Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY275474 Unique Reference Number 11 May 2007 Inspection date Pauline Pinnegar 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 December 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight years and five years old, in a house in the Sober Hall area of Ingelby Barwick. The house is situated close to local amenities including schools and shops. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum five children under eight years at any one time. There are currently four children aged between 19 months and seven years on roll. Children attend at varied times and days of the week. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is also a member of the Yarm Childminding Group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children take part in regular and worthwhile physical activity and have plenty of opportunity to refine various skills. They have access to the garden where they can play with a large range of safe and suitable equipment, including hoops, bats and balls, and wheeled toys. Outings

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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 that occur during school holidays, include opportunities for children to take part in nature trails, where children can enjoy the real challenge of climbing and developing new physical skills. Outings also include trips to various parks where children develop their large motor skills. Children also listen to music indoors and enjoy dancing sessions moving to music in different ways.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well protected from infection because the childminder implements a sickness exclusion policy to protect everyone. Accident and medication records fully meet requirements and are kept with a good regard for confidentiality. Written parental consent is in place regarding the seeking of emergency advice. However, it is not in place for all children to seek emergency treatment which compromises children's health. Children follow good health and hygiene practices as part of their everyday routines, washing their hands effectively at appropriate times, using anti-bacterial soap and separate hand towels. Daily routines are organised flexibly, allowing children to rest and sleep according to their individual needs, so that they are content and able to enjoy their play.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder liaises closely with parents to understand children's individual dietary needs. She provides healthy, freshly cooked meals, including plenty of salads and vegetables and children are offered nutritious snacks. Fruit is always available. Children are sometimes involved in helping to prepare snacks and they enjoy regular baking sessions. The childminder actively promotes healthy eating, as she talks with children about the importance of a varied diet and discourages too many sweet foods. Children are always able to get themselves a drink independently. They also explore health and growth through planned activities. A collage height chart made by the children, monitors individual growth on a regular basis.

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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 very child friendly home, as the childminder organises space and resources well to reduce potential hazards and actively encourage independence. She carefully considers the age range present when planning different activities and assesses risks effectively to promote children's safety and enjoyment. Children use a broad range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards, helping them to enjoy a wide variety of experiences safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's awareness of risk and safety is raised in everyday activities. They use the whole environment freely and older children can select toys and visit the toilet independently. Children learn to stay beside the childminder when they are out walking, hold onto the pushchair and stop at the kerb when crossing the road together. She talks with children all the time about the dangers of busy roads. The risk of accidents is minimised by consistently reinforced safety rules. The childminder has a well considered, written plan for safe evacuation in an emergency, which she has practised with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding of her responsibilities within child protection procedures. She has recently completed training to update her knowledge of the procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She clearly explains to parents the requirement to keep a record of all accidents and existing injuries. She has confidence in her own ability to protect children and keep them safe. Her willingness to share concerns with parents ensures that the welfare of children in her care is given high priority.

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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 many interesting activities using a wide range of resources, which support and challenge their development. They develop confidence, as the childminder talks to them and shows interest in what they are doing. The childminder observes children's play carefully, finding out what they enjoy and can do, and plans experiences around their interests, to extend their learning. She encourages children to be fully involved in sharing their ideas for activities. The childminder offers opportunities for children to enjoy exploratory play, like creative activities, painting and play dough. She has a good awareness of the needs of younger children, and has familiarised herself with the 'Birth to three matters' framework very well by attending training and doing her own research on the internet. She recognises that this helps her to enhance planning of children's daily play experiences. The childminder interacts well with all the children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and plenty of laughter is observed in their conversations. Children are confident and show high levels of self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become engrossed in activities that interest them and their language skills develop well as they talk about what they are doing. They are fascinated by the photograph album pointing out different children and enjoy recognising themselves. They become engrossed in playing with the cars and feeding the dolls and have great fun dressing up and looking at themselves in the mirror. Children love singing and dancing to music, and looking at picture books with the childminder. All the children love craft activities and the childminder suggests different ideas according to the season. Children enjoy gluing and sticking activities and creating models with various media. The childminder uses the local Sure Start facilities well, where children attend toddler groups and story time sessions. In the holidays children attend lots of interesting outing such as trips to museums, parks, railway museum, county parks, and local

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

quayside. Older children enjoy playing with board games and completing word searches.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to feel a strong sense of belonging because they are warmly welcomed into the childminder's home and cared for in a friendly, family atmosphere. Children's relationships with the childminder are warm and trusting. Daily routines are very flexible and relaxed, based on children's own needs and routines. Children confidently show the childminder what they want to do next. They are able to access resources independently and plan their own play. The childminder responds sensitively and supportively to their non-verbal communications and understands their needs very well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit positively from a successful partnership between the childminder and their parents which ensures that individual needs are well met. For example, information is shared effectively in verbal form, and the childminder ensures parents fully understand and agree with written policies, as well as signing required parental consents. Parents of children aged under five years also receive written feedback via daily diaries. The childminder actively encourages parents to share any concerns. She is aware of the importance of responding swiftly to complaints and displays the Ofsted poster for parents. However, the written complaints procedure does not include the correct detail.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very positive and consistent approach to managing behaviour. Children are helped to feel good about themselves, as the childminder praises them and gives lots of warm encouragement. They learn to share and cooperate as they play. This reinforces caring

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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 behaviour, so that children learn to be kind and helpful to each other. The childminder agrees with parents how behaviour will be managed and ensures children clearly understand when behaviour is unacceptable. Children's awareness of their local community is raised well, as they regularly enjoy outings. They go to the local shops, visit the parks and attend local toddler groups. The childminder has a good range of resources, which reflect diversity, and uses them well to promote children's awareness of difference. Children explore different festivals, such as Chinese New year, Divali, Eid and Holi. They also enjoy food from around the world at toddler group.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for within a safe and well organised, homely environment. Their individual needs are supported by flexible and child-led planning. Children benefit positively from the childminder's clear sense of purpose and the fact that she continually strives to improve the service she provides, by attending relevant training courses. She definitely demonstrates a high regard for the well-being of all children in her care and successfully promotes a very caring atmosphere. She is very aware of differing developmental needs and organises her time and plans relevant activities well, to cater effectively for all children in her care.

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Organisation

Children are kept safe and their welfare is effectively safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding and implementation of the required policies and procedures. All documentation is readily available for inspection. The registration certificate is displayed to parents as required. Contracts and written consents agreed with parents fully reflect the co-childminding arrangement. The childminder clearly understands requirements with regard to reaching agreements with parents, so that their wishes are clearly understood. She shares information daily with parents about children's activities and care needs, enabling consistency and continuity of care. Comprehensive written policies support her professional practice, so that children's welfare is fully safeguarded.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to ensure the child protection policy contains all the relevant contact details. The written policy now includes all the relevant contact details improving the childminder's understanding of her local procedures, and contributing to safeguarding children.

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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 in order to meet the National Standards.

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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 made to Ofsted.

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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 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): • request written consent from all parents to seek emergency treatment • review the complaints procedure to ensure it contains all the required detail.

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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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