Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY266104 Unique Reference Number 15 November 2007 Inspection date Vivienne Dempsey 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 January 2004. She lives with her husband and their two children, aged nine and five years, in a house in Murton. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. In the local area, there are schools and preschool facilities, nursery and toddler group. Other amenities nearby include a library, park, community centre and shops.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding five children under eights who attend on a part time basis. She walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a level 3 diploma in early years and 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 satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows some appropriate health and hygiene procedures to ensure that the home and equipment are kept clean. For example, surfaces and toys are washed regularly and children are beginning to understand some personal hygiene routines. However, these are not fully promoted as children do not always wash their hands before snack. Appropriate written procedures are in place to help protect children's overall health, for example, the exclusion of sick children. Accident and medication records are also available. However, parents do not always sign to acknowledge administration of medication, which does not fully protect children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to enjoy physical activity they walk to school and visit local parks on a daily basis. Children are appropriately nourished and drinks are freely available. They enjoy eating dried cranberries at snack time. A first aid box is in place, however it is not regularly checked, This has the potential to hinder the childminder from acting promptly when children suffer minor accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Good steps are taken to ensure that children are cared for in a safe environment. For example, the premises are kept secure, potentially hazardous materials are inaccessible to the children and suitable safety equipment is in place. A written fire procedure is also in place and children learn to keep themselves safe when involved in regular fire drills. However, a record of fire drills is not maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are welcoming and friendly for the children, with a good range of toys and craft materials readily available. Children have easy access to resources and the childminder ensures that these are safe and suitable for use with regular checking routines. Children are well protected as the childminder understands her role in relation to child protection issues and is able to put local procedures into practice when necessary. She has also attended relevant training in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are involved in a suitable range of activities that cover all areas of development. For example, they enjoy sharing books with the childminder about emergency vehicles and diggers, taking part in craft activities and playing with a till. The childminder is a member of the local toy library which she uses regularly to provide children with a varied range of resources. Children have opportunities to be independent and use their initiative when deciding what they want to play with. Resources are organised so they are readily accessible to support children's play and learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder and children regularly attend the local toddler and childminding groups, which helps develop children's social skills. They enjoy walking to the local building site to watch the diggers and trucks which, helps stimulate children's individual interests. The childminder is aware of children's individual learning and development needs. For example, she works with

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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 parents to ensure she provides activities appropriate to their children's stage of development, such as colour matching games and number activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Equal opportunities are well promoted as all children are included and involved. The childminder welcomes children with learning difficulties and disabilities and works closely with parents to ensure she meets their individual needs. Children are well behaved and the childminder promotes this by promoting a positive friendly environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have access to a limited range of resources that promote diversity and the wider world. However, they enjoy celebrating a range of festivals throughout the year. For example, Diwali and Chinese New Year.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good partnership with parents. Parents are kept informed of their child's routines and development through regular discussions and daily diaries. 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 all adults living in the household have been appropriately vetted. She has a positive attitude towards her personal development. For example, she has a relevant level 3 qualification and is starting a level 3 qualification in home based childcare. She also attends regular training to enhance her knowledge and practice, such as behaviour management and working with parents.

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Organisation

Attendance and observation indicate that adult to child ratios are maintained. Registers are kept up-to-date and accurate. All documents are available for inspection and the childminder is aware to report any significant events or changes to the regulator.

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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 was asked to make sure that potentially hazardous materials were inaccessible to the children. She was also asked to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or consenting to treatment. The childminder has ensured that potentially hazardous materials are inaccessible to the children and written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or consenting to treatment is now in place.

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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.

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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): • review the arrangements for children's hand washing to minimise the spread of infection, ensure parents acknowledge administration of medication and ensure first aid box is regularly checked and updated • record the emergency evacuation practises to highlight any potential problems which may be encountered when carried out with the children • extend the range of toys and resources to promote positive images of diversity and understanding of the wider world.

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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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