Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY335104 Unique Reference Number 23 May 2007 Inspection date Cilla Burdis 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 grown up children in a residential area situated on the outskirts of Sunderland town centre. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed yard available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. This can be increased to nine, when she is working with an assistant. The childminder is currently minding six children on a part-time basis. The children are aged 11 months, 13 months, 17 months, 23 months, two years and three years. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is clean, warm and welcoming with a good standard of hygiene maintained throughout. The childminder's sickness policy and good hygiene practice reduce the risk of illness and infection for children in her care. Effective routines encourage the development of good hygiene practice. The childminder implements these routines with children

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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 from a very young age, for example, by helping children to wipe their hands after having their nappies changed. The childminder establishes children's health needs at the start of the placement and ensures any specific requirements are met. Although there have been no accidents to children in her care, the childminder understands the procedure for recording the details and sharing them with parents. Written consent has been obtained from parents prior to the administration of medication and records have been kept. The childminder is not, however, fully safeguarding children's health as she has not requested written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to eat a variety of healthy and nutritious foods. The childminder ensures individual children's dietary needs are catered for in consultation with parents. The childminder has highchairs and age appropriate dishes and utensils to help develop children's independence with regard to feeding themselves. Mealtimes are social occasions when the children either sit around the breakfast bar or at a child sized table, depending on their ages and abilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have opportunities to be active. The younger children are able to move around the available floor space, developing their mobility skills. As their skills develop they have access to resources including wheeled toys and ball games. They also have opportunities to exercise and use a range of equipment at toddler group. The children are learning action rhymes and songs to develop bodily awareness and a sense of rhythm. The children rest or sleep in accordance with their individual needs. The childminder monitors closely by checking the children at regular intervals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Sufficient, clear floor space in the childminder's well organised home allows the children to play safely, freely and independently. Children are able to select from a broad range of age appropriate resources that are regularly cleaned and in good condition. The childminder has minimised risk to children's safety within her home and ensures they are fully safeguarded when taken on outings, for example, by strapping them securely in a buggy or using a wrist strap as appropriate. The safety routines and sensitive reminders raise children's awareness, with regard to promoting their own safety in the home and on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of child protection issues and her responsibility to safeguard children. This formed part of the childminder registration course. She does not, however, have a copy of the current child protection booklet, 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused-summary'. This compromises children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settling well with the childminder and are developing a good sense of security in her care. The childminder knows the children well and has a clear understanding of their needs, likes and dislikes. The childminder provides good levels of support to help the children feel safe and secure. She responds affectionately to the children and provides cuddles to reassure them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are involved in a varied range of activities in accordance with their age and stage of development. The childminder makes a good variety of resources accessible so they can

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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 make choices and self-select. This effectively promotes children's independence. The children enjoy looking at books, examining the interactive toys and watching some children's television programmes with the childminder. The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn through play. She does not, however, use the 'Birth to three matters' framework to support her in monitoring the care and development of the under threes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are highly valued as individuals. The childminder promotes anti-discriminatory practice and a positive view of diversity through the images portrayed in her books and toys. She does not, however, have resources that promote positive images of disability. The childminder raises children's awareness by watching children's television programmes with them. One programme includes sign language to communicate. The childminder is learning the signs and shares them with the children during play. The childminder is caring for children, whose first language is not English. Although she is following parental guidance in using English when talking to the children, she has not obtained details of any words the children are likely to use in order to help them to communicate more effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Consistent house rules and clear boundaries help children to learn how to behave acceptably. The childminder uses praise and encouragement to build children's self-esteem and to manage their behaviour. The strategies she uses are in accordance with the children's age and stage of development and their level of understanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in partnership with parents and carers by welcoming them into her home and keeping them fully informed about their child's care and activities. She is respectful of parents' wishes and strives to develop good channels of communication. The childminder establishes children's care needs before the placement begins. This enables her to meet their needs effectively and contributes to the way the children are settling well.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a well organised environment that keeps them safe and secure. Toys and resources are organised effectively, enabling all children to make choices about their play. Documentation is well organised and readily accessible. Records are stored securely to protect confidentiality and most parental consents are in place. The registration certificate is displayed prominently for parents to easily access. The childminder has completed a local authority approved registration course and holds a current first aid certificate. This promotes children's care and welfare. The childminder understands that she is accountable for, and supervises the work of, her assistants.

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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

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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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

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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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): • request parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • obtain the booklet, 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused-summary' • obtain resources reflecting positive images of disability • consider ways of communicating more effectively with children, whose first language is not English.

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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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