Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY271283 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 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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her partner and their child, aged six years, in Seaham close to the town centre. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There are public transport routes, schools, pre-schools, parks and local amenities nearby.

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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. Currently two children are on role. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has received support from Sure Start, County Durham and is member of the local childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has appropriate hygiene routines in place to protect and promote children's health. For example, she washes her hands before and after nappy changing, before preparing

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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 meals and children are encouraged to wash hands after toileting. However, they do not always wash their hands before meals. There are good, clear policies and procedures in place for the administration of medication and recording of accidents. Parents sign to acknowledge entry, keeping them informed at all times. There is a sick children policy in place to protect children's overall health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of healthy eating and she works with parents to ensure children's individual dietary needs are met. The childminder ensures children receive a varied and nutritious diet and have access to drinks throughout the day. For example, after lunch children enjoy eating bananas, raisins and oranges as a healthy dessert.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a varied range of activities which contribute to their good health. They walk daily to the local school and park and have fun in the fully enclosed garden.

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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, the premises are kept secure and suitable safety equipment is in place. A detailed written fire procedure is also in place and children learn to keep themselves safe when involved in regular fire drills. Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that children are kept safe when playing outdoors and when on outings, for example, they are constantly supervised and discuss road safety issues.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming homely environment where risks are identified and minimised. The childminder also has public liability insurance in place. Therefore, children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. They have easy access to a good range of toys and resources, which the childminder ensures are safe and suitable for use with regular checking routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected. The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities with regard to child protection. All required procedures and documentation are in place and in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. The childminder spends time interacting with the children frequently throughout the day and relationships between the childminder and the children are good. This develops children's sense of security and belonging.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a wide range of activities which take into account children's interests and stage of development. For example, children enjoy dressing up as princesses, threading large buttons and playing with the train set. Children have fun making music with a range of musical instruments and enjoy taking part in a variety of craft and painting activities. They are also involved in a range of outings that promote their learning and development, such as visits to the farm, parks and soft play area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is beginning to keep a record of children's achievements in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Children regularly attend local toddler groups which helps to develop their social skills.

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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. All children are treated with equal concern and the childminder ensures that children's individual needs are met. There is a range of resources to promote diversity. However, the range is very limited, which does not fully develop children's awareness of a diverse society. There are currently no children with learning difficulties or disabilities attending the setting. However, the childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for children with additional needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well as the childminder helps them to negotiate and take responsibility for their own behaviour. The childminder is a positive role model and encourages the children to share and care for one another. For example, with the childminder's support the children take it in turns to thread with the large buttons. Therefore they learn to work harmoniously together and develop respect for each other

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good partnership with parents to help promote children's well being. Parents are kept informed of their child's development and progress through discussions. Consent forms from parents are available and contract agreements are in place. Parents also sign and receive a copy of the childminder's policies and procedure.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and settled with the childminder and in the environment. All adults living in the household have been appropriately vetted, keeping children safe. Children's attendance is recorded each day and adult to child ratios are maintained. This ensures children receive good adult support and attention.

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Organisation

All documents and records required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available, well kept and up to date. There are also many good practice records available, such as policy and procedure documents, which support the good organisation of the provision. The childminder has a positive attitude to personal training. She currently has a level 3 qualification in childminding practice and is soon to start a level 3 qualification in home based childcare. She has also completed an appropriate first aid course, keeping children safe in the event of minor accidents.

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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 ensure public liability insurance was obtained before minded children where present and ensure practices comply with requirements of Durham County Council Area Child Protection Committee procedures. The childminder has public liability insurance in place and all required procedures and documentation are in place for safeguarding children and in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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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

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): • make sure good hygiene practices are in place regarding consistent hand washing before eating • further develop activities and resources that promote 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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