Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY333102 Unique Reference Number 25 January 2007 Inspection date Elaine Marie McDonnell 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 was registered in July 2006. She lives in the Bishop Cuthbert area of Hartlepool with her husband and their daughter, who is aged four years. The premises are situated within driving distance of schools, parks, parent and toddler groups and the beach. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. There are currently three children on roll aged from eight months to five years, all are cared for on a part time basis. There are no children with learning difficulties or disabilities attending the setting. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding purposes plus the two back bedrooms and bathroom on the first floor. The second floor is not used. Children have access to an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family has a pet hamster which minded children can see but do not handle.

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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 stay healthy because the childminder follows appropriate hygiene procedures, such as when changing nappies and ensures that the home and play materials are kept clean. Children are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times throughout the daily routine and older children understand the importance of simple, good health and hygiene practices. Good written procedures are in place to protect children’s overall health and accident and medication books are available and are kept up to date and accurate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. They receive a varied range of healthy meals and snacks and drinking water is always readily available. Children have their individual dietary requirements well met as the childminder receives written information about individual needs and family preferences from parents. Older children are beginning to learn about healthy living during discussions with the childminder about why healthy foods and exercise are important.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to enjoy physical activity indoors. They participate in large physical play during regular visits to playgroup and when dancing indoors. Children rest and sleep according to their needs and individual routines and the childminder is well aware of individual sleeping patterns and preferences.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Some good steps have been taken to ensure that children are cared for in a safe environment. For example, the premises and rear garden are kept secure. Low-level glass in the kitchen is of safety standard, suitable smoke alarms, fire blanket and first aid boxes are available. However, there is a water container in the rear garden which poses a safety risk to children. A detailed emergency evacuation procedure is in place, however, this has not yet been practised. Children are kept safe when on outings with the use of wrist straps and appropriate buggies. Appropriate car seats are also available to promote children's safety when they travel in the childminder's vehicle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The environment is warm and welcoming for the children with a range of toys readily available for them in the lounge. The childminder ensures that resources remain safe and suitable for children's use with regular checking routines. There is also a good range of outdoor toys available in the rear garden for when the weather improves, such as a see saw, swing, large trampoline, bats and balls and large equipment is fixed into the ground to promote safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as the childminder understands her role in relation to child protection issues and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. She demonstrates a good understanding of the different areas of abuse and of possible signs. She has local contact numbers available plus a copy of 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 satisfactory. Children are involved in a suitable range of activities and outings that cover all areas of development. For example, they attend 'read and rhyme' sessions at the library on a regular basis and attend playgroup, four mornings a week. During the inspection older children enjoy painting, role play, dressing up and dancing. Younger children enjoy being in the baby walker and playing with activity toys. Photographs show that children also participate in baking, drawing and construction activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop confidence and self-esteem well when praised and encouraged by the childminder, for example, when naming different colours. Children show interest in what they do and enjoy the resources and activities available. Older children respond to challenge and concentrate well when painting. They have opportunities to be independent and use their initiative when deciding what to do and what to play with. Older children acquire new physical skills when learning actions to songs and putting actions together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have some opportunities to learn about wider society and begin to appreciate their own culture and the cultural traditions of others. For example, the childminder invites a parent to talk to minded children about Diwali. Resources are available which reflect wider society, such as dolls, dressing up clothes and a book. Children learn about their own cultural background when involved in craft activities relating to Christmas.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Equal opportunities is appropriately promoted as all children are included and involved, their individual needs are met. Although only girls are currently being cared for the childminder ensures that they have access to some traditional 'boys' toys, such as a train set and cars. A written equal opportunities policy is in place and is shared with parents. A written statement is available regarding the meeting of children's individual special needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy being with the childminder and enjoy the activities available, they are settled and happy and appear very at home. They make positive relationships with adults. Children are well behaved and the childminder demonstrates an appropriate understanding of how to manage behaviour and promotes an environment which encourages positive behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works well in partnership with parents. They are kept informed of their child's development and progress through regular discussions and through the use of a shared book in which both parents and the childminder record any comments, such as what children have eaten, if they have slept and any activities they have been involved in. Several consent forms from parents are available and parents receive good quality information about the provision in the form of policy and procedure documents.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder ensures that adults caring for children are suitable to do so as both she and her husband have been appropriately vetted. The childminder has a positive attitude towards personal training and development and has undertaken courses in first aid and home based childcare since registration. She is currently doing a diploma in home based childcare.

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Organisation

Observation and attendance records indicate that adult-to-child ratios are maintained. Registers are kept up to date and accurate. The childminder has high regard for the well-being of all children and they receive good adult support and attention. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

All documents and records required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available, well kept and up to date. There are also many good practice records available, such as policy and procedure documents, risk assessments and comprehensive information for parents. Public liability insurance is available and the registration certificate is clearly displayed for parents.

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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 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 that the water feature in the rear garden does not pose a hazard to children and practise the emergency escape plan.

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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 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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