Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY268875 Unique Reference Number 22 August 2006 Inspection date Andrea, Jane Lockyer 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 18 months and five years. They live in a semi detached house Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Local amenities and public transport systems are within walking distance. Children are able to access all areas of the premises. There is a safe and enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family have a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently caring for three children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder has a recognised childcare qualification to NVQ level 3. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support and training opportunities from the local authority.

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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 well planned activities, which contribute to their good health. Each day there are outdoor and indoor activities which help them develop increasing control of their bodies and enjoy being active. For example they sing and dance, use swings, slides, the trampet and climbing frame in the garden, as well as playing ball games and using sit and ride toys. Daily trips out to local shops, parks and places of interest improve children's physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well cared for in a warm and welcoming home, where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care, throughout their daily routine. The consistent adult support and guidance helps children gain a good understanding of hygiene, and a desire to become increasingly independent in their personal care, for example, as they help themselves to tissues and wipes, and older children independently visit the toilet, wash and dry their hands using their own towels. Older children who stay overnight have good daily routines for washing and cleaning their teeth. Good records and highly comprehensive policies and procedures, which are effectively implemented, protect children from illness and infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing a good understanding of the benefits of a healthy diet. They take part in activities such as, preparing snacks, helping to buy fresh foods from the local shops and are involved in planning healthy menus. Children are able to make choices from the well balanced meals available and have access to fruit and drinks throughout the day. In depth discussions with parents and comprehensive records, ensure that children are provided with a healthy nutritious diet, which takes account of their individual dietary needs and parental wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe home where most risks are identified and minimised. However, cleaning materials in the toilet and glasses in the kitchen are accessible to children. In general children are able to move around freely, independently and safely. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe both in and out of the home. She effectively achieves a good balance between freedom and setting safe limits. This allows children to learn a sense of danger and knowledge about how to protect themselves from harm, for example, as they cross roads and use public transport, take part in fire drills, help to tidy up toys, learn to use outdoor play equipment and play safely on the beach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder has a good working knowledge of child protection issues and procedures. This means that children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. Comprehensive written procedures shared with parents ensures that they are fully aware of the childminders responsibility regarding the protection of children, in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board's procedures.

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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 good. Children settle well at the childminder's home. They are confident and happy. They achieve well because the childminder has a clear understanding of their developmental stages. She plans imaginative and stimulating activities with the children, which are purposeful and developmentally appropriate such as, making models of turtles after a visit to the aquarium. All children access a broad range of experiences, that promote and enhance their individual development and learning skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They relate very well to each other and socialise with other children through visits to local amenities. They enjoy a wide variety of activities which contribute to their imaginative, physical, creative, mathematical and language skills such as, baking, role play, construction, painting, model making and listening to stories. Close and caring relationships increase children's sense of trust and help them to develop a strong sense of self.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a good range of activities and resources that promote a positive view of the world. This increases children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others, for example, as they access a good range of play materials that positively reflect diversity such as, books, puzzles and role play equipment. They learn about their local community as they visit places of interest such as, the coast, historical monuments, farms, aquarium, nature parks and local shops.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has realistic expectations of children's behaviour. She implements a range of good strategies to promote positive behaviour, that help children understand right from wrong. Children respond positively to meaningful praise and encouragement, which contributes to their social skills, confidence and self esteem, for example, as they share toys, help to tidy up and help one another. They show care and concern for one another and behave very well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from good relationships between the childminder and their parents. Good verbal and written communication ensures that children's individual needs are met. A good information package for parents ensures that they are kept well informed about all aspects of the childminding practice and the care, welfare and progress of their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The premises are effectively organised, space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. They are very confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning, and are very settled. Children have good daily opportunities for rest, play, meals and going out, which are organised around children's individual needs and their daily routine.

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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 The good range of policies, procedures and documentation are implemented effectively to promote the care, welfare and learning of children, and underpin the good quality care. The childminder regularly updates policies and procedures in line with new guidance and legislation.

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Organisation

All policies, procedures and records are shared with parents which contributes to continuity in the children's care, and ensures that their individual needs are met.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to; ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice; improve fire safety precautions by practising the emergency evacuation drill with the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has met the recommendations from the previous inspection. All children are able to access a good range of resources that increase their awareness of diversity. Regular fire drills carried out with all the children increasing their understanding and knowledge of safety issues.

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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 children do not have access to cleaning materials and low level glasses.

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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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