Childminder in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY301127 Inspection date 01 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 was registered in June 2005. She lives with her child aged 2 years, in the west of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The home is situated close to all of the amenities in the west end of Newcastle. The rooms used for children are all on one level and there is a fully enclosed back yard area for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding four children under 5 years on a part-time basis. She 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 and well being is fostered very well. The childminder is vigilant regarding their health. For example, when children look or feel unwell, she keeps a close eye on them and takes their temperature, which ensures that they are monitored appropriately. The childminder discusses the health care needs of children with the parents, such as emergency medical treatment. Although written consent was not obtained, she has sought professional advice on this. Parents are given a copy of her procedures, which includes what she would do should a medical emergency occur. Adding this to the contracts would ensure that parents agree to the procedure and that they have been informed. Children make good attempts to manage their own self-care tasks, such as taking off their coats and shoes after being outdoors. They control their bodies well and use a range of different movements during physical dancing activities. They get plenty of

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Helping children to be healthy

fresh air, as they regularly walk to and from playschool. This ensures that their overall physical needs are effectively met. Children enjoy their individual packets of vitamin c 'gum bears' as an alternative to sweets. The childminder is used to preparing fresh, wholesome food, as she has background experience in this area. Children enjoy their lunch of fresh pasta, tuna, cheese and fruit. Their fresh fruit juice drinks are readily available to them. This ensures that their nutritional needs are met very well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Space within the home is used well for the benefit of the children. The spacious living room area ensures that children play safely and can choose their toys independently. Children sit up at the kitchen table for meals, sit comfortably on the sofas for quiet times and the floor area is cleared when the children are ready for group games. Children's art work is displayed well, so that they can see it. Varied equipment and child size furniture is easily accessible to the children. They choose to dress up with a very good range of dressing up clothes, pick games that interest them or play happily with the sturdy small world toys. Areas within the home are safe for the children. For example, by appropriate use of child safety equipment, close supervision by the childminder and written policies which underpin practice. The children are safe when they are out and about, as the childminder obtains parental consent for transport and uses a double buggy for the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

younger children. Appropriate information and procedures are in place regarding child protection and the childminder has carried out basic training. A copy of her useful child protection policy is given to parents. This ensures that children's welfare is protected

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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 appropriately.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enter the childminders house happily and enthusiastically. Even though some of the children have recently commenced their placement with the childminder, they are very settled and relate to her very well. She is highly skilled in enabling children to settle into her provision because of the natural way she approaches them. There is lots of warm, natural interaction and her enthusiasm inspires them. Therefore, they are excited, highly motivated and very animated when they engage in play and they have lots of fun. Children eagerly play with the toys and enjoy drawing. They run excitedly to the table when lunch is ready. Children are given lots of very good opportunities throughout the session, to enhance their all round development exceptionally well. They make their choices regarding what they want to do. They are lively and thoroughly enjoy their role play, when they dress up as pirates or as a 'bat girl'. They engage

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enthusiastically in child initiated play as well as planned games provided by the childminder, which follow their interests. For example, quiet times when they choose to watch part of a preferred film and planned physical games, such as dancing and catching the butterflies with nets from the elephants trunk, which is a favourite game. Children are able to use a range of movements successfully during their dancing games. They can move slow or fast, depending on the music played. They also use a very good range of natural and found materials during their play. For example, they thoroughly enjoy sitting in the 'rocket' or the 'motorbike' that they made from the large cardboard boxes. Or they make collage pictures from leaves and twigs that they have collected. Their learning is enhanced exceptionally well during their activities. For example, they count backwards correctly, ready for the 'rocket' to blast off and they

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are learning to recognise numbers on their advent calendar very well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met very well by the childminder as she demonstrates genuine care and concern for them. She has very good relationships with the children and they approach her confidently. Children's individual choices, likes and dislikes are taken into account. For example, she encourages a child to smell and taste the tuna to see if they like it, before they are given it for lunch. Children enjoy looking at the books that portray specific abilities and diversity. Children's behaviour is good. They are encouraged to adopt good manners and are reminded to say 'please' and 'thank you' where necessary. The childminder uses distraction and gentle reminders, clearly explaining any unwanted behaviour, so that any conflicts are quickly resolved.

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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 Therefore, the children know what's expected of them and they respond positively. They benefit from lots of positive praise and comments from the childminder which raises their self-esteem well. The childminder holds relevant conversations with parents at the end of the day and informs them of what their children have been doing. Contracts and written consent are in place where necessary and they receive a copy of her written policies. This ensures that children are cared for according to the parents wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The provision is generally well organised. Written policies such as child protection, complaints, lost child and emergencies, compliment the very good practice observed. Paperwork is fully completed, up to date and very well organised as she is a member of the National Childminding Association. She has completed all required basic training including first aid. Although she has looked up information on the Birth to three matters framework, she did not hold any documentation. The correct adult-child ratio is maintained so that children receive sufficient attention from the childminder. Children follow a very good routine. For example, throughout the day they have good opportunities for quiet, social, physical and independent play. They go on regular walks and may collect leaves and twigs for their collage pictures or visit the shop to buy the fruit. Overall the setting meets the needs of the children

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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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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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): • ensure that parents agree to the procedure for obtaining emergency medical treatment and advice • obtain information 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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