Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY339268 Unique Reference Number 12 March 2007 Inspection date Elaine Steedman 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 became registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two sons aged one and three years at their home in Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years. She currently cares for three children aged under eight years and also cares for one child aged over eight years. Children have access to the ground floor dining room, kitchen, toilet and rear deck. The premises are within walking distance of bus and metro routes, toddler groups, playgroups, nurseries and schools, shops, parks and the library. Children take part in walks and outings locally to parks and the library, and metro and ferry trips further afield to the beach, the airport, parks in South Shields and museums and art galleries in Newcastle.

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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 good. The childminder's application of her clear, written health and hygiene policy effectively protects children's health. Her effective maintenance arrangements ensure the smoke free environment is clean and hygienic and she employs good strategies to prevent the spread of infection. For example, by ensuring parents understand that their children cannot be minded when ill, by observing incubation periods for infectious diseases, by using disposable gloves and providing children with individual face cloths and towels.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are effectively learning to follow good personal hygiene routines. For example, the childminder actively encourages them to wash their hands after using the toilet, before eating or handling food and after taking part in outdoor activities. She gives children clear explanations about the importance of developing good personal hygiene habits. As a result, children are developing a good understanding and can clearly explain about when they need to wash their hands. They enthusiastically demonstrate how they do this.

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Helping children to be healthy

Health records are comprehensive, well organised and well maintained, ensuring the childminder is well informed about and able to support children's individual health needs. Children's health is further protected by the childminder having the relevant first aid qualification and a well stocked first aid kit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a clear healthy eating policy and a good understanding of healthy diets for children. She takes into account children's individual needs and complies with parental wishes. She provides children with balanced, nutritious snacks and meals including a wide range of fresh vegetables and fruit daily. Children are actively encouraged to drink water. Children have some opportunities to learn about the benefits of a healthy diet through discussion with the childminder and cooking activities, however, this aspect is not as well developed as the provision of healthy meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is further promoted by having good opportunities to regularly exercise in the fresh air. Children play enthusiastically on the outdoor decking area which they can freely access at any time. A wide range of outdoor toys are easily accessible to encourage children's physical development and they participate in a range of outdoor activities, for example, daily walks and outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and comfortable home. The home is well organised for childcare and children can reach their play resources easily and move around safely. Regular, effective maintenance ensures the good quality toys and equipment remain safe for children's use.

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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's safety is well promoted through the childminder's effective supervision and security measures. She has good safety procedures in place to minimise hazards to children. The childminder uses safety equipment effectively, such as socket covers, cupboard locks, stair gates and finger guards. Through clear discussions with the childminder, children have good opportunities to learn about dangers and are effectively learning how to keep themselves safe. For example, the childminder gives children clear explanations about road safety. Children enthusiastically explain how to cross the road safely, how they take turns to press the crossing buttons and the meaning of the green man.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is well protected by the childminder's clear child protection policy, her good understanding of child protection issues and her recent attendance on a child protection course.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and excellent relationships with the children. She plans good routines to help children to feel confident and secure and presents them with a wide range of indoor and outdoor opportunities for play, enjoyment and learning. She matches play activities and toys well to children's learning and developmental needs and knows the children's favourite activities well. Children choose their play spontaneously and independently from easily accessible resources. For example, the children have fun with a tent made from a cloth thrown over the table, then move outside to play with trucks, diggers, buckets, spades and rakes in the well equipped sand tray and then back inside to use scissors and crayons to make tickets for their pretend aeroplane journey. Children benefit from the childminder enthusiastically joining in their activities. She answers their questions, extends

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their vocabulary through new experiences, asks them questions to extend their learning, and listens and talks to them about their interests. For example, the children very enthusiastically plant sunflower seeds together with the childminder. The childminder talks to the children about the colour and texture of the soil, the number of seeds and pots, the growth of the plant, the names of the tools and what they are used for. When the children change the daily calendar they talk together with the childminder about which day it is, what the weather is like, the seasons and which numerals are needed to make the date. The childminder praises the children enthusiastically when they demonstrate their own knowledge and make their own contributions to these activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A wide range of developmentally appropriate, good quality, stimulating toys and activities are available to the children. For example, a variety of good quality books, a variety of art and craft activities, puzzles, educational games, musical instruments, construction toys, role play toys and small world imaginative toys. Children enjoy quiet times with the childminder as they read stories together. They enthusiastically take part in hands-on, practical experiences like collage, making jelly, sand play and planting seeds. Children are encouraged to develop their social skills through playing with other children, sharing toys and taking turns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a good range of outdoor activities and regularly use a variety of outdoor play equipment on the decking. For example, a playhouse, tractors, push along walkers and cars. They go for daily walks and participate in a variety of outings, including trips on the metro and ferry and visits to parks, museums, libraries, the beach, art galleries and the airport.

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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 are well occupied, very happy in their play and have good opportunities to develop their imagination and practise their developing skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder welcomes all children and respects their differing needs. Children have access to all play resources and equipment and are encouraged in their choices. The childminder effectively uses very comprehensive child information forms to enable her to address each child's individual needs. Children have good opportunities to learn about their own community and the wider world through discussions with the childminder and having access to a wide variety of activities and resources. They take daily walks in their local community and use the local facilities. They visit museums and art galleries and the airport and Chinatown in Newcastle to experience different cultures and talk about travelling. They read books together about different cultures and use maps and globes to talk about different parts of the world and places where they have lived or visited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is relaxed, warm and very affectionate towards the children and the children respond likewise and behave very well. The childminder has a good behaviour management policy which she shares with parents. She uses developmentally appropriate strategies, such as positive praise and reward to successfully manage children's behaviour and help them to learn about reasonable behaviour boundaries. The childminder acts as a positive role model, treating the children respectfully and enthusiastically praising their efforts. For example, she tells the children that they are brilliant when they share with each other and patiently take turns during activities and children considerately remind the childminder if a friend has not yet had a turn. Children are very well settled, very happy and enjoy being with the childminder who enthusiastically joins in their activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good arrangements for promoting children's care and settling them in, such as children's introductory visits with their parents. She works very closely with parents, has very positive relationships with them and communicates with them regularly about their children and the service. For example, she provides parents with copies of her informative policies.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her childcare service well. She has completed the required training and children benefit from the childminder's commitment to regularly updating her knowledge and understanding of childcare. Children have easy access to the facilities and equipment they need and their needs are well supported by the childminder's effective organisation of space, resources and routines.

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Organisation

All the required records are held and are well organised, comprehensive, up to date and are shared with parents. The childminder regularly communicates with parents by giving them a

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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 detailed verbal report when they collect their children. Good security measures are observed to protect confidentiality.

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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 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 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): • improve further opportunities for children to learn about the benefits of a healthy diet.

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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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