Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY331492 Unique Reference Number 09 November 2006 Inspection date Julie Larner 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 April 2006. She lives with her child, aged 11 in a residential area near to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder attends local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local library. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder shows good dedication to ensuring that children learn about and benefit from a varied, nutritious healthy diet. Children enjoy fun well-planned activities that help them to learn about 'good' and 'bad' foods. They talk about foods that they can eat sometimes and

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 foods that they can eat lots of, such as broccoli and tomatoes. They make play dough models of these foods, photograph them and hang them in the kitchen. The childminder uses these activities to help children to remember about foods that they cannot eat all of the time, such as biscuits, which works very well. Children enjoy a wide range of snacks that contribute to a healthy diet. Children confidently choose fruit from a bowl in the living room, this is then washed and cut. Children enjoy home made meals containing 'five a day' and a healthy eating policy helps to ensure children are learning about a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

Personal care is encouraged in a consistent and excellent manner. The childminder helps children to learn about hygienic ways to wash their hands from current guidance. Children wash their hands with the childminder so that they can copy how to do this well. Children's teeth are regularly brushed after meals, which further contributes to their good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Maintaining a safe and healthy environment to provide good care for children is a high priority for the childminder as she has consistent routines for checking her own family's health to safeguard minded children. For example, she seeks professional medical guidance when there has been illness in her own family. She keep comprehensive records about the treatments that her pets have received and ensures that children are well cared for by keeping up to date with current practise, for example, on preparing and storing baby feeds.

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Helping children to be healthy

Physical exercise is promoted well in ingenious and stimulating ways. The childminder is extremely aware of the children's individual development, because of this she plans for the next steps in their learning well in fun everyday situations, such as balancing on walls as they walk to the shops.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move safely and freely around the premises due to the childminders competent supervision, consistent practise and safety equipment which minimises risks. The childminder gives her responsibility of keeping children safe high priority as she helps them to learn the green cross code and basic road safety. The children practise this on the quiet road in-front of the house so they can stop, look and listen to develop these skills in a safe environment. Fire safety is promoted in an appropriate and sensitive manner to help children learn about the dangers. Written risk assessments are done twice yearly to ensure children's safety is maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children confidently choose from a fair range of appropriate equipment that interest them. Easily accessible low level boxes enable children to make choices about what they want to do. Children persist in activities for long periods and enjoy trying to make pictures with stacking blocks. Children think the equipment, particularly the play dough is 'really good'. Space is used creatively by the childminder. She uses her bath on occasion to enable children to play with water and measuring toys. She values children's work, as pictures they have created, are displayed on the 'gallery' in the kitchen that children are keen to show to visitors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded. The childminder shows very good knowledge about signs and symptoms of abuse and has a written policy in place. She is committed to further training which further benefits the care of the 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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children enjoy fabulous secure relationships with the childminder. They learn about counting numbers and letters in everyday situations, for example, as they count the stairs on the way to the toilet. The childminder observes and records children's learning to ensure that she can help their development. She has an extremely secure understanding of where children are in their learning and she develops fun and interesting activities that children enjoy and that contribute exceptionally well to their development. For example, she helps children develop their pincer grip by playing with small pegs to hang things out.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children join in conversations happily and are increasingly accurate at re-calling different events. They are immensely engrossed in their favourite stories as they shout out different lines and help to read. Children enjoy activities to help them learn and develop, due to the childminders superb understanding and organisation of activities she ensures that these contribute to learning in maths, English and basic science.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are very happy in their environment. They play with play dough for long periods and are joyfully involved in playing with tambourines as they listen to music and dance. They easily sing songs from memory and enjoy imaginary play as they make cakes and candles from play dough. Spontaneous outings contribute to exciting experiences for children, for example, a child recalls with great delight how he put on his wellingtons and splashed in the puddles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are successfully met by the childminder. She works very effectively in partnership with parents to ensure that parents' wishes are respected. For example, she works together with parents to wean children off soothers and talk about areas of the child's development that will be focused on. Partnerships with parents are very good. Parents are content and at ease with the childminder as they have breakfast and talk while they drop off their children. A two way diary ensures that good communication is maintained and parents are provided with a copy of written policies from the childminder contributing to them being well informed about the care of their children. Parents are extremely complimentary about the care their children receive.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good. They relish helping to do small tasks, such as helping the childminder to clear away toys. The childminder shows an extremely positive approach to encourage children to try to master new skills in an inventive way that works well. She manages behaviour very successfully with a mixture of distraction and encouragement. Children take a pride in their efforts as they clap when they complete a puzzle and tell visitors about stickers they received for tidying up.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have good opportunities to become involved in the local community as they participate in trips to the Baltic centre and parent and toddler groups. Children are beginning to learn about diversity through reading books at home and at the library about different types of people. Visits to the toy library ensure that the resources children access adequately reflect

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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 differences and a policy regarding intimate care ensures that all children's needs are met. Equal opportunities are very effectively promoted by the childminder because of this, all children feel comfortable to play with all of the toys.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Space is used effectively to ensure that the children's needs are met very successfully. The childminder converts space used for eating to play space and organises herself effectively to ensure that children can make decisions and choices well. She clears away the table and chairs to make space for the play dough mat. Children are happy and very relaxed in their environment. They approach the childminder with great confidence, if they need support, for example, to go to the toilet. Children are supported very well by the childminder, she plays with play dough on the floor, reads books at the children's request and helps their learning to develop further by asking them questions. Children are secure, safe and content in the childminder's care.

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Organisation

Records are well-maintained and kept in a secure and confidential manner. Written policies and procedures, that cover several different aspects shows that the childminder has reflected on her practise and ensures that she is consistent in her care for children. Good awareness of her responsibilities of ensuring anyone in the household has completed the necessary checks and is suitable to be around children contributes further to children's safety.

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Organisation

The childminder develops her service by completing training and workshops that further benefit the care of the children and add to her overall knowledge. A complaints policy is in place; however, this needs to reflect current guidance.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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.

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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): • ensure that adequate knowledge of how to record complaints is shown

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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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