Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY221670 Unique Reference Number 19 December 2007 Inspection date Andrea, Jane Lockyer 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 2002. She lives with her husband and three children in a three bedroom house in the Whitley Bay area of North Tyneside. Local amenities and public transport systems are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor area is used for childminding purposes; access to the first floor is restricted to the use of the bathroom. There is a safe and enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family has a pet kitten. The childminder is currently caring for three children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the Nation Childminding Association and receives support and training opportunities form the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day there are outdoor or indoor activities which help them develop increasing control of their bodies. For example, they take daily walks to local shops and parks, go to soft play and toddler groups,

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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 play games in the garden using a variety of equipment, such as scooters, balls, skipping ropes, tents and tunnels, and join in with music and movement sessions in the home.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder maintains a good standard of hygiene throughout the home environment, which means that children's health is promoted well. Children are developing a good understanding of hygiene and personal care through the good practices followed by the childminder and by being involved in activities, such as helping to wash toys and sweep the floor. They are able to help themselves to tissues and wipes and learn the importance of oral hygiene by cleaning their teeth after meals. They follow good daily routines for hand washing before eating and after using the toilet which prevent the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing a good understanding of the benefits of a healthy diet. They are encouraged to try a variety of different tastes and textures, such as fresh fruit, vegetables and dried fruit at snack time, and help themselves to easily accessible drinks throughout the day. Children enjoy helping to buy fresh produce from the local shops and helping to prepare fresh fruit. Good discussions with parents and comprehensive records ensure that children are provided with a healthy nutritious diet, which takes account of their individual dietary needs and parental wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a safe home where the risks are identified and minimised. This enables them to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder achieves a good balance between freedom and setting safe limits. This allows children to learn a sense of danger and knowledge about how to protect themselves from harm, for example, as they cross roads, play on the beach and use large outdoor play equipment. Gentle reminders from the childminder to pick up toys so as not to fall over them, dressing up as fire-fighters, and looking at books about safety in the home and road safety also help to increase children's awareness of safety throughout their daily routine.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a good range of quality toys and equipment which meet safety standards. The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted, however, she lacks clarity of the procedures to follow if an allegation is made against herself or other members of the household.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's home. They are confident and happy. They achieve well because the childminder has a clear understanding of their developmental stages. She plans imaginative and stimulating activities with the children, which are purposeful and developmentally appropriate. All children access a broad range of experiences, that promote and enhance their individual development and learning skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They relate very well to each other and socialise with other children through visits to local amenities. They enjoy a wide variety of activities which contribute to their imaginative, physical, creative, mathematical and language skills, such as singing and dancing, role play, construction, drawing and model making, and listening to stories. Close and caring relationships increase children's sense of trust and help them to develop a strong sense of self.

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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. Children are developing a positive attitude towards others and gaining an understanding about the wider world. They are able to access a good range of resources that show positive images of race, gender and culture, however, there are limited resources that reflect positive images of people with disabilities. They have good opportunities to learn about their local community as they visit parks, shops, the coast, and go on local walks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has realistic expectations of children's behaviour. She implements a range of good strategies to promote positive behaviour that help children understand right from wrong. Children respond positively to the childminder's praise and encouragement, for example, they willingly help to tidy up, share toys and show care and concern for one another. They behave very well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationships between the childminder and parents. The childminder has in-depth discussions with parents and maintains comprehensive records to ensure children's needs are met. Parents are provided with an information pack which provides them with good information about the setting, policies, procedures and the care, welfare and learning of their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The well organised environment and good daily routines ensure that children are happy and well settled. Good opportunities are made for free play, social interaction, resting, eating and going out. This means that children are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. A good daily register confirms the required ratios are maintained, however, the register of attendance does not clearly indicate when children are not in the direct care of the childminder, for example, when they are at nursery. The childminding day is organised well, which results in children receiving good levels of support and their needs being met. The childminder has a positive attitude to extended training to further her skills to benefit children.

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Organisation

All records, documentation, policies and procedures are effectively implemented and shared with parents, which contributes to continuity in the children's care, and ensures that their individual needs are met.

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Organisation

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 agreed to: provide a sick children policy to include procedures for contacting parents, collecting children and excluding ill/infectious children; request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical treatment; and to include within the child protection policy the guidelines in 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused – Summary'. Children's health and safety has been improved because the childminder has a comprehensive 'care of sick children' policy; she has obtained written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment; and her 'child protection' policy is in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines.

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Improvements 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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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): • develop knowledge and understanding of the procedures to follow if an allegation of abuse is made against the childminder or others in the household • develop the range of resources to increase children's awareness of people with disabilities and learning difficulties • ensure that the attendance record clearly indicates when children are not in the direct care of the childminder.

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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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