Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY103783 Unique Reference Number 04 June 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 2002 and lives with her husband and three adult children 13 year old daughter in a house situated in the town centre area of Hartlepool. The playroom, dining area and kitchen and toilet downstairs are used for childminding purposes. The upstairs is not used and children have access to a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for six children and is currently caring for three children under five years and five children before and after school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and of the Hartlepool Children Come First Network.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a range of physical activities that contribute to their good health. Daily activities include opportunities for children to be outdoors, as they walk to school or play in the garden. Regular use is made of a local play park for playing football, running around and climbing. Children enjoy physical activities, such as using sit and ride toys and space hoppers indoors and outdoors. Children are able to rest and be active according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home which contributes to their good health and sense of security. The childminder follows effective procedures and practices that meet children's health, nutritional and physical needs. The childminder sets good examples of personal hygiene through daily routines and she supports and guides children, which helps them to gain an understanding of good hygiene practices and increases their independence in their own personal care. For example, even the younger children know to wash their hands after using the toilet and playing outside with the sand. Children have their own individual towels to prevent cross infection and they automatically put their hands over their mouths when they cough. The childminder has good systems in place for addressing children's health needs and has taken all reasonable steps to protect children from illness and the spread of infection. Her sick children's

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Helping children to be healthy

policy and written medication procedure is shared with parents and children with an infectious illness are excluded and she only administers prescribed medication. Appropriate documentation for the recording of accidents, existing injuries and parental consents are in place ensuring children's health needs are met. The childminder has completed an appropriate first aid course ensuring children are protected in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's nutritional needs are well met. The childminder works closely with parents to provide food and drinks in accordance with their wishes and to meet their dietary needs. The childminder understands the importance of providing children with fresh fruit and vegetables and home cooked meals to promote their healthy growth and development. Regular drinks of water, milk and fruit juice are offered throughout the day.

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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 spacious, safe and welcoming environment. Good organisation of space and resources and daily risk assessments undertaken to identify and minimise risks, ensure children have room to move freely, safely and independently. The childminder gives priority to maintaining children's safety, for example, by ensuring hazardous substances are inaccessible to children, door guards prevent children jamming their fingers and a stair gate is fitted to prevent children going upstairs. There are smoke alarms fitted on each floor of the house and a fire blanket is situated in the kitchen. Regular fire drills are practised with the children to ensure they are safe in an emergency. The childminder has an emergency care plan for all the children in her care, which has been agreed with and signed by parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to child sized furniture and a broad range of equipment and toys. Children safely select activities from a wide range of good quality, well maintained toys and equipment that meet safety standards. welfare. Equipment is well organised and stored at child-level which allows even the youngest of children to make choices, develop their independence and direct their own play. The childminder monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to ensure

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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 that they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children's safety is well promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Systems are in place to ensure children remain safe outside the home. Young children walk with reins and older children walk ahead remaining in her sight at all times. They know to wait at kerbs and cross the road with the lollypop lady or by using the pelican crossing. The childminder has a written lost child policy and parental consents are in place for taking children on outings and transporting them in a vehicle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has recently attended training in working together for the safeguarding of children. She is aware of her roles and responsibilities in protecting children and has documentation to hand regarding local procedures to be followed if she had a concern about a child. The written child protection policy is shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care and they enter confidently and make themselves at home. They know the daily routine, for example, when arriving back from taking older children to school they take off their shoes and place them in the hall then go into the playroom and help themselves to toys. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding and knowledge of activities and outings which contributes to promoting children's learning and development, for example, visits to toddler groups and walks to local parks and playing together outdoors. She uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework to plan activities for the younger children and uses the tracker system linked to the different components for recording children's progress. Children enjoy their play and spend time purposefully engaged in age-appropriate activities. They enjoy completing jigsaws and playing in the sand.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children relate well to the childminder and interactions are warm, caring and affectionate, promoting children's well- being. Children's self-esteem is developing as a result of the childminder encouraging and praising them and valuing what they have to offer. The childminder sits and plays with the children, promoting their learning by asking them what colour the space hopper is and how many pieces of jigsaw are left. She has good eye to eye contact with the children and she shows an interest in what they do, for example, children's pictures and butterfly mobiles are proudly displayed for all to see. All children have their individual needs met through the childminder's sound knowledge of their capabilities. Children approach the childminder confidently to ask for help, for example, putting pieces of the jigsaw together. The childminder encourages children to extend their experiences by providing activities which promote their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

well-being and development. Children relate well to each other and are beginning to learn to share and take turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All of the children are warmly welcomed into the childminder's home and she values and respects each child's individuality. She cares for children in way which enhances their self esteem and promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice resulting in children feeling valued and free from discrimination. The childminder demonstrates an understanding of issues relating to promoting children's awareness about the wider community and diversity. Children access local play areas and toddler groups within the local community and there are resources, such as, books, small world figures, jigsaws and dressing up clothes promoting positive images

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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 of others. The childminder has a clear understanding of equal opportunities for children and acts as a good role-model. Her written policy is shared with parents and they sign to say they accept her policy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has house rules in place, such as not throwing toys and not hurting each other as she believes children feel secure when they know the boundaries. She uses positive strategies for managing behaviour taking account of children's ages, stages and level of understanding, helping the children understand the boundaries set and ensuring they play well together and behave well. The childminder talks calmly and quietly to children at all times, listens to them and responds positively and affectionately towards them. Children receive plenty of her time and attention which has a positive impact on their behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children settle well because the childminder works closely with the parents to ensure that she follows their home routines. The childminder keeps parents fully informed and they make time each day to discuss all information relating to their children's care, health and safety. This enables the childminder to meet each child's individual needs and parent's wishes for their children. Parents receive a welcome pack containing the childminder's personal profile, her policies and procedures including behaviour management, confidentiality and uncollected children and her previous inspection report. She has distributed questionnaires to parents asking for their comments on the care she provides. They were returned with positive comments, such as service provided is 'excellent' and one parent stated that the childminder had played a 'major part ' in her child's development. Her written complaints procedure is given to all

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents and the Ofsted poster is prominently displayed and whilst she has a complaints log this does not respect confidentiality.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease in the well organised environment which contributes to the children being happy and settled and confident in their play. Space indoors and outdoors is well organised and well laid out to maximise play opportunities for children allowing them to initiate their own learning. They are able to move around freely, safely, confidently and independently. Adult-child ratios are maintained and the childminder organises her time well to meet the individual needs of the children.

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Organisation

The childminder has a commitment to ongoing training to improve her practice and children benefit from training she has recently completed. For example, child nutrition, planning and observation for the Foundation stage and the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Organisation

Records and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. They are shared regularly with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. Her registration certificate is displayed and children's hours of attendance are recorded. Clear systems are in place to keep children safe, for example, all adults within the home have undergone 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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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure all child protection contact numbers are easily accessible and provide children with an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. Documentation has improved and telephone numbers are easily accessible ensuring children are well protected. Children have access to resources, such as jigsaws, books, dressing up clothes and small world toys promoting positive images of diversity.

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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): • Develop the complaints log to ensure confidentiality is maintained.

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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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