Childminder in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY311356 Inspection date 10 January 2006 Inspector Hilary, Jane Purvis

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in Gosforth, Newcastle. Most of the ground floor of the premises is used for childminding including a playroom and there is a fully enclosed rear garden area. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under 8 years and at present cares for four children aged under 3 years all on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local child friendly facilities and takes minded children to local toddler groups. The family have one large dog.

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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 awareness of good hygiene practices is raised by the childminder following good routines and by discussing with the children the need to have clean hands at certain times. Children are encouraged and prompted to wash hands after toileting and before meals. Effective procedures put in place by the childminder, result in children being protected from illness and the spread of infection reduced, including children having separate drinking cups. Children's dietary needs are met through the provision of meals and snacks that are healthy and balanced. A varied menu is provided which incorporates each child's dietary needs, preferences and parental wishes. Meals are eaten at a table with younger children being provided with suitable seating, including a booster seat and a high chair. Mealtimes are promoted as a positive experience with social interaction and table manners being encouraged.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is promoted through regular use of local child orientated facilities such as a toddler group and the local park. Children enjoy playing with the good selection of toys and equipment that support their physical development, including fine motor skills and hand eye coordination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for in a warm and welcoming environment where the risks to children have been identified and reduced. This allows children to move around freely and safely. Risk assessments have been carried out on the premises and precautions have been put in place including socket covers, smoke detectors and a fire blanket. Children's development is well supported through the provision of a wide and varied selection of toys and equipment. The safety and suitability of toys and equipment is ensured through the childminder implementing an effective policy of regular checking after each use and regular cleaning. Children's safety is promoted through the childminder having a good understanding of child safety within the home environment, which is regularly assessed and on outings. The risk to children in the home is effectively reduced through appropriate precautions and safe practises being in place. On outings, children learn about road

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safety including holding onto the buggy and stopping and listening at suitable places to cross. Children are well protected through the childminder having a good understanding of the child protection procedure. She has recently attended child protection training and has all required up to date documentation including relevant contact numbers.

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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 satisfactory. Children develop well with the childminder's support. Good relationships have been developed between the childminder and the minded children with constant warm, physical and verbal interaction. Regular meaningful praise encourages children to gain in confidence and increase their independence, freely selecting toys from the wide range available. With this support the children learn to socialise well and interact positively. The wide range of stimulating and appropriate activities that are organised for the children, provides them with excellent opportunities to develop and have fun; these include construction, role play, craft and creative play. The programme of activities reflects each child's interests and stage of development. Children's communication skills are supported through the childminder's use of stimulating language, prompting children to think about what they are seeing and experiencing. Each child is given

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

time and encouragement to express themselves throughout their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's self esteem is developed and encouraged through the childminder actively valuing each child and the contribution they make. Children are listened to and given time to express themselves indicating their preferences. The children's individual needs are well met through the childminder spending time getting to know each child as an individual. For example, discussing with them their preferences and dislikes to enable an interesting programme of activities to be organised that reflects each child's interests and stage of development. Children are given time and encouragement to be involved in the activities and their contribution valued. Children learn about the community that they live in through regular visits to child friendly facilities, including the local toddler group and park. Children are given the opportunity to learn about other cultures through information included in books and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

appropriate use of children's television. Children are given clear indications from the childminder what behaviour is expected of them and why some behaviour is unacceptable. Good use is made of praise and encouragement which enables children to behave well. Appropriate methods are used to manage children's behaviour including discussion and distraction. Parents are kept fully aware of their children's behaviour through the verbal update given at the end of each day. All required documentation is in place including an up to date register and written contracts. Most documents and records are well organised and up to date. The record of complaints does not include the provision for any complaints to be recorded. All information, both verbal and written is confidentially maintained.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder keeps her own knowledge up to date by attending regular training. The knowledge gained is used to enhance the care given to children. The space available within the home is well organised, presenting a suitable environment for a variety of activities to be successfully provided. Children are encouraged to feel at ease and confident to move around the premises freely and safely. The childminder organises her time well to allow an interesting programme of activities to be effectively balanced, with meeting children's physical needs; including providing regular opportunities for children to have uninterrupted sleep and quiet times. The written policies and procedures that are in place are effectively used to promote the care and welfare of the children and shared with the parents to keep them informed. All information, both written and verbal, is maintained and retained in an

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Organisation

organised and confidential manner. The overall provision meets the needs of the children 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 • increase the supply of toys and equipment that positively reflect different cultures, religions, ethnicity and disability • further develop the complaints procedure to include a record of all complaints received.

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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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