Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY275723 Unique Reference Number 08 October 2007 Inspection date Elaine Marie McDonnell Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since November 2003. She lives with her husband, grown up daughter and six year daughter in the Roseworth area of Stockton-on-Tees. 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, with the conservatory being the main area used by children. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family has a cat, which minded children have supervised access to.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for up to five children under eight years at any one time. There are currently five children on roll, aged from two to six years, half of the children are cared for on a full-time basis.

p.2

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 learning to understand about simple,

p.2

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 good hygiene practices, such as hand washing, as this is promoted throughout the daily routine. Written procedures are in place to protect children’s overall health, for example, illness, accident and medication procedures. Accident and medication records are in place, however, medication records are not always fully completed.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. The childminder provides a range of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. She finds out about children's individual dietary requirements or family preferences from parents. Snack time is observed to be a sociable occasion with children helping to cut up their fruit.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have appropriate opportunities to enjoy physical activity. For example, when walking to and from school, when playing in the garden, and when using physical play equipment indoors, such as skittles and soft balls. Children also rest and sleep according to their needs and individual routines.

p.3

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, a suitable first aid box, fire blanket and smoke alarms are available. The premises and rear garden are kept secure and the childminder has a written risk assessment procedure in place. Children are always supervised when playing in the garden and the childminder ensures that the ivy is kept cut back.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The environment is warm and welcoming for children with a suitable range of toys readily available for them in the conservatory, plus some outdoor toys. They have easy access to play materials. The childminder ensures that resources remain safe and suitable for use by providing items suitable for children's age groups and by ensuring that resources are not damaged. Children learn to keep themselves safe when involved in regular fire drills.

p.3

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 has relevant documentation and contact numbers readily available.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are involved in a good range of activities and outings that cover all areas of development. For example, they participate in various craft activities, including cutting and gluing, they help to cut up fruit at snack time and enjoy using play dough and utensils. Children also visit the library and local social and craft groups with the childminder on a regular basis.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop confidence and self-esteem well when being praised and encouraged by the childminder for their efforts, for example, when saying please and thank you. They show a lot of interest in what they do and enjoy the activities and resources available. They respond to challenge and concentrate well when participating in gluing and play dough activities. Children have opportunities to be independent and use their initiative, such as when deciding what to play with and what fruit they would like to eat. They are acquiring new skills and knowledge with support from the childminder, for example, they discuss the different sounds that animals make and learn to name different shapes.

p.3

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 good opportunities to learn about wider society and begin to appreciate their own culture and the cultural traditions of others. For example, they learn about other cultural celebrations, such as Chinese New Year. They also participate in activities relating to their own cultural background, such as Harvest Festival, Lent and Christmas.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Equal opportunities are well promoted as all children are included and involved, their individual needs are being met. There are currently no children with any learning difficulties or disabilities attending the setting, however, the childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for children with additional needs.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy being with the childminder and enjoy the activities available, they are settled and happy and children make positive relationships with adults and peers. Children are generally well behaved. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to manage behaviour appropriately and promote a positive environment.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works well in partnership with parents and carers. They are kept informed of their child’s development and progress through regular discussions. Parents receive good written information about the provision in the form of policy and procedure documents. Appropriate consent forms from parents are available and contract agreements are in place.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder ensures that adults caring for children are suitable to do so as all adults in the household have complied with vetting procedures. She has a very positive attitude towards personal development and has undertaken additional training since the last inspection, for example, safeguarding children, food hygiene, 'Birth to three matters', introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage and first aid. The childminder is also currently doing a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3.

p.4

Organisation

All documents and records required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available, including many good practice records, such as policies and procedures. Attendance records and observation show that adult to child ratios are maintained. Attendance registers are kept up to date and accurate.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder has high regard for the well-being of all children and they receive very good adult support and attention. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that the attendance register is maintained daily. She was also asked to obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children and to request written permission for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The organisation of the provision and partnership with parents has improved as these recommendations have been fully addressed.

p.4

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

p.4

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 medication records are fully completed and contain all relevant information.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5