Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY332330 Unique Reference Number 13 February 2007 Inspection date Eileen Rochford 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 has been registered since July 2006. She lives with her partner and three children aged 10, eight and two years. They live in a village outside Durham, close to schools and local amenities. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding. There is an enclosed play area to the front and rear of the house. She attends the local toddler groups and takes children to the park. The family has a rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time. She is currently caring for five children on a full and 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 are cared for in a clean, well organised and comfortable home. The childminder ensures that children learn about the importance of good hygiene practices, such as washing their hands before and after snacks and after outdoor play. The childminder also ensures that she washes her hands after changing nappies and before feeding the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of meals, which are provided by the childminder, including snacks, lunches and teas. Meals cater for individual children’s needs. These are served to children in a social setting, where children develop a range of social skills. Drinks are freely available from a range of water milk and juice, with older children accessing these independently.

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Helping children to be healthy

Throughout the day, children are able to experience a range of outdoor activities. This provides them with the opportunity to develop a wide range of physical skills and children competently move and negotiate space.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Good safety precautions have been taken to minimise accidents. For example, smoke alarms are in place and regularly tested, and electrical socket covers have been fitted. The childminder carries out regular checks on the house to ensure the environment is safe for children. The risk of accidents outside the home is reduced, because the childminder is conscientious about ensuring children are safe whilst on outings. For example, young children are safely harnessed in their buggy and the childminder ensures children are supervised at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Space within the childminder's home is very well organised, with areas for various types of activities. Children move freely between these areas. All toys and equipment are well maintained. She has developed children’s understanding of how to care for toys through fun, everyday activities. For example, children are encouraged to tidy activities away if areas are becoming cluttered and at the end of the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully safeguarded. The childminder has an understanding of the different types and possible signs of abuse. The childminder knows the procedure to be followed if she has a concern about a child, including contact details of social services and the police.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a clear routine and structure to her day. Children respond well to this, secure in their routine of dinner follows play time etc. Through the wide range of activities she provides, children develop a wide breadth of skills. They choose their activity and freely move to the area of the home for this activity. For example, children choose a book and move to the lounge to read it on the bean bags. They seek the support of the childminder, who has the

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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 skills and experience to understand when children will benefit from adult support and when they need to explore and experiment independently. Children listen and respond to conversation whilst completing puzzles. Children take pride in their achievements and the achievements of others, with their work attractively displayed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relate well to the childminder because she joins in with their play and is positive in her interaction. The children enjoy the close contact with the childminder and respond positively to her encouragement. Children are happy and secure as a result of this positive approach and support.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a positive attitude towards equality issues and is aware of the importance of children having multicultural resources, however, access to these is currently limited. The childminder has not had experience of caring for a child with learning difficulties or disabilities, but she is willing to work with parents to provide appropriate care in accordance with the child's specific needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses strategies, such as distraction and diversion, to manage children's behaviour, which works very well. Children behave well because of the childminder's realistic expectations, which are appropriate to their age and stage of development. She is positive and consistent in approach and her good use of praise and encouragement helps build children's self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Successful relationships have been developed with parents to ensure that the childminder has a good, working knowledge and understanding of the needs of individual children. Daily verbal information is shared effectively and the childminder ensures parents are aware of their child's care throughout the day, including what they have eaten and what activities they have done. The range of records in place supports this partnership working, which has a positive impact on the care the children receive. However, there is currently no complaints log in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a well organised environment in which they feel at home and at ease, which helps them gain confidence and independence. The childminder is aware of the children's individual needs and provides for these. They are cared for according to their needs because the childminder uses the information she holds effectively to promote their well-being.

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Organisation

The childminder has her registration certificate and first aid certificate on display and keeps to the conditions of registration to provide good supervision of the children.

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Organisation

All documentation is in place, is well organised and is stored to ensure accessibility and confidentially. This ensures parents are aware of the details of the childminding practice.

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Organisation

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

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any 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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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): • develop range of toys and equipment to reflect the cultural diversity of society • implement a complaints log in line with the National Standards.

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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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