Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY270135 Unique Reference Number 09 November 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 has been registered since November 2003. She lives with her ten-year-old daughter in the Roseworth area of Stockton. The home is situated close to local amenities, including schools and shops. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding purposes, plus the bathroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family has a pet rabbit 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 are currently four children on roll, aged from two to 10 years. All are cared for on a part-time basis, with some children being looked after on a weekend.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows appropriate hygiene procedures to ensure that the home and equipment are kept clean. Children are beginning to learn about simple good hygiene practices, such as hand washing, as these are 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 procedures are in place to protect children’s overall health, for example, a sick child policy which parents sign and receive a copy of. Basic accident records are kept but do not contain all relevant information. The childminder has not requested written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are appropriately nourished. The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of how to promote healthy eating. She provides meals for some children and some bring their own. The childminder finds out about children's individual dietary requirements or family preferences from parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have appropriate opportunities to enjoy physical activity outdoors. They visit soft play areas and the park, and also play in the garden. There are limited opportunities for children to participate in any physical activity indoors; ways of doing this safely were discussed during the inspection. Children rest and sleep according to their needs and individual routines.

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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 safe environment. For example, a suitable first aid box, fire blanket and smoke alarms are available and the premises and rear garden are kept secure. Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that children are kept safe when playing outdoors and when on outings, for example, they learn about road safety through discussions with the childminder. Children also learn to keep themselves safe when involved in fire drills, which are conducted twice a year. The childminder does not use her car for minding purposes.

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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 some activities set out in the lounge. Children have easy access to other toys which they get from the dining area of the kitchen. The childminder ensures that resources are safe and suitable for use with regular checking routines. The home is in a satisfactory state of repair, the bathroom is in the process of being refurbished and other areas of the house are being decorated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are satisfactorily protected, the childminder understands her role in relation to child protection issues but is unclear about local procedures. She is also unaware of the government booklet 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are involved in a basic range of activities that covers most areas of development, for example, role play with dolls plus a range of animals, building with wooden bricks and listening to stories read by the childminder. They also play in the rear garden, visit the local park to feed the ducks and visit pantomimes at Christmas time. Children are beginning to acquire new knowledge with support from the childminder, such as learning to name different colours.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop confidence and self-esteem when being praised for their efforts by the childminder, for example, when helping to tidy the toys away. They show interest in what they do and enjoy some of the activities available. Children have access to some resources which reflect wider society, such as books. They have some opportunities to learn about their own cultural traditions but there are limited opportunities for children to begin to learn about wider society, other cultural beliefs and celebrations, and diversity.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of how to promote equal opportunities and ensure that all children are included and involved. 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.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy being with the childminder and enjoy some of the activities available. They are settled and happy and make positive relationships with adults. The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of how to manage behaviour appropriately.

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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. Parents sign and receive a copy of the childminder's policy and procedure documents. Some consent forms from parents are available and contract agreements are in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder completed an appropriate childminding course and has complied with vetting procedures. She has not undertaken any training since the last inspection other than to recently update her first aid qualification.

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Organisation

Most documents and records required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available. Attendance records are completed when children arrive and leave and show that adult to child ratios are maintained.

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Organisation

The childminder has high regard for the well-being of all 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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that the daily attendance record is kept up to date. The organisation of the provision has improved as this recommendation has been addressed.

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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): • extend accident records to ensure they contain all relevant information • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • increase knowledge and understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and of the government booklet relating to child protection • plan a more varied range of activities for children and include play experiences which help them to become aware of wider society and 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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