Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY346902 Unique Reference Number 11 September 2007 Inspection date Elaine Marie McDonnell 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 March 2007. She lives with her partner and her two children, who are aged 11 and 12 years, in the New Marske area of Cleveland. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed rear yard available for outdoor play. The family have some fish and pet rats, which minded children have supervised access to.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for up to six children under eight years at any one time. There is currently one child on roll aged three years, who is cared for on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows appropriate hygiene procedures to ensure that the home and equipment are kept clean. Children are beginning to understand simple, good hygiene practices, such as regular hand washing, as this is promoted throughout the daily

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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 routine. Appropriate, written illness procedures are in place to protect children’s overall health and include exclusion periods. Accident and medication records are available and are well completed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. They receive healthy meals and snacks and drinks are readily available. The childminder finds out about children's individual dietary requirements or family preferences from parents and meals are planned in advance. Children have regular opportunities to enjoy physical activity when visiting woods, park, beach and other play areas. They also participate in using different musical instruments and dancing to music when playing indoors. Children rest and sleep according to their needs and individual routines, which the childminder is aware of.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Good steps are taken to ensure that children are cared for in a safe environment. For example, suitable safety equipment is in place and the childminder has conducted and recorded a risk assessment. Children learn to keep themselves safe when involved in fire drills. Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that children are kept safe when playing outdoors and when on outings, for example, suitable car safety seats are used when travelling.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The environment is warm and welcoming for the children with a suitable range of activities available for them to choose from. They have easy access to the range of toys, equipment and furniture and the childminder ensures that these are safe and suitable for use with regular checking and cleaning routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected, the childminder understands her role in relation to child protection issues and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. She demonstrates a good understanding of the different areas of abuse and of possible signs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are involved in a good range of activities that cover all areas of development. For example, listening to stories read by the childminder, role-play with cars and other vehicles, construction activities, visits to the beach, woods, shops and park. They are also involved in various different craft activities, such as, drawing, painting and hand prints. Some activities are pre-planned the week before children attend, they also have opportunities to be independent, use their initiative and decide for themselves what activities they would like to do.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show interest in what they do and enjoy the activities and resources available, particularly the books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They have good opportunities to learn about wider society and begin to appreciate their own culture and the cultural traditions of others. For example, an activity is planned for later this week in relation to Ganesh Chaturthi, a Hindu God. They learn about Chinese culture when celebrating Chinese New Year. Children also have access to dressing-up clothes which reflect other cultural backgrounds.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to promote equal opportunities and ensure that all children are included and involved. For example, by encouraging them to negotiate and play and work together. There are currently no children with any learning difficulties or disabilities attending the setting. However, the childminder has a positive attitude about caring for children with additional needs and has had experience of this in her previous job role.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy being with the childminder and enjoy the activities available, they are settled and happy and make positive relationships with adults. Children are well behaved. The childminder demonstrates an appropriate understanding of how to manage children's behaviour and promote a positive environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works well in partnership with parents and carers. Parents are kept informed of their child’s development and progress through regular discussions. The childminder also effectively passes onto parents any relevant information from nursery school. Parents receive a written copy of the childminder's policies and procedures and good written information is displayed for them, such as certificates and insurance documents. Several consent forms from parents are available, including consent for children to handle the family pets, however, consent to transport children in a vehicle is not currently available.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder ensures that adults caring for children are suitable to do so as both she and her partner have complied with vetting procedures. She has suitable childminding, first aid and food hygiene qualifications. The childminder has a positive attitude towards personal development and has also undertaken additional training since registration, for example, she in the process of extending her childminding qualification and training in relation to the new Early Years Foundation Stage is planned.

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Organisation

Most documents and records required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available, are well kept and up to date. There are also several good practice records available, such as policy and procedure documents.

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Organisation

Attendance records are kept up to date and are accurate and indicate that adult to child ratios are maintained. The childminder has high regard for the well-being of children and they receive good adult support and attention. 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

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 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): • extend the consent forms available from parents to include consent for children to be transported in a vehicle.

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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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