Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY343692 Unique Reference Number 25 May 2007 Inspection date Ann Coggin 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 and lives in the Brooke Estate area of Hartlepool, with her husband and two adult daughters. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom and toilet upstairs are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five years on part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder contributes to children's understanding of the importance of good personal hygiene by ensuring they wash their hands before meals and snacks and after using the toilet. Older children have individual towels to prevent cross infection and they are encouraged to

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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 brush their teeth after meals. There are good hygiene practices in place for nappy changing. The childminder has a written sick children's policy which is shared with parents stating she will not care for children with an infectious illness to prevent the spread of infection. Systems are in place for addressing children's health needs, such as the recording of medication and accidents and having all parental consents in place. Children are well protected in the event of an accident as the childminder has completed an appropriate first aid course. The childminder ensures children are well protected from the sun by applying sun cream provided by the parents and ensuring they wear their sun hats before going outdoors.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides nutritious meals and snacks whilst taking into account children's likes and dislikes and any special dietary requirements. Children enjoy healthy, home made meals and are offered fruit at snack time with the childminder following the recommended 'five a day' fruit and vegetables. Water is available throughout the day and the childminder ensures that children drink more after playing outdoors and during the warm weather.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from daily fresh air which contributes to their good health. They go for walks to the local parks and play outside in the garden with a good selection of toys and equipment to promote their physical skills, such as a play tunnel, ball pool and sit and ride toys. The children also have regular opportunities to access soft play equipment.

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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 safe and secure environment where risks have been identified and minimised enabling children to move around freely, safely and independently. Safety equipment, such as socket covers and a stair gate to prevent children from accessing the stairs are in place and all dangerous substances are inaccessible to children. The childminder has fitted smoke alarms which are checked monthly and a fire blanket is situated in the kitchen. There is a written emergency evacuation procedure in place, which she practises with the children bimonthly to ensure they are safe in an emergency. She carries out daily risk assessments to ensure her home is safe before the children arrive.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe outdoors both in the childminder's garden and on outings as there are suitable procedures in place. The rear garden is checked prior to the children playing outside and they are always supervised. Young children are securely strapped into buggies when going for a walk and older children holds hands or walk in front always staying within the childminder's sight. She talks to the children about keeping safe, for example, not wandering off and talking to strangers and she ensures children stop look and listen for cars when crossing the road. Written consents for transporting children and taking children on outings are in place ensuring children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play safely with a range of appropriate toys and resources which are well maintained and in a safe condition. They are organised to allow children easy access to them to promote children's independence. They are cleaned regularly and checked to ensure they are safe to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities with regard to child protection and has a written statement which is shared with parents. Documentation regarding local procedures are readily available to enable her to report any concerns.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy being with the childminder and they are happy, settled and secure with her. Children make positive relationships with the childminder and their peers and they develop a sense of belonging because the childminder takes time to get to know them well. She listens to them, responds to their non verbal clues and interacts with them during their play. Children respond well to her calm manner, they enjoy cuddles and smile and laugh as they are praised and encouraged. Activities, such as playing with musical instruments, crawling through the play tunnel and baking are fun and purposeful and they promote children's all round development. Children have opportunities to play outside the home, they attend toddler groups, where they learn to socialise and share toys and resources, and visit the local park to feed the ducks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good understanding of the developmental needs of young children and uses her experience and training to provide good quality care for children. Children are interested in the toys and resources available and approach the childminder happily to ask for her to join in their play, for example, in completing a jigsaw or playing ball outside. Children are developing their language well as the childminder constantly talks to them and waits and listens to their responses. She promotes children's language through everyday activities. They enjoy stories, especially when the childminder brings out the story sacks, they especially like 'the mouse and the big red strawberry'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has implemented the 'Birth to three matters' framework in her planning and observations. She records how young children are developing by using the trackers system linked to the different components.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder's written equal opportunities policy is shared with parents. She ensures all children are included in activities and outings and treated with equal concern. She values and respects diversity and teaches children to respect and care for others and accept differences. Children are treated as individuals, as staff realise no two children are the same. All children are given the opportunities to reach their full potential, become independent and become a valuable member of society. Children effectively become aware of the wider society in which they live through accessing books, dolls, small world people and dressing up clothes which promote positive images of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing a good understanding of what is right and wrong through the consistent approach the childminder has to managing behaviour. Children's self esteem and confidence is promoted through the childminder's use of positive praise and encouragement and rewarding of good behaviour. She acts as a good role model to the children by talking calmly and politely to them, asking them to help her tidy up. Children's differing levels of understanding are taken into account, with distraction being used for the younger children and explanation and reasoning when children's maturity has developed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents and obvious strong relationships have been established. A diary is maintained and used as a two way communication tool to ensure children's individual needs are recorded, such as meals, sleep and activities. Policies and procedures have been developed to reflect practice and these are effectively shared with parents as they are given their own copy, with this contributing to an effective partnership. The childminder has

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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 devised her own questionnaires for parents which she asks them to complete at regular intervals. Consents are obtained as appropriate, for example, taking photographs, applying sun cream and maintaining developmental records. Each child has an individual scrap book with photographs of them enjoying various activities which parents can see anytime. The childminder has a written complaints procedure and has the Ofsted poster displayed in her dining room for parents, however, a complaints log is required.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a stimulating well organised environment and feel relaxed in the childminder's care. The childminder ensures children have sufficient space to play safely and freely. She organises resources to promote children's independence and encourages them to make choices about their play and learning. The childminder is committed to ongoing personal development and children benefit from her desire to update her knowledge and skills by attending workshops. For example, since registration she has attended healthy eating, child nutrition and promoting equality of opportunity and is currently working towards an NVQ in home based childcare.

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Organisation

Documentation is well organised and securely stored to ensure confidentiality. Children's personal records are up date, however, the record of attendance is not accurately maintained. The childminder's registration certificate is clearly displayed, ratios are adhered to and all adults within the home have under gone suitable checks.

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Organisation

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

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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 any action to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a log 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):

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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 • develop the complaints procedure to include a complaints log • ensure attendance record accurately records children's times of arrival and departure.

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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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