Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY316684 Unique Reference Number 28 November 2006 Inspection date Sharon Greener 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 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 in 2005. She lives with her husband and three children aged two, nine and four months in the Southwick area of Sunderland. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed yard for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under eight. Both children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder transports children in her car. The family has one pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with disabilities.

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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. Hygiene standards within the home are good and the childminding areas are well maintained and clean. This helps to ensure the children's comfort. Children are encouraged to adopt suitable personal hygiene practices to safeguard their well-being. For example children hand wash after using the toilet and before eating, though individual hand drying facilities are not provided for the children. This does not help to minimise the risk of cross infection. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate. Relevant policies and procedures regarding health issues are shared with the parents for example, those relating to the administration of medication and a sick child. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of such matters and implements them well to help protect children's good health. For example, parents are asked to keep children at home until they are fully recovered from an infectious illness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Catering arrangements are flexible to meet the wishes of the parents and children's specific dietary requirements and preferences. The childminder has a good enough understanding of the need to promote a healthy eating programme and has experience of catering for children with specific dietary needs. Children are offered an appropriate selection of meals which include pasta, fresh fruit, potato and other fresh vegetables. The childminder encourages children to try different foods and they have access to suitable drinks throughout the day. The childminder acknowledges the benefit of a varied and nutritious diet to help support children's growth and development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for exercise and outdoor play. They have access to a suitable selection of physical play equipment and outdoor play experiences which enable them to develop their physical skills. The childminder shows a good enough understanding of each child's stage of development. This enables her to support and challenge children appropriately and allows children to test their physical capabilities within a safe and supportive environment. Children are able to sleep and rest according to their individual needs. This helps promote their well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a satisfactory awareness of safety policies and procedures to help to reduce risks and safeguard children’s welfare. For example, she understands the need to supervise children according to their age or ability and the action to be taken should she need to evacuate the premises. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection. This helps her to protect children from harm. In general she takes suitable steps to maintain a safe environment for the children. A visual risk assessment of the childminding areas is carried out each day prior to children's arrival. Appropriate safety equipment is provided, such as safety gates, socket covers, smoke detectors and a fire guard. The front door is secured and an additional thumb-turn lock is fitted above child height for extra security. However, the bathroom is not safe for children to use independently as a shaving razor and cleaning materials are stored

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

with in view and possible reach of children. This does not support safety within the home.

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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 Furniture, resources and equipment are in good order. The childminder explains safety rules simply to the children to help them to develop an understanding of danger and the need to preserve their personal safety. For example, she reminds children not to climb on the arm of the sofa as they may fall and hurt themselves. Children are reminded to stay close to the childminder during outings and she talks to older children about road safety and not approaching strangers. The children show an emerging awareness of the ground rules and respond positively to the childminder. This helps to promote children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well and are at ease within the childminding environment. They build close relationships with the childminder and respond positively to her. The childminder is well aware of children's individual needs for example, their favourite toy or activity, their likes and dislikes and responds accordingly to those needs. The children are well supported and sufficiently challenged by the childminder. She makes good use of questions to support and extend children's thinking and learning. For example, the childminder takes an active part in children's play and encourages them to name colours, shapes, letters and numbers during play activities. Children's confidence is developing well and the childminder praises children readily. For example, when a child was able to recognise and name a character in a book. Children are able choose their own toys and activities within the constraints of safety. This helps to foster and enhance

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children have easy access to a satisfactory variety of resources and play experiences. For example, children enjoy playing with small world resources such as a garage and cars, building with construction sets, drawing, mark making and looking at books. Children are taken on outings to the park, local shops and the beach. This helps them to develop an awareness of their local environment and the natural world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of caring for children with disabilities and of equal opportunity. However, there are limited resources provided to help raise children's awareness of diversity. This does not enable the childminder to promote equality of opportunity effectively. The childminder is aware of and responsive to the individual needs of the children for whom she cares. She has a suitable understanding of appropriate behaviour management strategies, which she uses well. Children respond positively to her and their behaviour is good. Children's independence skills are developing well. This is shown in how they self-select their own toys and activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder builds suitable relationships with parents. They are told about the childminding policies, procedures and other general information. Some written information is shared with them for example, brief statements about the behaviour management policy and fees. The registration certificate is displayed for their benefit. The childminder keeps parents well informed of their child's progress and daily activities through regular verbal feedback. Respective parents

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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 have access to their child's personal records and are encouraged to keep the childminder up to date regarding any relevant information which may impact upon the care of their child. The childminder works alongside parents to ensure that children's needs are well met.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The majority of the required documentation is in place and in general is appropriately maintained. Suitable systems of recording information pertaining to accidents, incidents and the administration of medication are in place for use as and when necessary. However, the children's record of attendance indicates children's contracted hours of attendance each day rather than their actual hours of attendance. In general polices and procedures are used sufficiently well to promote the children's development and well-being. However, the childminder did not inform Ofsted in good time about a significant change in respect of household members. This is a breach of the regulatory requirements.

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Organisation

The childminder makes suitable use of the space available to accommodate a satisfactory selection of play activities and resources for the children. Children are able to move freely from room to room under the childminder's close supervision and are well at ease within the childminding environment. They are taken on outings and have regular opportunities for exercise and outdoor play.

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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 the time of registration, there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take action in order 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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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 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): • ensure that children have access to an age appropriate selection of resources and activities to help raise their awareness of all aspects of diversity • ensure that the bathroom is safe for use by children at all times • ensure that Ofsted is informed in good time of any significant changes or events.

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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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