Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY345445 Unique Reference Number 20 July 2007 Inspection date Julie Morrison 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 was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and 16 years in the Seaham area of Durham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, and there is an enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children and currently has five on roll, aged six, four, two, two and one year old. The family has a pet rabbit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a clean and well maintained family home, where they are generally supported in staying healthy. For example, the childminder ensures that children wash hands before eating and after using the bathroom. A sick child procedure is discussed with parents and emergency consents, medication sheets and accident forms are all in place, promoting children's health and well-being.

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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 Children benefit from suitable opportunities for fresh air and exercise, which contributes to their good health. They go for walks to the park, the beach and to and from nursery each day. They also play in the enclosed rear garden, where they enjoy exploring the ball pool, tents and tunnels and playing with bats and balls. Suitable arrangements are in place for children to rest, this ensures they can rest or be active according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a sound understanding of the importance of a healthy diet. She prepares home cooked meals and regular snacks for the children, which include fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that any dietary needs are met.

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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 safe and secure environment where most of the risks have been identified and minimised. For example, doors are kept locked, sockets covered and all hazardous cleaning materials are out of children's reach. The childminder has suitable fire safety equipment in place, for example, smoke alarms and a fire blanket and discusses fire procedures with the children to help to keep them safe. A suitable range of toys and resources are put out for the children each day for them to self-select from. The childminder ensures that toys are clean, in safe condition and suitable for the age and stage of development of the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings as the childminder has suitable procedures in place. Young children are securely strapped into pushchairs while older children hold onto the pushchair or walk next to the childminder. The childminder implements appropriate safety procedures for outings, for example, carrying a mobile phone with emergency contact numbers, obtaining parental consent and discussing safety with the children. Children are appropriately protected as the childminder has an adequate understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and procedures to follow should she have a concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a suitable range of activities both inside and outside of the home. For example, they go for walks to the beach where they collect pebbles to make pictures with. Inside, they play with dolls, draw pictures and complete jigsaws. The childminder interacts well with the children, she sits with them and reads books, discussing the pictures they see in the stories. The childminder arranges activities which all of the children can get involved in, for example, building a bird house which all of the children are helping to paint and decorate.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is aware of the 'birth to three matters' framework, but she is not currently implementing this into her work to further develop learning opportunities for children. The childminder interacts calmly with the children, giving cuddles and tickling them. The children are happy and settled in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a suitable awareness of equal opportunities. She interacts well with the children, listening and valuing what they say. Children have suitable opportunities to learn about their local community, they go for walks to the beach and to the park. The childminder has some resources to promote diversity, however, no activities have been planned

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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 to develop children's learning of different cultures and diversity. The childminder has a good understanding of the issues surrounding learning difficulties and disabilities and is committed to working with parents to ensure that children's individual needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are well behaved as the childminder acts as a positive role model. She encourages the children to be polite and helps them learn right from wrong with simple house rules, for example, no climbing on the furniture and to share. Parents are invited for introductory sessions where they childminder obtains information from them to meet the individual needs of the child, for example, medical history and allergies. The childminder is aware of the procedure to follow if there is a complaint and she informs parents of this at the initial visit. Parents are kept up to date about their child's care and progress through daily verbal feedback.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are suitably cared for in an organised home where they are kept safe and secure. Toys and resources are effectively organised, enabling children to access most of them independently and make choices about their learning and play. Children are protected as the childminder and all adults in the home are suitably vetted.

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Organisation

Most records which are required for the safe and effective management of the setting are in place, stored securely to maintain confidentiality. However, the childminder's registration certificate is not displayed, this is a breach of conditions of registration. The childminder adheres to her registered numbers and keeps a register of children's attendance.

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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. 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 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):

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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 activities in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework • develop activities and resources to promote diversity • display conditions of registration.

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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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