Brown, Carolyn

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY331774 Inspection date 26 July 2006 Inspector Pauline Pinnegar

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 satisfactory. 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 February 2006. She lives with her seven year old daughter in a first floor flat in Yarm. All of the rooms are used for childminding purposes. There is a shared garden available to the front of the premises, a stream runs along the bottom. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under eight years. She also cares for one child over eight years and has very occasional care of one seven year old. The childminder walks/drives to local schools to take and collect children.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Yarm Childminding Group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a range of physical activities that contribute to their good health. There are regular opportunities for children to be outdoors. They take walks regularly within the local community. They also use large play equipment at the park where they enjoy playing football and playing with Frisbees. Children are able to rest and be active according to their individual needs. Children understand simple good health and hygiene practices because the childminder leads by example with her own effective procedures. She washes her own hands frequently and appropriately whilst providing children with explanations about why it is important. They are actively supported to wash their own hands after using the toilet and before eating. Children are suitably protected from infection because the childminder has a well-implemented, written sickness policy, which is shared effectively with and respected by parents. Accident and medication records

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Helping children to be healthy

are correctly completed and meet mandatory requirements, which further safeguard children's well-being. The childminder exchanges information with parents on a daily basis, so she keeps up-to-date with children's health and dietary needs. Arrangements for snacks, meals and drinks are negotiated carefully. The childminder provides balanced snacks, light lunches and tea. Children are offered yoghurt or fresh fruit. She aims to achieve a balance between allowing children freedom to express their own preferences, whilst encouraging them to make healthy choices. They are offered choices from fresh fruit juice, milk or water to drink.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the home, which is warm, welcoming and secure. The environment is well maintained and children are very comfortable and at ease with the childminder. They have familiar routines and quickly settle into chosen activities. The living room houses a wide selection of good quality toys and resources for floor and table top activities, which children can access independently. There is an appropriate range to meet the ages and stages of development of the children who attend. Children engage in activities, which are regularly changed to maintain interest and provide stimulation. Equipment is clean and in good condition. The childminder promotes children's awareness of risk and safety in daily routines. For example, they always keep within her sight when at the park and she encourages them to walk safely together. The children learn about the importance of staying close when on

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

outings. They talk about why they need to behave sensibly near busy roads.

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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 Children are safe with the childminder because she takes the necessary precautions to identify and minimize risks and provides appropriate adult support. For example, children are aware of the emergency evacuation procedure and practise it. The childminder also undertakes comprehensive daily risk assessments both indoors and on outings, ensuring children's safety. There are clear procedures in place, such as a lost or uncollected policy. Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding of her responsibilities within child protection procedures. Attendance at training has extended the childminder's knowledge, increasing her confidence in her own ability to protect children and keep them safe. She is confident about sharing her responsibilities with parents and the procedure for recording of existing injuries is

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children form good relationships with the childminder who listens to and values what they have to say. Resources are freely accessible and this enables children to select and take part in a suitable range of activities during their time with the childminder. Children's conversation skills are encouraged well because the childminder interacts effectively with them. The childminder's sensitive approach helps children to engage in imaginative role play ideas. They enjoy dressing up pretending to be firemen, builders, and using the doctors trolley. The childminder interacts skilfully with children to help them understand how to do things and build on what they know and can do. She uses appropriate methods to manage children and promote their welfare. Children have satisfactory opportunities to develop their creative skills as they use media, such as paint, collage and play dough. Younger children enjoy playing with

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

jigsaws and are confident to ask for assistance when needed. Children enjoy the local environment. They take part in interesting outings, such as trips to Wynyard Woodland Park, Whitehouse Farm, and Nature World.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed into the setting and participate fully in all activities because the childminder values and respects their individuality. The childminder promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice resulting in all children feeling valued and free from discrimination. However, they access a limited range of activities and resources to increase their awareness of diversity. The childminder has a good understanding of each child as an individual and uses this to plan and resource activities which all children find enjoyable and interesting. There are clear systems in place to support children with special needs. Children learn about the local community as they take part in outings to local parks and other places of local interest. The childminder uses positive strategies for managing behaviour. Children are encouraged to share and take turns. The childminder is a positive role model. This

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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 helps the children to generally behave well. House rules are displayed for older children's information. The childminder shares information each day with parents, so that children's needs are met. Children benefit from the positive partnership that the childminder has developed with their parents. Parent's views about their children's needs are sought before the child starts. Agreements about children's care are discussed fully. Parents are fully aware how to raise any concerns. Parents receive detailed information about the setting including written policies and procedures. Daily written diaries are provide on request.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder demonstrates a high regard for children's well-being. She organises her time effectively, so that all children receive a good level of her time and attention, as well as an appropriate balance of child-centred and adult-directed activities. She has arranged her rooms so that they are welcoming to young children and promote opportunities for them to make choices in their play. The childminder accesses a range of training and development opportunities, which contribute to her ability to update her practice. Mandatory documentation is all in good order and stored with a high regard for confidentiality. The childminder's certificate of registration is clearly displayed for parents. She has written and adopted a full range of user-friendly policies and procedures which she shares very effectively with all parents. They work well in practice to promote satisfactory outcomes for children and accurately reflect her

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Organisation

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

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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

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 quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. 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): • develop the range of resources and activities which reflect positive images of diversity • develop the complaints log in line with changes to regulations.

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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

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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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