Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY341584 Unique Reference Number 03 May 2007 Inspection date Elaine Marie McDonnell 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 has been registered since November 2006. She lives in a new house on the Kings Chase estate in Redcar. The childminder lives with her partner and her three children who are aged 10, 12 and 20 years old. Minded children have the use of the lounge, the kitchen/diner and a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor. There is also a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for up to three children under eight years at any one time. There is currently one child on roll, aged 11 months, who is cared for five mornings a week.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows good health and hygiene procedures, for example, the premises and equipment are kept clean. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding how to promote health and prevent the spread of infection, such as by implementing good nappy changing routines and by ensuring that carpeted areas where young children crawl and play are kept clean and hygienic. Appropriate written procedures are in place

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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 to protect children’s overall health in relation to illness. Accident and medication records are available and are well completed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are appropriately nourished. Parents provide their child's food, snacks and milk formula. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to provide varied and nutritious meals and snacks for children, should she be requested to. She also has a foundation certificate in food hygiene. The childminder finds out about individual dietary requirements or family preferences from parents and these are recorded on the child's registration form.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to enjoy physical activity, for example, a walker and a rocker are available in the lounge to promote young children's physical development. Children also go for visits to the park and enjoy being pushed in swings and feeding the ducks. The childminder is well aware of children's individual sleeping and eating routines and ensures these are adhered to.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Good steps have been taken to ensure that children are cared for in a safe environment, for example, the premises and rear garden are kept secure. A suitable first aid box, fire blanket and smoke alarms are available. Several safety gates are fitted around the house as well as items to prevent children from trapping their fingers in doors. Good steps are taken to ensure that children are kept safe when playing outdoors and when on outings, for example, suitable car safety seats are available and the rear garden is free from obvious hazards. The childminder has a detailed fire escape plan in place which is clearly displayed and is explained to parents. However, this has not yet been practised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The environment is warm and welcoming for the children with a range of age appropriate toys readily available in the lounge. Children have easy access to a good range of toys, equipment and furniture and the childminder ensures that resources are safe and suitable for children's use,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

with regular checking and cleaning routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected. The childminder demonstrates a good understand of child protection issues, is aware of her role and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are involved in a good range of activities that cover all areas of development, for example, activity toys, shape sorters, stories, physical play and visits to social groups; future plans include swimming. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of appropriate play experiences to provide for children of different ages. She also has a good understanding of what minded children like to do, such as going to feed the ducks. The childminder is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and has arranged to attend a training course in relation to this later in the year.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop confidence and self-esteem well when being praised and encouraged by the childminder for their efforts, for example, when clapping and attempting to repeat sounds and

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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 words. Children show an interest in what they do and enjoy the activities and resources available. They are acquiring new skills and knowledge, such as physical skills and language skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to help children learn about aspects of their own culture as well as other cultural backgrounds and beliefs. She has discussed this with parents and plans to introduce appropriate activities when children are at an age where they can understand and appreciate more varied play experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to promote equality of opportunity and of how to meet children's individual needs. She has a very positive attitude about caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities, or those who speak English as an additional language, and has experience of caring for children with additional needs in the past.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children thoroughly enjoy being with the childminder and enjoy the activities available. They are settled and happy and make positive relationships with adults. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to manage behaviour appropriately for children of different ages.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works very well in partnership with parents and carers. Parents are kept informed of their child’s development and progress through regular discussions with the childminder. They also receive comprehensive written procedures about the provision. Contract agreements with parents are in place, as well as various consent forms.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder ensures that adults caring for children are suitable to do so as all adults in the household have been vetted. She has a positive attitude towards personal development and plans to undertake additional training courses. The childminder completed an appropriate first aid course in October 2006. However, her first aid certificate is currently not available for inspection, but is expected to be returned to the childminder in the near future.

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Organisation

Attendance records show that adult to child ratios are effectively maintained and the attendance register is kept up to date and accurate. The childminder has very high regard for the well-being of all children and they receive excellent adult support and attention.

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Organisation

Most documents and records required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available, well kept and up to date. There are also lots of good practice records available for inspection, such as policy and procedure documents. 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

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 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): • practise the emergency escape plan.

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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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