Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY262294 Unique Reference Number 05 June 2006 Inspection date Julie, Anne Swan Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 2003. She lives with her partner in the Beacon Lough area of Gateshead. The whole ground floor and two of the bedrooms and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. She takes children on outings to local places of interest and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding one child who attends on a part-time basis.

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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 enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day there are physical activities to help them develop control of their bodies, for example, they enjoy visits to local parks and playing in the childminder's spacious garden. Children try out new skills and develop confidence in their own abilities because the childminder makes good use of the Birth to three matters framework. Her good understanding of the differing abilities of the children, ensures that equipment and activities are suitable to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable environment, where they develop an understanding of good hygiene and personal care. For example, they use the bathroom independently and remember to wash their hands afterwards. Children who become ill or have an accident whilst with the childminder are cared for appropriately. She has all of the necessary procedures in place for contacting parents and accessing emergency treatment. However, the documentation of medication is not always clear which compromises children's safety.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children make choices from a range of healthy snacks which include fruit and milk and are involved in the planning of menus and the preparation of meals. This encourages the children to develop an understanding of the benefits of a healthy diet and select healthy options.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has a high level of awareness of the risks to children's safety and has taken all reasonable steps to ensure the physical environment is safe and secure; children move safely around the home and are free from harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good quality furniture and equipment are readily available to the children within a very well resourced play room. The room is attractively decorated and very well organised with toys being stored in ordered colourful storage boxes. This makes the room particularly welcoming to children. The children are well acquainted with what is available and make independent choices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well cared for and make good progress in all aspects of their development. The childminder devotes her time to playing with the children. She gently guides their learning and follows their lead which enables them to make choices and become independent learners.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Playing so closely together sustains children's interest and motivation levels. As a result children develop good levels of concentration and become engrossed in activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a very clear knowledge of child development. She has a wealth of experience as a qualified nursery nurse and keeps up-to-date with current practices through training. She uses her experience and knowledge to positively underpin her care of children. Therefore, opportunities are provided enabling children to make good progress. Resources are frequently changed to constantly keep children interested and engaged. She provides a very good balance of adult led activities, such as singing and storytelling, whilst allowing children ample opportunity to initiate their own play and learn through exploration.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children form warm and trusting relationships with the childminder and develop a strong sense of belonging. The nurturing environment and the childminder's sensitive, caring nature helps children feel totally secure in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident, independent and secure in their environment because the childminder strives to ensure that their individual needs are met. Children are beginning to have an understanding of the wider community and respect for others through play with a good range of resources reflective of equal opportunities issues and the childminder's sound understanding of the subject.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and are beginning to understand the consequences of unacceptable behaviour on others. The childminder has very good strategies in place for managing behaviour which are appropriate to the children's ages and stages of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good. They share information about the children's activities and regularly review arrangements to ensure any concerns are dealt with immediately and effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are given very detailed information regarding their child's progress and daily activities, through regular verbal feedback. This contributes to the continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children make good progress in all areas of their development because the childminder has very good knowledge of childcare and development through experience and training. She is very well organised and makes the best use of her time, space and resources to create an orderly and stimulating environment for the children. The children are safe, settled, secure and confident within their environment.

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Organisation

Documentation is up-to-date and mostly recorded well. It is shared regularly with parents to ensure that they are fully informed about their child's achievements and progress and this contributes to continuity in the children's care.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Overall the provision meets the need of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations relating to safety and documentation were raised. The childminder now clearly records children's arrival and departure times and has sought the advice of the Fire Safety Officer. This ensures continuity of the children's safety and well-being.

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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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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 medication details are fully recorded.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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