Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY261085 Unique Reference Number 14 February 2007 Inspection date Sharon Greener 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 2003. She lives with her children aged 11 and 13 years in the Peterlee area of Durham. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom and one bedroom located on the first floor of the childminder's house are used for childminding, and there is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children under eight years. All of the children attend on a part-time basis and some children attend before and after school. The childminder uses her car to transport children. She attends local carer and toddler groups. The family has one pet dog. The childminder supports children with disabilities and learning difficulties.

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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 childminding areas are clean and hygiene standards are good. Appropriate nappy changing and disposal facilities are provided. The childminder shows a good understanding of health related policies and procedures. For example, those regarding the administration of medication, accidents and the care of a sick child. She holds a valid first aid certificate. This practice helps to positively promote children’s well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good enough understanding of the need to ensure that children are offered a healthy diet. Children are offered a selection of fresh fruit each day and suitable meals and drinks are provided throughout the day. The childminder has previous experience of caring for children with specific dietary needs. Relevant information is obtained from parents and recorded on children's personal files. This enables the childminder to work closely with parents to ensure that children's individual requirements are well met. Catering arrangements are flexible and the individual feeding and sleep routines of babies are maintained. Children are encouraged to adopt suitable personal hygiene practices according to their age and ability. For example, hand washing after visiting the toilet and before eating. All children are able to rest or be active according to their individual needs. This helps to promote and preserve

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for exercise and outdoor play. A satisfactory variety of resources and equipment is provided to support and enhance children's physical development. The childminder shows an appropriate understanding of each child's stage of development. The childminder acknowledges the importance of recognising and praising children's efforts and achievements to help to build their confidence and self-esteem. Children frequently visit the beach and nearby adventure play facilities and are regular visitors to the local children's farm as the childminder holds an annual membership. They also go on regular walks to the local park and play area so as to benefit from fresh air and exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of the policies and procedures to help her to preserve and promote children's safety. She understands the action to be taken regarding an accident or the evacuation of the premises. In general she uses ongoing visual risk assessment sufficiently well to reduce or remove risks within the childminding environment. However, shaving razors and cleaning fluids are inappropriately stored in the bathroom. This does not support safety procedures or help to keep children safe. Resources and equipment are clean and in good order and suitable safety equipment is provided. For example, a safety gate is fitted at the foot of the stairs and a fire blanket, socket covers and smoke detectors are in place. Children are very closely supervised by the childminder. This helps to safeguard children's welfare.

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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 The childminder shows sufficient awareness of the need to help children to develop an understanding of danger. She gives children simple reminders and explanations of the rules so as to help them to preserve their own well-being and that of others. For example, she talks to the children about road safety and not approaching strangers, according to their age and level of understanding. A brief written child protection statement is in place and is shared with parents. The childminder shows a satisfactory awareness of safeguarding children and has completed some training in this area. The recommended child protection literature is available for reference purposes. This helps protect children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder builds very close, very warm relationships with the children and they settle very well. Children's needs are well met as the childminder has a thorough awareness of their individual requirements and preferences, such as their favourite toy or activity, feeding and sleep routines. The childminder promotes children's developmental progress effectively. This is demonstrated, for example, in the way that she supports a young child who is learning to walk. One of the ways in which the childminder does this is by placing some of the child's favourite toys just out of their reach. This encourages the child to walk, whilst being effectively supported and readily praised by the childminder. This motivates the child to attempt a few steps in a safe and supportive environment whilst under the childminder's close supervision. The childminder makes appropriate use of questions to extend children's play and learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

She uses every day play situations and conversation to introduce, reinforce and extend concepts such as simple mathematics, language and literacy. All children are taken on regular outings and younger children attend the local carer and toddler groups several times each week. This enables children to become familiar with the local environment and to socialise with others.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder obtains pertinent information from parents and uses her own observations to enable her to provide a good variety of age appropriate activities and resources for the children in her care. The environment is welcoming to the children and offers them independent access to resources within the constraints of safety. In particular effective use is made of the conservatory giving children easy access to resources from which they are able choose and self select. This helps to promote and develop children's independence and decision making skills. The childminder acknowledges the importance of recognising and praising children's efforts and abilities. This helps to build children's confidence and promote positive self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder is well aware of and responsive to the individual needs of the children for whom she cares. Their needs are well met. The childminder has some previous experience of caring for children with disabilities and learning difficulties. She shows a good enough understanding of caring for children with such needs. Equal opportunity is suitably promoted and the childminder has a satisfactory awareness in this area. A scrap book containing pictures of people from different ethnic backgrounds and with varying disabilities has been put together by some of the older children. However, the small selection of resources provided to help

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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 promote equal opportunity does not address all aspects. This does not enable the childminder to raise children's awareness of diversity effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows a good enough understanding of suitable strategies for managing children's behaviour. These are used well and in accordance with children's ages and level of understanding. Children respond positively to the childminder and their behaviour is good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The majority of the information regarding the service provided and the policies and procedures used is shared verbally with parents. Some brief written policy statements are in place for example, the behaviour management, complaints and child protection procedures. The childminder acknowledges the value of building suitable relationships with parents and of providing regular feedback about their child's progress and the general events of the day. The required documentation is completed prior to their child being left in the childminder's care. Respective parents have access to their child's personal records. Parents are encouraged to keep the childminder informed of pertinent information which may impact upon the care of their child. This enables her to continue to meet children's individual needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall, the provision meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides. The required documentation, record keeping systems and policies and procedures are in place. For example, the required written consents are obtained from parents and suitable records relating to accidents, the administration of medication and children's attendance are in place. These are well presented and suitably maintained. The childminder shows a good enough awareness of policies and procedures which she uses well to support and inform her practice. The registration certificate is clearly displayed for the benefit of parents.

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Organisation

The childminder makes satisfactory use of the space available to accommodate a good range of resources and play experiences for the children in her care. She organises her time well so as to enable her to attend the local carer and toddler groups several times each week and to take children on regular outings to places of interest. This helps to raise children's awareness of the local environment and further supports and enhances their learning and development.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to put in place suitable safety equipment to help safeguard children's welfare.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A suitable selection of safety equipment is in place. This helps to reduce or minimise risks to the children and improve safety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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 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): • ensure that children have access to a suitable selection of resources and activities that address all aspects of diversity so as to help raise their awareness of such matters • ensure that the bathroom is safe for use by children at all times.

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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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