Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY270793 Unique Reference Number 07 November 2006 Inspection date Julie, Anne Swan 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 their six children aged 16, 14, 11, eight, three and two years close to the centre of South Shields. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed yard for outside play. The childminder uses her car to take and collect children from local schools, She attends a number of local toddler groups and takes children to local parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding eight children, all of whom attend on a part-time 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 enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day there are physical activities to help them develop control of their bodies, for example, they attend soft play sessions where they can run and climb freely. Children try out new skills and develop confidence in their own abilities because the childminder makes good use of her childcare knowledge. Her good understanding of the differing abilities of the children, ensures that equipment and activities are suitable to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable environment, where they are beginning to develop an understanding of good hygiene and personal care. For example, they to learn to wipe their noses themselves and dispose of the tissue appropriately afterwards. Children make good progress towards independence as they are potty trained. The childminder supports the children very well by offering flexible routines, and by encouraging and valuing effort.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They make choices from a range of healthy snacks which include fresh fruit. The childminder has a sound understanding of what constitutes a healthy diet, and is successful in meeting children's dietary needs through consultation with parents

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe and well-maintained environment. The childminder safeguards children's welfare by having a good awareness of safety. An effective visual risk assessment is carried out on the premises, toys and activities each day to ensure potential risks are identified and minimised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Space and resources are organised to allow free space for the children to enjoy and access safely. Children benefit from an effective range of safety measures, for example, cupboard locks, socket covers and a range of fire safety equipment. However, whilst the childminder has an emergency evacuation plan this has not been practised with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about keeping themselves safe both in and out of the home. They learn about acceptable behaviour and the impact this has on their safety, for example, children know to hold hands or the buggy when out of the home and to stay together, always in sight of the childminder. They learn about the reasons to pick up after themselves to keep things safe for all

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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 very well at the childminder's house. They enter confidently and make themselves at home. They relate well to each other and socialise with the other children and on regular visits to local toddler groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become independent as they choose between a variety of good quality age appropriate toys, books and activities which are appealing. The childminder uses her sound knowledge in developing children's language and listening, to adapt activities, such as singing and storytelling to promote children's learning. The children are very keen to communicate with the childminder as they play games and listen to stories with her.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are challenged to use what they know and learn more, and make very good progress in all aspects of their development. This is because the childminder has an excellent understanding of how children learn and plans activities which are aimed at the individual ages and stages of development of each child. .

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident, independent and secure in their environment. The childminder values each child and ensures their individual physical and emotional needs are met fully.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to develop a sense of belonging as they use books and toys to identify familiar people. The childminder has a very good understanding of equal opportunities and uses her knowledge to ensure all children are included.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and are beginning to understand the consequences of unacceptable behaviour on others. The childminder has very good strategies in place for managing behaviour which are appropriate to the children's ages and stages of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder communicates with parents every day. They share information about children's activities and progress to ensure that any concerns are dealt with immediately. This contributes to the continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children make good progress in all areas of their development because the childminder has very good knowledge of childcare and development through extensive training. The childminder is very well organised. She makes the best use of her time, space and resources to create an orderly and stimulating environment for the children. The children are safe, settled, secure and confident within their environment.

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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 Documentation is up-to-date and mostly recorded well. It is shared regularly with parents to ensure that they are fully informed about their child's achievements and progress and this contributes to continuity in the children's care.

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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, recommendations relating to the availability of documentation were raised. The childminder now has all documents relating to child protection procedure, the National Standards and the complaints procedure for parents ensuring children's welfare is maintained.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action to meet the National Standards.

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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): • develop children's understanding of fire evacuation procedures • include details of any existing injuries in accident records.

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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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