Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY345261 Unique Reference Number 23 May 2007 Inspection date Janet Fairhurst 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 satisfactory. 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 2007. She lives with her husband and their children, aged two years and seven years in Bridgehill, a village approximately two miles from Consett town centre. There are schools, pre-schools and toddler groups within the local area, as well as parks, shops and local amenities. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes. Daily outings are undertaken as children have no access to the garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding three children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are developing appropriate hygiene routines through the childminder's good standard of hygiene. For example, children know why it is important to wash their hands after activities and before they have their snack. Each child has their own individual towel which reduces the risk of cross contamination. The childminder ensures she has all of the appropriate

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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 documentation to support children's heath needs. The childminder is aware that she must have a current first aid certificate and this training is scheduled to take place next month. This will ensure that the treatment of injuries are carried out appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing their physical skills with a range of activities. For example, they get fresh air and exercise during their walks, which helps them to stay fit and healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is aware of the need to provide a balanced diet and to encourage children to eat healthy foods, to promote their continued growth and development. Water and low sugar drinks are offered to the children on a regular basis. Suitable arrangements are in place which ensures meals provided by parents are appropriately stored and prepared.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children enjoy a safe and secure environment because the childminder is vigilant and aware of the potential hazards. Children display confidence within the home as they know where things are kept. Children know the rules of the house and understand about hazards around the home. Through the childminder's encouragement children learn about the safe use of roads and recognise this will help to prevent accidents. The childminder is aware of fire safety and has made provision for a safe and efficient evacuation. However, these have not been discussed with the children, thus hindering their ability to become totally familiar with the evacuation procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have ample space to play within the childminder's home. They are able to select from a good range of clean and safe play resources. Toys and equipment are checked to minimise the risk of accidents to children. The childminder monitors and supervises children's choice of toys carefully to make sure that they are safe and appropriate for their ages.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected through the childminder's sound knowledge of child protection. She has a good awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse and who to contact if concerns are raised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and very secure in the stable environment, enjoying a good relationship between themselves and the childminder. They communicate easily with each other which helps children enjoy and achieve. They enthusiastically take part in a good range of activities, such as creative play, where they draw around dinosaur stencils and create their own mosaic pictures. Children happily make their own selections from the readily available resources and spend animated, concentrated effort on explaining the life and range of dinosaurs. The children talk happily about their play and with the help of the childminder write lists of the items they will need to take on their woodland walk.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children generally co-operate well with each other and are learning to share and take turns. They are very confident communicators and are eager to recount their experiences of outings in ways that capture their excitement and enjoyment. The childminder organises consistent but flexible routines through the day so that children have times for rest as well as active games. The childminder spends her time playing with the children, listening and talking to them, whilst

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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 gently guiding their learning. For example, knowing a child is keen to develop his number skills, she encourages him to practise his times tables using an initiative number cube.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals and all children are included with equal access to resources. The childminder provides a satisfactory range of resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity. Children learn about the local community through discussion and regular outings to local places of interest. The childminder has a sound understanding of equal opportunity, learning difficulties and disability issues.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children generally behave well because they know exactly what is expected of them. The childminder knows the children very well and manages their behaviour calmly and effectively, ensuring clear rules and boundaries are in place. The childminder makes good use of praise and encouragement to help children develop their self-confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Friendly relationships with parents have been established to help promote children's wellbeing, development and progress. They are provided with very good written information relating to the provision, which is well presented and detailed. Parents are encouraged to share information about their child which helps the childminder to meet the children's individual needs successfully. They are kept verbally informed about their child's day and activities. Comprehensive policies are in place and shared fully with parents. However, the complaints policy does not include the regulator's contact details.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease with the well organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Ample play space is available to the children in order for them to play in comfort.

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Organisation

Written policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. They are also used to inform the parents about the service and to inform them about their children's activities and achievements. The childminder has all required documentation in place; records are well maintained and this contributes greatly to children's health, safety and well-being.

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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

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 to Ofsted.

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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

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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 satisfactory. 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 safety by ensuring all children are familiar with the emergency evacuation procedures • improve information to parents about how to contact the regulator.

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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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