Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY330524 Unique Reference Number 19 February 2007 Inspection date Cathryn Parry 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 was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and daughter aged three years in the residential area of South Shields in Tyne and Wear. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house and the daughter's bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed yard 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. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends several local parent and toddler groups. The family has two cats.

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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 can participate appropriately in activities as the premises and equipment are clean. The childminder thoroughly cleans the house twice a week, as well as vacuuming every day. The toys are washed when needed, depending if they have been played with or not. Children are learning suitable personal hygiene practices through consistent routines and positive role modelling. They are encouraged to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. The childminder’s good relationships with parents, appropriate procedures and relevant training ensures children are suitably cared for should they become ill. This reduces the risk of cross-infection. However, parents do not countersign to acknowledge administration of medicines. This has a negative impact on children's well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children access regular opportunities for physical play, including visits to the Mr Twister activity centre. They explore, test and develop physical control as they use the sit and ride toys at the local parent and toddler group. Children are active or restful through choice. Toddlers are able to sleep in-line with their individual needs and parents' wishes. Consequently, their overall health is enhanced. The childminder provides freshly prepared meals and snacks, including vegetables, pasta and fruit. This encourages children to enjoy healthy and nutritious foods. They have regular access to drinking water, which promotes good lifestyle habits. The majority of documentation with regard to health, including specific dietary needs, is in place and up to date. These positively safeguard children’s well-being. However, written consent for emergency medical treatment has not been gained from parents. This has a negative impact on children's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises are made welcoming and friendly to children and parents. Large windows in both the kitchen and sitting room enable children to benefit from natural light whilst playing indoors. Children are safeguarded appropriately as the childminder’s home is secure at all times. This is supplemented with suitable procedures for adults collecting children. Those who go on outings are kept safe as the childminder is vigilant. She encourages children to use the Green Cross Code and has age-appropriate restraints to safeguard younger children. They are able to explore safely in the childminder's home, using well maintained resources. These are bought from reputable suppliers and are suitable for the ages and stages of development of the children attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Sufficient equipment is available, including car seats, buggies and a travel cot. Consequently, children's individual needs are met. The childminder has taken action to ensure that risks within her home have been minimised, including the provision of safety gates, drawer catches and electrical socket covers. Children can therefore play safely. The childminder has attended child protection training and shows a sound understanding of associated issues. This results in children being well protected. The majority of the documentation with regard to safeguarding

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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 children is in place. Written parental consent has not been gained to transport their children in a vehicle. This has a negative impact on meeting parents' wishes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are happy to participate in the variety of activities provided. These include tactile books, musical electronic toys and stacking games. Sufficient support is given which nurtures children’s independence. The childminder helps children if needed but encourages them to play together and to work things out for themselves. Their confidence and self-esteem is raised through praise and encouragement. The childminder plans activities and experiences to incorporate regular trips into the community. These include visits to the park, beach and farm. Consequently, they enjoy a breadth of opportunities and make progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's communication skills are appropriately encouraged. This results in good interaction between themselves and the childminder. They enjoy using their imagination as they play with the Little Mermaid figures, cars and dressing up clothes. Children’s mathematical thinking is encouraged when they complete number jigsaws and weigh ingredients to bake with. They have a growing understanding of the natural world through a variety of opportunities, such as growing raspberries. Children participate in creative activities, including hand and feet printing. Consequently their self-expression is promoted whilst having fun.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled in the childminding environment. A short induction period, including visits with parents, enables children to settle into the new environment. This is tailored to suit the needs of the individual child and their family. The childminder's suitable approach to equal opportunities contributes to children’s positive attitudes to the wider community. This is complemented with trips to the local library to celebrate various festivals, such as Chinese New Year. There are some resources, including dolls and books, reflecting different cultures. These have a positive impact on children attitudes to the world they live in. However, there are limited resources reflecting positive images of people with disabilities. This has a negative effect on raising children's awareness and understanding of difference. Appropriate behaviour management ensures children understand right from wrong. The childminder discusses how

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Helping children make a positive contribution

she would approach a variety of situations, including the use of distraction, explanation and a short time out to think.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder does not have experience of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities. However, she shows a positive attitude to attending relevant training and liaising with other professionals to provide an inclusive environment. She is keen to meet the needs of all those in her care and takes this into account when accepting children. Good partnership with parents ensures individual needs are met appropriately, which promotes stability. An initial written portfolio ensures parents are informed of the childminding service provided. They are

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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 then spoken to daily to keep them notified of activities their children have participated in. This promotes continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children access a variety of play opportunities through the suitable organisation of space, time and resources. The use of the kitchen enables children to take part in creative activities, including painting and play dough. The sitting room and bedroom provide carpeted areas for floor play, which ensures children of all ages and abilities are catered for. The weekly routine incorporates time to visit several parent and toddler groups. This promotes children's social skills. The childminder rotates the boxes of toys to keep children interested. Low-level storage of resources gives children free choice and encourages their independence.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended a pre-registration course and has been suitably vetted to ensure children are safeguarded. She is continuing to attend related training, including food hygiene, first aid and child protection. This has a positive impact on the quality of care provided. The childminder is aware of her current registration restrictions and adheres to them. This has a positive effect on children's welfare. All legally required documentation is in place and stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality is maintained.

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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. 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):

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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 • ensure parents countersign to acknowledge administration of medicines • gain written consent for emergency medical treatment • gain written consent from parents for their child to be transported in a vehicle • further develop equal opportunities resources.

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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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