Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY338676 Unique Reference Number 17 January 2007 Inspection date Andrea, Jane Lockyer 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 August 2006. She lives with husband and four children aged two, six, eight and 10 years. They live in a detached farm house adjacent to a working farm in County Durham. Local amenities and public transport systems are accessible with transport. The whole of the ground floor area is used for childminding purposes, with the exception of the farm office. Children do not access the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family have a pet sheep, a dog and two cats. The childminder is currently caring for four children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support and training opportunities from the local Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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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 sufficient range of activities which contribute to their good health. Their individual needs are met well with regards to rest and they have daily opportunities to develop their physical skills, both in and out of the home. They enjoy playing in the childminder's garden with equipment, such as the swing, seesaw, climbing frame and trampoline, and join in with games, such as football and catching balls. Indoor activities, such as disco dancing and using sit and ride toys also help to improve children's physical skills. Walks around the farm and trips to the local playgroup help children enjoy the outdoors and be active.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well cared for in a warm and welcoming home where they are beginning to learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care throughout their daily routine. The appropriate adult support and guidance helps children gain an understanding of hygiene and a desire to become independent in their personal care, for example, as they learn to wash and dry their own hands before meals and after handling animals. The good hygiene practices followed by the childminder ensure that children are protected from illness and infection. Discussions with parents and detailed records ensure that children's individual health needs are met; however, there is no written parental consent in place to seek emergency medical treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to develop an awareness of the benefits of a healthy diet. They are able to make choices from a selection of fruit and help themselves to their own cups of juice throughout the day. They engage in conversations with the childminder about why fruit and healthy meals are good for you as they have their snacks and whilst they are involved in role play activities, such as cooking pretend food. All children's individual dietary needs are well met through good partnerships with parents to discuss and record any allergies or special dietary requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well cared for in a safe home in which the risks are identified and minimised. This enables them to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder helps children to gain an awareness of safety, both indoors and outdoors, by talking and explaining how to use large outdoor play equipment, how to cross roads safely and why they need to wear seat belts in the car, and encouraging them to help to tidy away toys so as not to fall over them. Children are also learning how to be safe around animals and the farm environment as they investigate their surroundings. The childminder achieves an appropriate balance between freedom and setting safe limits. This allows children to learn a sense of danger and knowledge about how to protect themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a good range of quality toys and equipment which meet safety standards. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues

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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 to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted; however, she does not have a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board's guidelines, or the government publication.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a friendly, relaxed, fun environment for children, which means they settle well and grow in confidence. They make steady progress because the childminder has a clear understanding of their needs and how to help them achieve. Children enjoy a good range of experiences that promote and enhance their individual development and learning skills, such as role play with dolls, dressing up as firefighters, painting, sticking, drawing, constructing train tracks, using computers and listening to stories.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relate well to each other and socialise with other children through visits to local amenities. All children spend their time purposefully and are able to make independent choices from the good range of resources available. Close and caring relationships increase children's sense of trust and help them to become more self-assured.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are beginning to develop a positive attitude towards others and are gaining an understanding about the wider world. They are able to access some resources that show positive images of race, gender and culture; however, these are limited, and there are no resources that reflect positive images of people with disabilities. Children have good opportunities to learn about their own culture and local community as they celebrate familiar festivals, such as Christmas, and visit places of interest, such as local parks and toddler groups, and explore the surrounding farmland.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has realistic expectations of children's behaviour. She implements a range of appropriate strategies to promote positive behaviour which help children to gain an understanding of right from wrong. Children respond well to the childminder's praise and encouragement; for example, they willingly help to tidy up, share toys and take turns. They behave very well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationships between the childminder and parents. Good written and verbal communication ensures that children's individual needs are met, and that parents are kept well informed of most aspects of the childminding practice and the care, welfare and progress of their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The well-organised environment and good daily routines ensure that children are happy and well settled. Good opportunities are made for free play, social interaction, resting, eating and going out. This means that children are confident to initiate and extend their own play and

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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 learning. The required ratios are maintained and time is organised well, which results in children receiving appropriate support and their needs being met.

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Organisation

The childminder's good knowledge, skills and positive attitude towards extended training enhances the care of children. Records, policies and procedures are in place and most are implemented well.

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Organisation

All policies, procedures and records are shared with parents, which contributes to continuity in the children's care, and ensures that their individual needs are met. 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 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): • obtain written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment • obtain a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board's guidelines and the government booklet 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused' • ensure children have access to a range of resources that increase their awareness of diversity and the wider world.

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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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