Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY347003 Unique Reference Number 13 August 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 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 February 2007. She lives with her husband, her adult daughter and her five year old daughter in the Eston area of Middlesbrough. The extended section of the house is used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. Minded children use only the paved section of the garden. The family home is close to local amenities, such as shops, primary schools and play parks. The family has a dog and two cats which minded children have supervised access to. The childminder is registered to care for up to five children under eight years at any one time and there are currently four children on roll, aged between two and 10 years, all are cared for on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows good health and hygiene procedures to ensure that the home and equipment are kept clean. Children learn about the importance of simple, good health and hygiene practices, such as regular hand washing. Appropriate written

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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 procedures are in place to promote children's health, including well completed accident and medication records.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. They are given healthy choices about what snacks they would like and the menus indicate that they receive a good range of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. The childminder finds out about children's individual dietary requirements or family preferences from parents and these are recorded.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have appropriate opportunities to enjoy physical activity, for example, they play with both large and small trampolines in the garden, they visit play parks and participate in physical play activities indoors, such as catching balloons. They rest and sleep according to their needs and individual routines and older children who don't have a sleep have access to quiet and restful activities, such as reading books.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that children are cared for in a secure and safe environment. However, first aid items are currently not stored in a suitable container and cleaning fluids in the kitchen are accessible to children. Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that children are kept safe when playing outdoors and when on outings. For example, the elevated sections of the garden are inaccessible to children and appropriate car safety seats and restraints are used when travelling in the childminder's vehicle.

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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 varied range of toys and play materials readily available for them. Examples of children's artwork are attractively displayed. Children have easy access to resources, including outdoor play items, and the childminder ensures that these are safe and suitable for use with regular checking routines. Children also learn to keep themselves safe when involved in fire drills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are appropriately protected. The childminder understands her role in relation to child protection issues and is able to put local procedures into practice when necessary. She demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of the main 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, they construct a train track, enjoy role play and various craft activities. They also participate in physical play when catching bubbles and balloons and when using the small trampoline. Children develop confidence and self-esteem when being praised and encouraged by the childminder for their efforts, such as when drawing and helping to tidy toys away.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have opportunities to be independent and use their initiative, for example, during toileting routines, when deciding what they want to eat for snack and what they want to play with. Younger children are acquiring new skills and knowledge, such as learning to name different colours, with support from the childminder and the other children. They show a lot of interest in what they do and enjoy the activities and resources available. Children respond to challenge and concentrate well when building a train track and when drawing pictures.

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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 Children have some opportunities to learn about wider society and begin to appreciate their own culture and the cultural traditions of others. For example, they have had a Chinese Day and have access to some resources which positively reflect diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Equal opportunities is appropriately promoted as children are included and involved, their individual needs are being met. Appropriate written procedures are in place for the identification and assessment of children with special needs and the childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for children with learning difficulties, disabilities or those who speak English as an additional language.

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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 and peers. They are generally well behaved and behaviour is well managed by the childminder who offers calm and timely explanations about what is expected, for example, for the children to share the toys and take turns.

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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 and through the use of a daily record book. Parents receive a copy of the childminder's policies and procedures. Appropriate consent forms from parents are available and contract agreements are in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder ensures that adults caring for children are suitable to do so as all adults in the household over 16 years have been appropriately vetted. The childminder has a positive attitude towards personal development and as well as completing childminding, first aid and food hygiene courses, she has undertaken additional training since registration.

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Organisation

Attendance records and observation show that adult-to-child ratios are effectively maintained. All documents and records required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available, well kept and up to date. The childminder has high regard for the well-being of all children and they receive appropriate 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

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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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

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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): • ensure that first aid items are stored in a suitable waterproof container and that cleaning fluids in the kitchen are inaccessible to children.

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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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