Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY341195 Unique Reference Number 17 May 2007 Inspection date Jacqueline West 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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 four children aged 18, 16, 12 and five years in the residential area of South Shields in Tyne and Wear. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house, except for the study, is used for childminding; the bathroom is situated on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five all day and three children over five before and after school. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has marine fish.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable environment. They are learning suitable personal hygiene practices through consistent routines and positive role modelling. They are reminded to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. The childminder’s open relationship with parents ensures children are cared for appropriately when ill. This reduces the

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 risk of the spread of infection. The majority of consent forms and relevant documentation with regard to health, including specific dietary needs, are in place and up to date. These positively safeguard children’s welfare. However, parents and carers have not given written consent for emergency medical treatment. This has a negative impact on children's well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of activities that contribute to their health. They access daily activities to enhance their physical development, such as regular walks and visits to the local park, library and beach. The childminder’s flexible routine incorporates time for quiet play and rest; toddlers are able to sleep in-line with their individual needs and parents' wishes. Consequently, their overall health is enhanced.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides freshly prepared meals and snacks, including fresh vegetables, fruit and a variety of pasta dishes. This encourages children to enjoy healthy and nutritious foods. The children are encouraged to sit socially around the dining room table and engage in conversation with their peers. Older children feed themselves independently while the younger children are offered assistance when required. Children are provided with regular drinks at snack and meal times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment. They have free access to the lounge and dining room on the ground floor. Children are able to move freely as there is adequate space, which is clean and well maintained. The childminder has a suitable awareness of the risks to children's safety and has taken reasonable steps to ensure the environment is safe and secure. However, the fire blanket is not appropriately sited, dangerous substances are accessible and the hearth around the fireplace poses a potential risk to young children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safely transported in the car. They are appropriately restrained and the childminder ensures the safe procedures when exiting the vehicle by parking on the pavement side. However, written consent to transport children has not been obtained from parents and this has a negative impact on children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access a suitable range of resources appropriate to their age and stage of development, including board games, craft activities, garage, large trucks and books. The majority of the equipment is stored in the lounge and the children access the area to alternate activities. The resources are clean and well-maintained and this ensures children can play safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has attended a level one child protection training course. She shows a sound understanding of how to protect children. The documentation with regard to safeguarding children is in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and enjoy their time with the childminder. On arrival at the home the childminder uses distraction techniques well to engage children in activities. This helps the children quickly settle after becoming distressed after the initial separation from their parents or carers. Children develop their independence when self-selecting resources and alternating them when required. The younger children are beginning to concentrate well on self-chosen tasks, for example, when playing with the Mr. Potato Heads. The older children relate well to

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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 each other and negotiate when in play. The younger children are beginning to enjoy the company of their peers, with support from the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from familiar routines which help them feel secure. Positive relationships have developed between the childminder and children, for example, the younger children often approach her for a cuddle. The childminder knows the children well; she incorporates planned activities to help the children make progress when an area of weakness has been identified. For example, to develop children's language development she spends time reading and encouraging the use of single words to help the children clearly communicate their needs. Children benefit from a range of activities, both in and out of the home environment, which contributes well to their overall development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are secure in their environment. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards equal opportunities and encourages everyone to play a full part in the setting. This raises self-confidence. The children are taken on regular outings to places of interest to raise their awareness of others. Within the home environment children access some resources reflecting positive images, such as a doll, books and selected television programmes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and are beginning to understand the consequences of unacceptable behaviour on others. Consistent behaviour management techniques ensure children understand right from wrong. The younger children are beginning to understand the need to share and take turns. The childminder knows the children's individual personalities very well, her approach to behaviour management is in accordance to this and takes into account their age and understanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An induction procedure is strongly recommended to parents, this helps the children settle and feel confident in the childminder's home. Satisfactory information about each child is obtained when setting up the placement, ensuring that their individual needs are met, however, appropriate consents are not in place and this has a negative impact on meeting parents' wishes. Parents are informed daily of the types of activities the children have been involved in, this is both through verbal discussion and in the form of a written daily diary.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children access a variety of play opportunities through the suitable organisation of space, time and resources. The dining room is used for meal times and creative activities, such as gluing and painting activities. The lounge is carpeted and provides a comfortable space for imaginary and floor based activities. The flexible routine incorporates time for children to be taken to and collected from the local nursery and school.

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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 child protection and first aid. This has a positive impact on the quality of care provided. However, the childminder has failed to notify Ofsted of the changes in the persons over the age of 16 living in the household. Consequently, this has a negative impact on children's safety and welfare and is a breach of the regulation. Documentation is up-to-date and mostly recorded well and personal details are stored confidentially.

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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 Overall, the provision does not meet 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 complaint 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • inform Ofsted of any changes in the persons over the age of 16 living in the household. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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