Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY266923 Unique Reference Number 18 September 2007 Inspection date Julie, Anne Swan Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2003. She lives in the Biddick Hall area of South Shields. The whole ground floor and first floor bathroom of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder uses her car to take children on outings. She attends the local parent/toddler group and takes the children to local parks.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding three children, all of whom attend full time.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into a friendly, warm and clean home environment where they are able to learn the importance of good personal hygiene from an early age, through well organised routines and practice. They know to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating meals or snacks. The children are protected from infection because the childminder is well

p.2

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 informed about their health and employs suitable methods to prevent infections spreading, such as implementing her sick child policy. Information is shared with parents relating to all aspects of their child's health and she values and respects parents' wishes. Good procedures are in place for recording children's accidents or administering medication and parents countersign the entry, this impacts positively on the children's health and well-being. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and is confident she can deal with any minor accidents.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet. They enjoy home cooked meals, which have been planned in advance to meet their preferences and dietary needs. Meals include all the food groups and are healthy and nutritious for children. The children help prepare some of their own snacks and meals, such as sandwiches and fruit, this helps develop their awareness of healthy eating and encourages them to try new things. Children are secure in the knowledge they can ask for more food and drinks to satisfy their appetite. Children can access drinks at all times throughout the day.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of physical activities which contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Younger children are able to rest as required and are stimulated according to their needs. Children's health and development are very well promoted through their participation in a variety of stimulating physical activities. They are developing control of their bodies and acquire a wide range of skills through everyday opportunities for outdoor activities. These include visits to the local park and free access to the enclosed rear garden. Their hand-eye coordination and dexterity is developing well as they are introduced to small world figures, jigsaws and creative activities, such as painting, cutting, drawing and sticking. All children are able to fully participate in the activities because the childminder uses her experience and knowledge of child development to adapt these to a suitable level.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and well-maintained environment. The childminder safeguards children's welfare by having an excellent awareness of safety. An effective visual risk assessment is carried out on the premises, toys and activities every day to ensure potential risks are identified and minimised. Space and resources are organised to allow free space for the children to enjoy and access safely. Children benefit from an effective range of safety measures, for example, cupboard locks, stair gates, socket covers and a range of fire safety equipment, although the fire blanket is not currently wall mounted. Children's knowledge of emergency evacuation is extended through discussions and regular evacuation practise.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about keeping themselves safe both in and out of the home. They learn about acceptable behaviour and the impact this has on their safety. For example, children know to hold hands or the buggy when out of the home and to stay together. They learn about the reasons to pick up after themselves to keep things safe for all children playing. Supervision is of a high standard. Children have access to well-maintained, developmentally appropriate toys and equipment. These are selected according to their age and ability to ensure they gain maximum benefit from them and can play safely with them. Well thought out activities ensure the children's safety at all times. Children are able to play and take risks in a safe and controlled environment with suitable adjustments made to meet all their needs.

p.3

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 The childminder has all the required policies, procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She has attended a child protection course and is aware of her responsibility to protect children and to keep them safe.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are offered a wide range of opportunities and activities both in the home and outside, which encourages and enables them to become more independent through new experiences and challenges. The fully enclosed garden results in children having free access to outdoor toys, which helps to promote their gross motor skills. Although activities are pre-planned, these are very much subject to the needs and choices of the children.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are good systems in place for evidencing opportunities undertaken as examples of photographs depicting outings, themed activities and outdoor play are available. Activities in the main, centre around themes, such as seasons and cultural festivals and as a result, children learn about the wider world. A wide range of age-appropriate toys, resources and play materials are available. These enable the children to experience physical play, art and craft activities, as well as having access to many books. Children are able and encouraged to make independent choices regarding play, with the childminder playing with them to broaden their opportunities and learning.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have warm relationships with the childminder. Children approach her for physical comfort and reassurance which contributes to their sense of belonging and well-being. They have opportunities to think for themselves, express their ideas and interact with others by sharing and taking turns. Children's learning and development is extended by the childminder's constant awareness and knowledge of how children learn through play. Children respond happily to the childminder, gaining security to let her leave the room and continue their play. The childminder has an excellent knowledge of them as individuals and demonstrates genuine pleasure in their company.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, they talk about foods and where they come from. Children learn about their local community as they visit places of interest, such as the library and parks.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are developing positive and respectful attitudes towards other people through the good example set to them by the childminder. She promotes good manners for instance, which teaches the children to have regard for others and equips them with good social skills. The children form secure relationships with the childminder, demonstrated in the affectionate way they interact with her. This enables the children to trust other people and to experience the emotional benefits of a close relationship.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are looked after in accordance with their parents' wishes because of the effective partnership that the childminder has established with their parents. This helps to ensure that the children's needs are fully met. Parents are kept well informed through daily discussions about the things that their children have done during their time with the childminder. This gives parents the chance to act on issues that they think are important which contributes to

p.4

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 the children's general well-being. Contracts are used which set out clearly the expectations of both parties. This helps to preserve harmony between the child's parents and the childminder and creates a pleasant atmosphere in which the children can flourish.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is enhanced by the childminder’s organisational skills. Children are eager to attend and relish their time in a lively and safe setting, which puts them first. They feel at home because the childminder organises the space, play resources and activities effectively to meet individual children’s needs. Children are happy and confident initiating their own activities. Organised activities provide stimulating and challenging experiences for children of all ages within a fun and supportive environment. Space and resources are well thought through to maximise play opportunities for children in order for them to develop to their full potential and at their own pace.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has a professional yet caring and sensitive approach and this is clearly demonstrated in her practice. These ensure each child's potential is recognised and activities support and challenge each child.

p.5

Organisation

Records are shared with parents and communication is excellent. This contributes to the trusting relationships developed between them and impacts on the children's feelings of security. Ratios are met at all times and the childminder has a good awareness of the impact these have on the children's health, safety, socialisation and learning.

p.5

Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a recommendation relating to documentation was raised. A full complaints policy is now available to parents which includes details of how to contact the regulator.

p.5

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. 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.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • ensure fire blanket is sited in accordance with fire service recommendations.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6