Halliday, Barbara Suzanne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY303252 Inspection date 16 March 2006 Inspector Jasmin Myles-Wilson

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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 has been registered since 2005 and lives with her husband and two children aged 4 and 5 years. They live in a semi-detached house in Cramlington, Northumberland. The whole ground floor, the upstairs bathroom and two bedrooms are used for childminding. There is an enclosed back garden available for outdoor play. The local school and amenities are within a short walking distance away from the premises. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She walks to take and collect children from the local first school. There are four

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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 children on roll, two children aged under 5 years and two children aged under 8 years. The family have a cat to which the minded children have limited access. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Health and hygiene issues are suitably promoted and children learn to develop independent skills, for example, taking care of their personal needs. Children practise personal hygiene reasonably well, therefore the risk of spreading diseases is minimised. For example, children know their own towel and use it after washing their hands. The childminder has sufficient knowledge and adequate procedures in place to ensure sick and injured children receive appropriate care, such as, parents are contacted, children are monitored and appropriate first aid is applied. However, the health of children is compromised as the childminder does not hold parental consent to seek emergency treatment or medical advice for them. Children receive nutritious meals and snacks. Healthy eating is promoted reasonably well through discussions with children and the provision of meals. Children have fair

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Helping children to be healthy

knowledge of healthy foods, for example, they can identify and choose a healthy snack, such as, cheese and crackers. They have access to an appropriate amount of drinks, catering for their individual needs, due to the childminder's sufficient knowledge of when drinks are required. Children have sufficient opportunities to access fresh air and enjoy physical activities, such as, going on walks to collect leaves and twigs. They also have suitable opportunities to rest when they wish, according to their needs. For example, children who are unwell and don't usually rest or sleep are able to do so, while being supervised, and are left to wake up on their own accord.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder ensures that her home is welcoming to children and they treat it as their own home. For example, children take off their outdoor coats, hang them up, take off their outdoor shoes and put them on the shoe rack, then quickly engage in activities. The home is well-kept and the space is effectively organised so playing children are kept safe. Children have access to a broad range of activities and resources. There is a good amount of storage for resources which cannot be set out, due to space. Activities which are accessible to children are effectively stored around the edge of the room, giving children the space and opportunity to choose what they play with. Resources are well maintained and checked on a weekly basis to ensure safety and hygiene for children.

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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 Risks to children are minimised through the childminder's good level of understanding of potential dangers to children and positive steps taken to ensure their safety. Children develop their understanding of safety issues through regular conversations, with the childminder, regarding keeping themselves safe on the roads and away from strangers. Children's safety is high priority, therefore good procedures are in place, for example, passwords are used when persons who are unknown to the childminder are collecting children. The childminder has good understanding of child protection issues and is confident in her knowledge of what to do and who to contact in the event of suspected abuse, therefore children are safeguarded and their welfare is protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy what they do, such as, being creative and using their imagination, because they are motivated through regular opportunities to plan and select activities. They develop in confidence and become more independent as the childminder encourages them to do things for themselves, such as, choosing what they play with or cutting up their own fruit, with a good level of supervision so they do not put themselves in danger. Positive and fun filled relationships are fostered through the childminder being relaxed, friendly and involved in the children's play. For example, the childminder sits on the floor to engage in play, and then the children lie on the floor in front of her and she begins to tickle them; as she does this, they roll around laughing and ask for more. Children benefit from this and bonds of trust and confidence are built up between them and the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop and make good progress in their thinking and language because the childminder uses good communication skills, such as, listening and using open ended questions. For example, the childminder asks children what they had been making the week before, gives them the beginning of the word, 'butter,' and children complete the word, with enthusiasm, 'butterflies.' The childminder is fully aware that young children need more attention and physical contact so this is taken into consideration on a daily basis, therefore, children receive good levels of individual attention and assistance when needed. Their individual needs are given high priority and are met well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are treated fairly and have access to whatever is available. The childminder is knowledgeable and has good understanding regarding equal opportunities, for example, every individual is treated fairly according to their need. She actively promotes her understanding through having a positive attitude and providing a good range of resources that display positive images. Children develop a develop good awareness of the wider world and their community.

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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 Children learn to respect and be polite to each other in various ways, such as, the childminder being a good role model, using consistency and gentle reinforcement. For example, constantly reminding the children to say please and thank you when asking for or receiving things from each other. The childminder uses effective and good behaviour management strategies, such as, setting clear boundaries that children understand and explanation. Children benefit from this and learn what behaviour is acceptable. Children develop in self-esteem and confidence as they are given good opportunities to be independent, receive praise, claps, smiles etc. For example, when they succeed in putting one activity away before getting another one out, the childminder claps and tells them how good they are and children feel good

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Helping children make a positive contribution

about themselves. Good relationships are fostered with parents. Children benefit from the good partnership between their parents and childminder. The childminder welcomes parents into her home and daily information is shared with parents about their children, and any concerns are immediately shared. High priority is given to parents' wishes and the childminder follows them to best of her ability.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children move confidently and freely around areas. The childminder gives concentrated thought to ensure that the space is well organised for the children to maximise play while being safe. Children enjoy the childminder fully committing her time and energies to being with them and assisting as necessary. They also benefit well from receiving more individual attention as numbers of minded children are kept to a minimum whenever possible. The childminder fully understands that she needs all relevant documentation in place which gives protection to the children and herself. Documentation is organised well and produced promptly at inspection, however, the daily register is not up to date. Confidential information is kept secure but is easily accessible to the childminder. The childminder has good awareness of her responsibilities, such as, informing Ofsted of any significant changes or events.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • obtain written parental consent to seek emergency treatment or medical advice • improve your procedures for recording children's arrival and departure times

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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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