Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY330209 Unique Reference Number 23 August 2007 Inspection date Jasmin Myles-Wilson 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 2006 and lives with her husband and adult son in their home in Bedlington, Northumberland. The whole ground floor is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed back yard available. Local amenities and public transport systems are within a short walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. At present she is minding three children aged under five years on various days and at various times. She also cares for one child aged over eight years before and after school. The childminder walks to collect children from the local first school. The family has a dog and a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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's health and hygiene is promoted well through established daily routines and practices, such as using separate hand towels to prevent the spread of infections. They also realise that washing their hands before eating is important to keep themselves healthy. Children receive good care as the childminder has clear knowledge and thorough procedures in place for dealing with illnesses and accidents. She also uses the accident book well, making a full and detailed record of the incident. Although there have been no medications administered to children the childminder is very aware to obtain written parental consent before administering medication .

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good level of outdoor activities which promotes good health, physical development and exercises their whole body. For example, using climbing and swinging equipment in the local park and walking whenever possible.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is knowledgeable and trained in providing healthy meals and snacks for children and also has a good written food and drink policy. Children enjoy food that nourishes their body, such as cheese and spaghetti bolognaise and effectively meets their dietary requirements. Children are kept hydrated throughout the day as their drinking cups are filled and replenished regularly. They can easily access a drink whenever they feel thirsty as their cup is left in an accessible place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Effective written accident prevention procedures are in place to ensure risks to children are kept to a minimum ensuring that children can access all areas safely. For example, children explore and have freedom to move throughout the areas designated for them. The childminder ensures that all equipment is well maintained, regularly checked and used appropriately, therefore contributing to children's safety. However, children's safety is compromised as children have not practised how to escape the premises in an emergency. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and safe environment in which they are welcomed and can safely select from a good range of activities that are easily accessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very aware of how to keep themselves safe on the roads, for example, they know that they should look left and right before walking across the road. They also know that they should not run across the road otherwise they may trip which results in them being knocked over. The childminder takes children's safety seriously and has good working knowledge and understanding regarding child protection issues. Therefore, children are safeguarded and their welfare is protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children access a broad and varied range of activities contributing to their all round development. They enjoy the activities available, are creative and use their imagination well. For example, as children use scissors, with a zigzag edge, they refer to it being a crocodile and go around snapping at things as though the 'crocodile' was eating it. The childminder plans flexible

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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 activities for children and uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework to assess what children can do and how to help them to progress further. Children are challenged well by activities, such as learning how to cut with scissors. They are confident in asking questions and making requests. They also link what they are doing to other things they have learnt, for example, when they do pictures with glitter and see it sparkling they request that they sing the song 'Twinkle twinkle little star.'

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children interact well together and actively involve the childminder and she is attentive to their wishes, responding interactively which contributes to their sense of belonging and gives children good play experiences. They are encouraged to think as the childminder communicates well with them which includes listening to what they have to say.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has good understanding of equality and diversity and has a written policy in place. Both aspects enable her to provide individual care for children in conjunction to adhering to parental wishes. Children learn to respect each other, appreciate differences and develop an awareness of diversity within the wider world and their community through the range of resources provided and visiting places of interest. However, the range of resources reflecting positive images for varying abilities is limited. Children are listened to and affirmed contributing to them being included and having equal access to all activities and resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective behaviour management strategies encourages children to learn what behaviour is acceptable, therefore, children begin to understand right from wrong. Regular praise and encouragement helps children to develop confidence and lets them know they are doing well and they respond positively to this. For example, children are given stickers when they do something well and this makes them feel good which boosts their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good relationships are built up with parents as the childminder uses effective ways to make them feel welcome and keeps them informed of her service. Children are happy and receive continuity of care as the childminder and their parents work well together sharing and obtaining information so that children's individual needs are met well.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being in a well organised environment so that they feel relaxed, confident and safe. They receive effective care and attention through the childminder being aware of their safety and well-being. The childminder is fully committed to developing her knowledge and enhancing her practice through training and workshops such as National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 in childcare and working in partnership with parents. She has also put her name forward to do further training, such as Early Years Foundation Stage. This benefits children as they receive effective care for their individual needs.

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Organisation

The childminder has all relevant documentation, good written policies and procedures, such as behaviour management strategies and complaints procedure in place to ensure the safe running of the provision and to provide good care for individual children. The childminder has good knowledge and understanding of her responsibility toward Ofsted expectations. For example, she understands it is her responsibility to inform Ofsted whenever there are any significant changes or events.

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

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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 complaint 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): • improve safety procedures so children learn how to escape the premises in an emergency • increase supply of resources that reflect positive images of diversity.

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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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