http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/
Inspection date 02 November 2007
THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE
On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:
The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.
WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?
The childminder was registered in June 2007. He lives in Blyth, Northumberland, with his wife, who is also a registered childminder and their 4 year old daughter.
The areas that continue to be used for childminding are the whole of the ground floor and bathroom on the first floor. An enclosed garden area is available for outdoor play. There are 3 children on roll, 2 of whom attend on a part-time basis and 1 who attends full-time.
The family have three cats and goldfish.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION
Helping children to be healthy
The provision is satisfactory. Nutritious snacks and homemade meals help children to benefit from a healthy diet. Independence is promoted as children have access to juice and water and are offered fruit during the sessions. Children happily sit and enjoy conversations at mealtimes as these are a social occasion. Sweetcorn, fish fingers and potatoes allow children to enjoy healthy food options. The childminder gains comprehensive information form parents about foods that the children enjoy, because of this menus are planned to take account of children’s likes and dislikes.
Children’s personal care is mostly promoted well as the childminder sensitively reminds them to wash their hands. However, on occasion, children are not consistently encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times, for example, before eating food.
Children benefit from regular visits to local parks, playing football and attending soft play sessions, all of which provide opportunities for them to be physically active. Children enjoy playing outdoors all year round as the childminder understand the importance of regular physical play and opportunities to be out in the fresh air, for example, by spending short amounts of time in the back garden in the winter months.
Children’s welfares is safeguarded through consistent documentation, for example, accident records and records of individual dietary needs, however accident records do not always clearly show who the information was passed on to when children were collected.
Children are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment by adult who have the necessary experience and training to ensure they remain safe, for example, by maintaining up to date first aid certificates. Children are protected from the risk of cross infection through the childminders understanding of their written exclusions policy and what to do when children are ill, for example, by contacting the parents to collect their children.
Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe
The provision is good. Music playing in the background, bright colourful posters with colours and numbers and displays of the children’s art work helps to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Children take great pride in showing visitors the pictures they have created which are displayed, for example, cut and stick pictures of pumpkins at Halloween. This helps to contribute to raising the children’s self esteem by the childminder valuing their art work.
The necessary equipment to minimise the risks to children are in place, for example, carbon monoxide detectors and stair gates, because of this children are cared for in a safe environment. The childminder further contributes to children’s overall safety by using sound procedures on outings. Children wear luminous reflectors on the darker nights when they are collected from school. Children learn about safety when they use the stairs as the childminder reminds them appropriately about how they need to be careful, which contributes to them learning how to keep themselves safe. The childminder ensures that children are safe at all times, by blocking off the kitchen when the cooker is used, which contributes to lessening the risks for children.
Equipment, such as low level shelving and plastic boxes, containing toys, lay out on the floor, helps children to make choices easily about what they want to do from a wide selection of toys and equipment they enjoy. Children move freely and safely around the environment.
Children’s welfare is safeguarded due to the childminder’s thorough awareness of child protection issues, for example, signs and symptoms. Children benefit from being cared for by an adult who updates their knowledge and understanding of child protection by attending regular training and showing clear understanding about who to inform if they have concerns.
Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do
The provision is good. Children enjoy creative activities, such as decorating Halloween pictures with orange coloured paper and collecting leaves outdoors to take home and paint for pictures. Children enjoy opportunities to create their own play and participate in organised planned activities, which capture their interests. Children happily share time to look at books with other children attending or help to find each others favourite toy, showing they have good, positive relationships.
Children approach the childminder with confidence for reassurance or support, showing they enjoy good, positive relationships together. Children are greeted enthusiastically by the childminder when they go and see what is being prepared for lunch, showing that children are valued in the setting. They enjoy stories that interest them, especially when they are reading these to the childminder who sits on the floor and listens.
Low level coat hooks, for children to hang their coats and bags on when returning from school; helps encourage independence and take care of their own belongings. Children are happy, relaxed and settled in an environment where they are listened to by the childminder, for example, when they request that the music is put on for them to listen to.
Helping children make a positive contribution
The provision is good. Daily play opportunities help children to learn about respect for others and diversity as children play with resources reflecting different cultures, such as dolls. All of the equipment and toys is available for all of the children attending, showing the childminder’s commitment to equal opportunities. Children’s individual needs are valued by the childminder through discussions with parents to gain a sound understanding of how to meet their needs.
Children learn how to share, as they patiently wait for their turn to choose a favourite book to read. They ask another child whether they would like a drink at lunch time, showing that they are learning about care and concern for others. The childminder constantly re-enforces good behaviour with the children appropriately and provides a very good role model for children to learn to respect others, consequently, children behave well. Children are motivated to do well and reach the next steps in their development, for example, when they are learning to use the toilet. The childminder claps and gives children stickers to recognise their achievements, which works very well. Children learn about boundaries and rules in the setting, through consistent praise and lots of smiles for good behaviour.
Parents are aware of the childminder’s responsibilities and their own through the use of comprehensive policies and procedures, for example, the childminder shares the written exclusions policy with parents ensuring they know what to do if their child is sick. Good strategies such as, telephone conversations, text messages and daily discussions ensures that parents are well informed about the care of their children. Children’s needs are successfully met due to the childminder’s thorough understanding of the importance of effectively communicating with parents; because of this the childminder knows the children very well.
Organisation
The organisation is satisfactory. Children are comfortable and relaxed in the setting. Children enjoy their time with the childminder as they read books and play with dolls together and receive good support in their daily play. A variety of play opportunities such as, free play sessions, structured activities and local outings are enjoyed by the children on a regular basis.
Comprehensive details are maintained on children’s records, however, assistants details are not fully recorded, for example, individual details, such as telephone numbers, are missing and the understanding of informing Ofsted of assistants that are employed are limited. This means that a regulation has not been fully met. Paperwork and records are maintained confidentially, up to date and well organised, which in turn, benefits the care of the children.
The childminder attends regular training, to further develop his practice, for example, by completing first aid and child protection courses. Children are cared for in a consistent manner due to the childminder producing written policies and procedures about their service.
Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.
Improvements since the last inspection
Not applicable
Complaints since the last inspection
Since April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.
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.
THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE
On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:
The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.
