Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY337429 Unique Reference Number 08 February 2007 Inspection date Shirley Peart 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 September 2006. She lives with her partner and children, twins aged 12 and one child aged four, in Killingworth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The home is situated close to the local school and a large hypermarket. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding which includes a downstairs bathroom. There is a fully enclosed patio and decking area for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years and two children aged five years, mainly on a part-time, varied basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are no pets apart from fish in a tank in the living room.

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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. The children's personal care needs are well met by the childminder. As the children are quite young, she encourages them to wash their hands before their snack, uses wet wipes for their hands and faces afterwards and uses tissues appropriately. Suitable documentation is in place regarding administration of medication, accident forms and a book are available and written emergency medical consent is in place. The childminder has not yet been able to complete her first aid training but this is planned for the near future.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy, nutritious diet. They enjoy sitting together at the child size table as they eat their wholesome cereal and milk or their mixed fresh fruit for snack. Children have plenty of drinks, as the childminder is aware of the importance of this. For example, after physical play they are offered drinks in appropriate cups and they are generally given a choice of milk, juice or water.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy dancing to the 'Wake Up' song. They love shaking and jiggling their arms, legs, fingers and toes and follow the instructions very well. The childminder adapts her home so that children have plenty of space. They particularly enjoy lying on the floor and jumping up to songs, such as the 'Dingle Dangle Scarecrow'. This ensures that children's need for fresh air and physical exercise are enhanced very well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Areas of the home are used effectively for the children. For example, the childminder provides a quiet, comfortable sitting area with small cushions and soft blanket, for children to look at books or to use programmes on the computer. The entrance hallway is very child orientated and promotes children's independence very well. For example, children know which peg is theirs and are able to hang their coats up by themselves, they use sticky pictures for registration to indicate that they are present in the setting. All facilities are available on the ground floor, so children do not generally us the upstairs rooms.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have easy access to a good range of toys and equipment which are safe, clean, age-appropriate and diverse. For example, children have a go at completing jigsaws that contain pictures of children in wheelchairs or on crutches and they play happily with various ethnic dolls.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has completed a written risk assessment. She has a clear emergency escape plan and has practised this with the children. The environment is safe and secure for the children and child safety equipment is used effectively, such as stair gates and sponge door protectors. Children are transported safely in double buggies and older children hold onto the buggy or wrist restraints are used if needed. Therefore, the provision is monitored effectively to promote children's safety and welfare very well.

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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 Appropriate information and a child protection policy is in place. The childminder has carried out basic training and is keen to do more. She understands her role and responsibility in child protection matters. This ensures that children's welfare is appropriately protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled in the environment. They leave their parents easily as they enter the home eagerly and approach the toys. Parents and children are greeted warmly by the childminder. Children have a wealth of good opportunities to learn through their play. They clearly enjoy dressing up and proudly pose for photographs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Relationships are very good and natural, warm interaction is apparent. The children choose a favourite book and sit on the childminder's knee to listen to the story. She extends their language development and knowledge very well. For example, she asks children questions and joins in with their conversations relating to their activity, such as colours, numbers and the noises that animals make. Children are highly animated and enjoy their play. They indicate what they want to do using statements or gestures. They love to play with the dolls as they dress them up, take them for walks and change the nappies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder initiates pretend play very well. For example, the children line up the small chairs and pretend they are going on a trip to the beach on the bus. They sing along, pretend they are travelling, put on imaginary sun cream and hats and eat their make believe sandwiches when they get there. Therefore, children achieve well and thoroughly enjoy what they do while in the childminder's care .

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder knows the children very well. She is aware of their favourite toys and books and what they like to do. She supports non-stereotypical play, for example boys love to play with the dolls and buggies and they know the routine, which gives them a good sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities. The home is suitable, for example, care and facilities are all available on the ground floor.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is managed in a very positive and consistent way by the childminder. She encourages them to share their toys, reminds them of what is right and wrong and offers clear explanations down at their level. Any conflicts are quickly resolved by the childminder's good intervention, children are therefore very confident, able to say 'sorry' and respond very well to her and each other. Their behaviour is generally good, for example children help to tidy up their toys when they are finished playing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has friendly relationships with the parents. They read her written policies and have completed feedback forms on her care, which are all highly positive. She generally passes

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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 on information verbally but often uses a two way written diary as well. Good information is also displayed for parents in the entrance hall, such as the Ofsted registration certificate and telephone number, menus, visitors signing in sheet and police checks. This ensures that parents are fully informed and that they work together well to meet the individual needs of the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is clearly enjoying her work and has become a popular choice for parents. She contacts appropriate people, such as an experienced childminder, if she needs any assistance with the business and practical side of childminding. She has developed a good routine that meets the children's all round development needs very well. For example, throughout the day they participate in child-led play, planned physical and quiet activities, snack time and singing.

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Organisation

The childminder is aware that she needs to complete a first aid course in the near future and has not yet been able to access any training on the 'Birth to three matters' framework or further child protection training. However, she is keen to access and gain further information, knowledge and training to develop her practice for the benefit of the children.

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Organisation

Documentation is available and meets requirements. The childminder is continuing to find ways of organising this so that it enhances her good practice further. Good written policies and procedures are in place and shared with parents and written parental consent is obtained where necessary. Therefore, these promote children’s health, safety and welfare very well.

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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 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 complaint 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 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): • continue to develop training and knowledge, particularly in first aid, the 'Birth to three matters' framework and child protection

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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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