She attends local toddler groups and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 good. Children's health is well promoted through, the childminder's careful attention to all aspects of health care and hygiene. Children are learning to keep themselves healthy and become independent in their personal care, through the childminder's good example and teaching. For example, older children know about washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating. They ask for tissues to wipe their noses themselves. The risks of cross infection between children are minimised by the childminder's good hygiene standards and healthcare practices. For example, her good arrangements for nappy changing and her policy of not caring for sick children. Children's day-to- day health care needs are met effectively because the childminder has most information and records. However, she does not have clear written permission from parents to seek medical advice or treatment in an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet with careful attention paid to special dietary needs, such as allergies, which are fully discussed with parents. Their well-being is enhanced by mealtimes being an enjoyable social occasion. Physical health and development is well-promoted, as the children take part in daily indoor and outdoor activities. They have fun, learning that exercise is enjoyable and developing physical skills as they go for walks. They use push and pull toys, sing, dance and do action rhymes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are being cared for in a safe and child centred environment, with plenty of space for all types of activity. They are able to move around freely and have independent access to their play materials, which are kept in safe, low level storage. Their play and care needs are well supported by a good range of equipment and play materials, appropriate for their ages, stage of development and interests. Children's safety is effectively ensured by the childminder's careful attention to minimising risks. For example, she uses safety equipment where needed, such as socket covers; ensuring that children do not have access to hazardous substances, like cleaning materials. Children are beginning to develop a sense of how to keep themselves safe, as the childminder encourages them to help tidy toys away. This helps prevent people tripping, and teaches them about road safety when out for

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

walks. The childminder's clear understanding of her responsibilities regarding child protection means that children are kept safe from possible abuse or neglect. She knows the procedure to follow to deal with any concerns about a child's welfare.

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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 secure and comfortable in the childminder's home. They benefit from a warm and close relationship with her, with full attention paid to their individual and special needs. Although the childminder is not following the Birth to three matters framework, children's development is very well promoted through her good knowledge of how children learn and develop. She provides children with a comprehensive range of toys, equipment and activities. She ensures that they take part in a wide variety of stimulating and enjoyable play experiences in her home and at toddler group, widening their social opportunities. This helps them foster their learning and development well, although sometimes an opportunity for practising skills is not used fully, such as, cutting up fruit for a snack, and not getting the child to help. The well-organised activities, like messy play, jigsaw puzzles, building with

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Duplo, looking at books and sharing stories. This promote children's physical, language, counting and thinking skills well. Children are very well supported by sensitive and responsive interaction with the childminder, as she talks and listens carefully to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals. Older ones show a sense of belonging in the childminder's home. For example, they know where their play materials are kept and which are their seats for meals. They are beginning to have some independence in choosing toys and helping to tidy up. They know the routines of their care and the expectations for behaviour. Their behaviour is good and they respond well to gentle reminders. This includes not touching the TV, and distraction techniques to divert them. They are beginning to learn about the local community around them, as they go for walks, and see the diversity of the wider world, through a good range of play materials, books and figures. All children's varying needs and special requirements are clearly established and met very well. A very good partnership with parents ensures information is effectively shared, in written and verbal forms; enabling all children's needs to be considered

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and met effectively. Children benefit from the trust and confidence their parents have in the childminder, as parents have expressed in writing.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder's good organisation effectively promotes children's care. This contributes to them being secure and settled, as well as receiving warm and individual care. Carefully considered use of play space and well planned storage

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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 mean children can make choices and begin to be independent. The good organisation of daily routines, such as mealtimes, means that children are well-supported in their daily care. The childminder is knowledgeable about the National Standards and understands how they underpin all aspects of children's care, enabling children to receive high quality care. The children benefit from her commitment to seeking continuous improvement by developing her skills and knowledge. She takes responsibility for actively seeking relevant training, such as rearranging a first aid course unavoidably delayed by family circumstances. A very well-organised system of record-keeping means that information on each child is readily available and shared with parents, ensuring continuity of care for the

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Organisation

children. A record of attendance is kept with children's regular hours of care. However, times of arrival and departure are not fully up to date. Contracts and child record forms have all required information. There are measures in place to ensure care is given in accordance with parents' wishes. There are signed consent forms for transport, outings and day-to-day medication. However, there is no signed permission for emergency treatment. The records contribute to children receiving good daily care. Overall, the needs of the children who attend are met well.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for young children • ensure the record of attendance includes all relevant information and is kept up to date • request written permission from parents for seeking medical advice or treatment in the event of an emergency.

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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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