Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY273502 Unique Reference Number 03 September 2007 Inspection date Stephen Andrew Blake 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her two children aged nine years and 12 years, in their three bedroom semi-detached home in Acomb. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding. There is a large and fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding four children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder has use of her car to take and collect children to local schools and nurseries.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day there are indoor and outdoor activities to help them develop control of their bodies, for example, as they

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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 carefully balance bean bags, hop into designated spaces and ride on wheeled toys. Regular visits to parks, soft play centres and walks in the local area improve children’s physical skills. Younger children participate fully in all activities because the childminder makes good use of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and clean environment. They are developing an age-appropriate understanding of health and hygiene through the childminder’s encouragement and modelling, for example, when children wash their hands after toileting and before snacks. The childminder implements generally effective systems to safeguard children’s health and hygiene, for example, through a safe and hygienic nappy changing procedure. There are out of date items in the first aid kit.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a varied and nutritious diet because the childminder has an appropriate understanding of healthy eating and has established systems to plan varied and interesting menus. The childminder supports children as they contribute to their own healthy diet, for example, by growing their own vegetables. She organises her feeding routine in accordance with the child’s needs and parental wishes. She has effective systems for the storage and preparation of food and for the recording of individual dietary needs. This helps children to stay healthy.

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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 home where risks are effectively identified and minimised, for example, through a daily visual risk assessment. The childminder gives high priority to maintaining children’s safety outside the home, for example, when using age-appropriate car seats to transport children safely and a robust procedure for supervising children using the trampoline. The indoor environment is secure and the childminder uses a range of appropriate equipment in order to meet the needs and safeguard the safety of all children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a good range of toys and equipment, which meets safety standards. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children’s choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted. The childminder is aware of some aspects of child protection, but is not secure in her understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children settle quickly at the childminders house because she has created a well-organised and welcoming environment. They enjoy their time with the childminder. Children achieve well because the childminder is proactive in developing a robust understanding of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and the Curriculum guidance for the Foundation Stage, for example, when seeking professional advice and implementing guidance thoroughly.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relate well to each other and socialise with other children through regular attendance at soft play centres, use of nearby parks and outings to places of interest. They are developing independence as they chose between a planned and extensive variety of resources and activities which appeal to all. Children are discovering the world around them as they visit the post office,

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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 walk to nearby shops and enjoy local picnics. The childminder uses skilful and sensitive questioning techniques to support children and extend their leaning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children are happy and eager to participate. They spend their time purposefully because the childminder draws upon her knowledge and experience of early year’s child development. Younger children make excellent progress because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child and monitors their progress. Close and caring relationships increase children’s sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. Children’s communication skills are extremely well supported through high quality adult-child interactions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has established imaginative care and learning routines to balance periods of activity with opportunities to rest. She effectively supports children in their choices and carefully monitors chosen activities to ensure they are appropriate for the age and stage of development for each child. Her effective planning, knowledge and understanding of children’s learning, and insatiable enthusiasm for providing children with high quality care and learning experiences, means that children’s opportunities to enjoy and achieve are outstanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are developing a positive view of the wider world and an awareness of diversity because the childminder encourages children to consider the needs of others and think beyond their own boundaries. For example, when discussing the wider world at snack time and children’s experience of other cultures on holiday. Children are learning about their local community as they participate in a good range of activities, for example, when using nearby parks, visiting the post office and walking in the village.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their individual needs are met well as they follow their normal daily routine as discussed and recorded with their parents. The childminder has an effective partnership with parents and shares a good range of well-written documents relating to her childminding practice and children’s individual activities and routines. For example, through a range of well-written documents relating to her childminding service. She effectively records children’s achievements and shares information about their daily routine with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to make themselves at home and are involved in deciding what to do. They behave well because the childminder employs sensitive and age-appropriate behaviour management strategies, for example, by using a sticker system to recognise and praise positive behaviour. The childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities and implements this effectively.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are at ease in the childminder’s well-organised environment, for example, in her use of available space and the pre-arranged accessible resources. With careful and sensitive support, children are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are well-written and used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Planning systems are monitored and adapted to keep children safe and to enable them to make progress in all areas of their development. Individual children’s records

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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 are stored confidentially and shared regularly with parents to keep them well-informed about the childminding service and their child’s activities. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care. 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 childminder was asked to make improvements to the system for recording written parental permission for the administration of medication.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has established a system to ensure that written parental permission is obtained prior to the administration of medication. This helps children to stay healthy and improves her organisation.

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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. 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 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): • review the contents of the first aid box to ensure that items are replaced as necessary, regarding the out of date items • develop an understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board child protection procedures.

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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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