Young, Joanne

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY295459 Inspection date 22 July 2005 Inspector Cathryn Parry

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 12 in the residential area of Jarrow in South Tyneside. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five all day and two children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has two dogs.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's overall well-being is enhanced well with regular walks and outdoor play. A very good balance of opportunities to be active and rest, positively contributes to their development. Children explore, test and improve physical control effectively, for instance when using the large trampoline. Very good relationships with parents, effective procedures and relevant training ensures children are cared for well should they become ill, reducing the risk of cross infection. Children are learning good personal hygiene such as washing hands before meals, which is consistently supported. They have a growing awareness of healthy food options, enjoying fresh fruit at snack time and regularly accessing drinks. All individual dietary needs are met completely through the provision of nutritious meals, reflecting specific information given by parents.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are sufficiently protected through appropriate security systems for entry to the childminder's home. Individual protection is ensured through good procedures for adults collecting children from the childminder's home, including personal passwords. Children have a growing awareness of their own safety, for instance when using the Green Cross Code on outings. The childminder encourages positive routines, for example when getting in and out of the car. This fosters good habits and encourages children to take responsibility for their own actions. Adequate space and suitable equipment enables children to participate in all activities well. They are able to explore satisfactorily in a clean, well maintained environment. However, a first aid box is not provided, which in the case of an accident, could have a detrimental effect on children's well-being. The childminder

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

has satisfactory knowledge of signs and symptoms with regard to child protection issues, but is unsure of procedures to follow.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy their time in the childminder's home. They make satisfactory progress as the childminder ensures she has basic knowledge of their stage of development when they start to attend. Children eagerly play with the resources available, however, these are limited. This restricts children's choice and participation in a variety of experiences. An appropriate balance of child centred and adult led activities encourages children's overall development. Children confidently ask questions that are consistently responded to. This increases

p.3

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 their confidence and develops knowledge and understanding, for instance when discussing the purpose of a ceiling fan in the conservatory. Children show a pride in their creative work sharing individual pictures with their parents. They respond to challenge well, for example when using outdoor equipment.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children settle very well in the friendly childminding environment. They feel a strong sense of belonging due to an effective induction procedure, enhanced by sharing photographs from home. Written information from parents ensures children's individual needs are met well. Children play comfortably together, learning to share and take turns through the childminder's sensitive support. Very good behaviour management strategies ensure children know right from wrong. This is shown as children display good manners and behave well. The childminder's positive disposition regarding equal opportunities promotes children's understanding well. However, this is not complemented with appropriate resources, which restricts awareness of differences. Effective partnership with parents encourages children to feel secure, which contributes to their total well-being.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's play opportunities are adequately enhanced through appropriate organisation of space and time. Easy access to the garden ensures all children benefit from the outdoor space. Low level storage of available resources encourages some independence. Recent training by the childminder has a positive impact on the quality of care provided. Current documentation is completed at induction. However, the childminder is not fully familiar with its implementation, for instance the procedure for medication and accident forms. This has a negative impact on children's safety. Confidentiality is understood well. However, systems to ensure this are not completely enforced, compromising children's privacy. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.4

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 There are no complaints to report.

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

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): • familiarise self with all documentation • increase resources to meet all children's needs • provide resources with regard to equal opportunities • provide first aid box • ensure confidentiality of documentation is maintained at all times • familiarise self with child protection procedure

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5