Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY336719 Unique Reference Number 02 February 2007 Inspection date Ann Coggin Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since July 2006. She lives with her husband and two children who are aged nine and 12 years. The premises are situated in the Racecourse Estate area of Redcar within walking distance of a local primary school. The ground floor and the upstairs bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family have two dogs that minded children have supervised access to.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and there are currently three children on roll aged from 13 months to three years. The childminder attends local groups on a regular basis and takes and collects children from her local nursery. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from infection by the childminder's clear health and hygiene practices. The importance of good hygiene is raised through everyday routines. Children know they must wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet and stroking the dogs. Systems are in place for addressing children's health needs. Parents are informed that sick children cannot be cared for and written procedures are in place for the administering of medication and the recording of accidents.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from being offered healthy and nutritious snacks. The childminder works closely with parents to provide food and drink which meets individual dietary requirements. Children enjoy fresh fruit daily, such as apples, oranges and raisins and they are encouraged to try different foods to promote their healthy growth and development. Drinks of water are frequently offered in familiar beakers and cups.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of activities daily which contributes to their good health. They enjoy daily walks to school and to the local park where they can use the large play equipment, run around and have fun. They also attend a soft play session each week and the childminder encourages the children to develop their abilities by promoting independence to try out new skills.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder organises space and resources well to reduce hazards and actively encourages independence. There are procedures in place for minimising the risk of accidental injury to children. The children are cared for in a safe, warm child friendly environment where a high priority is placed on safety. For example, a stair gate is in place to prevent the younger children from accessing the stairs and door cushions are in place on all the doors. Children enjoy playing with a broad range of good quality well maintained toys and resources which meet safety standards. They are well organised in child height containers to encourage independent access. The childminder carefully supervises the children's choice of toys to ensure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are beginning to understand and learn about keeping safe both indoors and outdoors, for example, not running from room to room and holding hands when walking and using the green man to cross the road. There are written policies and parental consents in place to ensure children's safety at all times.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities with regard to child protection. She has attended training and would record any concerns she had. However, she does not have a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children's Board guidance.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children enjoy their time with the childminder. She plans an exiting range of interesting activities which take into account individual interests. They are happy and settled in the childminders care and routines have been established to promote children's sense of security. Children are interested and motivated in activities, for example, making rainbow snakes and listening and joining in with the story sack. Children's all round development is promoted through the interest the childminder shows in what children say and do.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good understanding of child development which means children's emotional, social, physical and intellectual capabilities are promoted. Activities are well planned but flexible allowing children to make choices. The childminder offers consistent support, praise and encouragement resulting in children being independent to initiate their own play and learning. Children's art work is displayed helping to promote children's self-esteem. Positive and warm relationships have been established and the childminder is interested in the children and actively becomes involved in their play. For example, playing with the farm animals and singing.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's early language skills are developing effectively as the childminder talks to the children, repeating key words and phrases.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder works closely with parents to meet children's individual needs. For example, home routines are fully discussed and parents are encouraged to take time and settle their children in, helping children feel a sense of belonging. She talks with parents and shares her written policies and procedures with them, although her complaints procedure does not have Ofsted's details. Parents receive daily written information about their child's day and activities and this enables the childminder to meet each child's individual needs and contributes towards the continuity of care.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures all children are welcomed into her home, feel valued and are able to access and participate fully in all activities. They are respected as individuals and have their individual needs met through following home routines. Children's awareness of their local community is raised well by regular outings to the park, shops, beach and local groups. The childminder provides resources which reflect diversity, such as posters, books and small world figures and uses the toy library to enhance the range of the resources available.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to share the toys and resources and to play together. They are given lots of praise and encouragement to help them feel good about themselves. She is consistent in her approach to children and they understand that 'no means no'. She acts as a positive role model, treating children with respect, talking to them calmly and asking them to help, for example, tidying up the playroom.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and are relaxed and at ease with the childminder. Space and resources have been used to create a child friendly well organised environment enabling children to be confident and secure in themselves and with the childminder. Indoor space has been laid out to maximise play opportunities for children allowing them to initiate their own play and learning.

p.5

Organisation

Written policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the care and welfare of the children. Information is shared daily with parents to keep them well informed about her service and their child's activities. All parental consents are in place and documentation is stored securely ensuring confidentiality is maintained.

p.5

Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 the procedure for parents to follow in the event of a complaint includes the contact details for Ofsted • obtain a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children's Board guidance.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.6