Childminder in NorthumberlandOfsted inspection, 20 Oct 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY307808 Inspection date 20 October 2005 Inspector Marie Mcconville

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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 has been registered since 2005. She lives with her partner and 2 children, aged 8 years and 2 years, in a three bedroom mid terrace house on the outskirts of the town of Ashington in Northumberland. Transport systems are regular, making the setting easily accessible. Provisions for young children are varied and include carer and toddler groups, nurseries and schools all within walking distance. Children have access to the living room and breakfasting kitchen on the ground floor and bathroom on the first floor. There is access to a rear yard for outdoor play.

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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 There are currently 6 children on roll who attend on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are becoming aware of personal hygiene through good daily routines and sensitive, gentle reminders about hand washing after toileting, before meals and snacks and after outdoor play. Procedures in place regarding the admission of sick children help promote children's health by minimising the potential for cross infection. The well being of children is supported through the use of satisfactory methods to record accidents and medication. However, there is no written parental permission in place to administer medication or seek further treatment. Children have access to healthy and nutritious meals and snacks provided by parents and the childminder. Children select snacks from fresh fruit that is supplied daily and are able to access drinks as they want them. Daily discussions with parents and access to daily diaries in respect of young children's food and fluid intake, help keep

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Helping children to be healthy

parents informed so that children's health is promoted through good information about dietary needs. The childminder ensures that children have access to regular opportunities to develop their physical skills through energetic outdoor play, outings to local parks, areas of interest and carer and toddler groups which all contribute to children's good health.

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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 well maintained, comfortable home where some risks are minimised through the use of appropriate safety devices. However, the abundance of toys and equipment mean that there is insufficient free, available floor space so that children's movement is restricted and minor accidents occur. Children's outings are planned in advance to ensure the venue is appropriate and safe. They learn about keeping safe on outings through routine, simple discussion about road safety. The range of good quality toys and activities is exceptional, regular routines for checking individual toys and equipment mean that items are safe and do not present hazards. Toys and activities for younger children are stored so that access is easy and children have great freedom of choice about what they want to play with, promoting independence and confidence. Activities for older children are very well

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

stored on shelving units and are accessed through negotiation, ensuring that small pieces do not present potential hazards to younger children. The childminder has some written policies in place that are adhered to and promote the safety and well being of children. She has a sound knowledge of some aspects of child protection issues. However, Area Child Protection Committee Guidelines are

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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 not available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and gaining in confidence in their environment. The childminder interacts well with the children; she talks and plays with them so that they are making good progress in their development and emerging second language. The childminder gives regular praise and encouragement so that children are growing in confidence and are developing good self-esteem. Children use their imagination well, playing for prolonged periods of time with the garage and extensive range of vehicles. The childminder uses good questioning techniques to help children recall past events, such as a visit to watch the trains on the local railway line, that children recall with pleasure and delight, using their emerging second language to describe what was seen. The childminder understands how children learn through their play. She provides an excellent range of good quality play materials and plans activities in advance that

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

appeal to the varying age ranges of children, promoting children's progress in all areas of their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about the wider world and their own community through access to toys and shared activities, such as television programmes and videos that feature other cultures and communities. The childminder makes use of the internet to find out about the individual cultures of children she cares for so that she has an awareness of their country of origin to help promote the care she gives. The childminder's positive and non-stereotypical attitudes and her simple discussions with children help give value to each child as an individual. Outings in the local area help develop children's knowledge and understanding of the community they live in as they visit carer and toddler groups, schools and local areas that interest individual children. Children are valued as individuals. The childminder listens carefully to what children say; they are encouraged to make choices about what they want to play with and are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

able to choose the fruit they eat at snack time, promoting their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder uses a range of techniques to manage children's behaviour that help them learn to share, take turns and think about the needs of others. She shares a written policy with parents about behaviour management promoting a consistent approach that helps children understand right from wrong. Positive relationships with parents have been developed that help promote the care that is given. Parents are made welcome in the childminder's home to exchange daily information about their child. The childminder shares daily diaries with some parents who are encouraged to make entries. A range of written policies relating to health

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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 and safety, equal opportunities and behaviour management are shared with parents. This practice contributes to the continuity in children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The appropriate organisation of daily routines for free play, social interactions, resting and eating result in children settling well, gaining in confidence and developing good relationships with each other and the childminder. All required documentation is in place, maintained satisfactorily and stored confidentially. The childminder has a range of policies and procedures, with plans in place to extend and develop them, to promote continuing improvement of the service she provides. The childminder's sound understanding of the National Standards and how she applies them, promotes the safety and well being of children so that overall the provision meets the needs of the children who are cared for.

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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 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):

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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 • ensure there is sufficient, available, free floor space so that children can move around freely and safely • ensure a copy of the Area Child Protection Committee guidelines are available • ensure written, parental permission is in place prior to administering medication or seeking other treatment

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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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