Miller, Maria

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY301374 Inspection date 16 May 2005 Inspector Julie Larner

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 February 2005. She lives in the Sunniside area of Gateshead with her husband and four children. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding. There is a living room, conservatory, kitchen and toilet on the ground floor. There is an enclosed garden to the front of the property for outdoor play. The childminder is currently registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently caring for three children on a 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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are gaining good control of their bodies. They are beginning to learn about the benefits of exercise by attendance at local groups, for example gym tots. Children are involved in good spontaneous activities that promote physical health, such as walks in their local community. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. They are learning the importance of good personal care. Older children use the toilet independently and wash their hands through the childminder's consistent practise in encouraging this. Children are well protected and their good health is promoted, by the implementation of effective and sensible practises, such as using disposable gloves to prepare food. Children enjoy a range of healthy snacks which are well presented and easily accessible, for example, bowls of chopped carrots on a child-sized table.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move safely and freely around the home. This is due to the childminder's ability to minimise risks and close supervision of children to keep them safe. The childminder provides explanations, which are appropriate to the children's ages and stage of development, as to why children cannot do things to help them to begin to learn about keeping themselves safe. Children select from a wide range of toys to play with independently. They access toys easily and constantly make decisions about what they want to play with, for example, they choose toys from a storage cupboard. The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare and has all of the required procedures and documents in place. She has a secure understanding of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy being involved in fun, stimulating activities that extend their learning. The childminder has created activities that help children learn; for example household objects have written labels on them to help children read simple words and begin to spell them. Children are beginning to learn about colours as the childminder uses interesting activities to help them, for example children look at colour cards and find items that are the same as the colour on the card. The childminder encourages

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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 children to explore everyday occurrences, for example they listen to rain on the conservatory roof and talk about the sound it makes. Children are forming good relationships with other children. Older children are happy to help and share with the younger children attending, and the childminder encourages this well. Children have good relationships with adults. Children approach the childminder confidently and express their needs freely. Children settle well and are growing in independence due to the well thought-out layout of the setting. They make decisions confidently about what they wish to play with.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder meets the children's individual needs well, for example children are toilet trained according to their needs. Children are beginning to learn about the wider world; discussions with the childminder and resources available enable children to gain an understanding of people with differences. Children have a wide variety of equipment to choose from, however there is not sufficient to provide a balanced range for children of different genders. Children behave well due to the childminder's understanding of behaviour. She clearly believes that if children are interested in what they do they behave well, and she provides interesting activities to keep them stimulated. Children are beginning to share and take turns with encouragement. The childminder works well with parents to ensure that children's needs are met. She gains good quality information from parents to meet children's individual needs and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

produces books for parents with photographs showing what activities children have done.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a wide range of home-based activities and outings due to the childminder's good routine. They have opportunities to be involved in structured activities and attend groups in the local community. Home-based activities are flexible and keep children interested in their play. The children feel at home and at ease in the well-organised environment; this means they are confident to initiate their own play. The childminder successfully uses written policies and procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. The childminder shows a commitment to enhancing her practise through attendance

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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 at regular courses. This allows her to reflect on and improve her practise, which in turn benefits the children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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): • provide a balanced range of equipment for children of different genders.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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