Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY282945 Unique Reference Number 03 May 2006 Inspection date Jasmin Myles-Wilson 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 has been registered since 2004 and lives with her three children aged 2, 9 and 11 years. They live in a semi-detached house close to the town centre of Blyth, Northumberland. Local amenities and various schools are within a close proximity to the premises. The whole ground floor and first floor bathroom is used for childminding. There is an enclosed back garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She walks to take and collect children from the local school. There are two children on roll, one child aged under 2 years and one child aged under 8 years. The family do not have any pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She attends local toddler groups on a weekly 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 satisfactory. Children are suitably protected and their health is promoted by appropriate routines and practices, such as children wash their hands after the using the toilet or before eating. This helps children to understand that they contribute towards keeping themselves healthy. Appropriate strategies are in place to keep the home suitably maintained, however, the risks of minimising disease is jeopardised as children gain no understanding of the need to wash/wipe their hands, before eating food. Children receive appropriate care when they are ill or injured and adequate procedures are in place, such as appropriate help is sought and sufficient accidents and medication records are kept.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy their food, which is healthy and nutritious and they are becoming independent in feeding themselves. They benefit from the childminder's suitable knowledge of when drinks are required, for example, when the weather is warm children are given more fluids. The childminder provides healthy options of drinks, such as fresh fruit juice, milk or water from which the children choose what to have.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have sufficient opportunity to rest or exercise according to their needs, through the childminder ensuring that the routine and environment is suitably organised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. There are effective procedures in place to ensure accidents to children are kept to a minimum by ensuring that children can access all areas, both inside and outside the home, safely. The childminder ensures that all equipment is well maintained and used appropriately and commits herself to supervising the children at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a well kept and safe environment in which they can freely move around, with independence. They safely select from a varied range of activities that are easily accessible. All resources are well maintained and checked, therefore, the childminder is able to ensure they are safe for children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children develop their understanding of safety issues through regular conversations, with the childminder. The childminder has a very 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's all-round development is fostered well because the childminder provides a wide range of activities, which includes outings that are age appropriate and interesting to the children. Positive and fun relationships are fostered through the childminder having a relaxed

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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 friendly manner and being involved in children's play. For example, the childminder becomes totally engaged in children's activities and fully commits her time and energies to being with and assisting them when necessary. Therefore, children are confident, happy and settled in the childminder’s care and they thoroughly enjoy their play and being with her.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Good communication skills are used with the children which enables them to develop and make good progress in their thinking and language. For example, the childminder asks the children 'Why do we need to put the blanket on baby when we take her out for a walk?' The childminder uses techniques that give young children opportunity to copy simple words, such as 'all done'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The space and resources/equipment is organised in a way that helps children take initiative and develop increasing independence. Children enjoy and independently select activities, such as children choose a soft textured spiky, bouncing ball and laugh and kick their legs as they throw and chase it across the room. They receive praise and encouragement for their accomplishments. For example, when children play well they are told 'Well done' which builds their self-esteem and encourages them to play well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are treated as individuals and have good access to activities and resources. The childminder has a good understanding, a positive attitude and actively promotes equal opportunities in her service. For example, children are not treated the same but as individuals, yet receive the same amount of concern for their need. They also have a good range of resources that display positive images, which helps them develop a good awareness of the wider world and their community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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 reinforcing with children the idea of sharing resources with each other by demonstration. The childminder uses effective and good behaviour management strategies, such as focusing on positive behaviour and being consistent. 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, smiles and encouragement. For example, when children play well together they are applauded and encouraged. Children hearing this feel good about themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good relationships with parents and children benefit from this. The childminder is friendly with parents but is professional about what she does, such as keeping required information on children and has written contracts with parents. The childminder welcomes parents into her home and information and concerns are shared with them about their children, on a daily basis. The childminder adheres to parents wishes and follows them to best of her ability, so that children's individual needs are effectively met.

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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. Children benefit from being in a suitably organised environment so that they feel settled and move independently and safely around the space. The childminder has experience to care for children and she ensures they receive appropriate supervision, as she is aware of their safety and well-being.

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Organisation

The childminder understands that she needs all relevant documentation in place which gives protection to the children and herself. However, she does not keep a record or personal details of person collecting children from school on her behalf. Documentation is kept confidential, is easily accessible to the childminder and produced for inspection. The childminder has good awareness of her responsibilities, such as informing Ofsted of any significant changes or events.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a recommendation was made regarding keeping a written record of medication administered to children, signed by the parent and dated.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder now keeps a dated record of all medication administered to children and obtains parents signature.

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Complaints since the last inspection

A childcare inspector visited the childminder on 12/08/2005 to investigate concerns raised in June 2005, regarding National Standard 1, suitable person. Four actions were raised under National Standards 6 and 14. The provider made satisfactory responses to the actions, therefore, the provider continues to remain suitable for registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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): • improve hygiene procedures already in place

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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 • obtain parental consent, for someone else other than yourself, to collect children from school.

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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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