Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY280241 Unique Reference Number 03 December 2007 Inspection date Pauline Pinnegar 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 February 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and five years in a house in the west end of Darlington. The whole of the ground floor, two bedrooms and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's home are used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family has two pet guinea pigs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for seven children aged from one year to six years old. Children attend on a part time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming home. The childminder makes sure she complies with any specific requirements for children's care so that their health needs are met. Children's

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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 health is given priority and they are effectively taken care of if they become ill or have an accident because the childminder follows clear procedures. For example, her own effective hygiene practices contribute to children's good health. Children are protected from the risk of cross-infection because the childminder encourages them to use their own paper towel or a suitable disposable wipe. Children wash their hands throughout their daily routines, supported with explanations about why they must do this to remove the germs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works closely with parents to negotiate appropriate arrangements for meals and drinks. Children's individual dietary needs are met by healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. The childminder talks with children about healthy choices at mealtimes. Snacks include healthy options, such as fruit and rice cakes. Children sometimes help to prepare food for meals, for instance, fruit salads, and baking sessions. Everyone sits together at the big table at mealtimes which are relaxed and sociable.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy lots of activities and outings in the fresh air. The childminder encourages daily exercise, as she walks with the children to the local shops and to and from school. This helps to promote a healthy lifestyle. Children use a range of large play equipment when they visit the local parks. They also enjoy playing in the garden with wheeled toys, and playing on the trampoline. Games of football are a favourite with everyone and they enjoy rolling and catching the balls and kicking balls into the football net. Younger children also access local soft play facilities and toddler groups within the local community. The childminder plans suitable activities to develop their abilities and encourages them to try out new skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and very child friendly home. The childminder organises space and resources to meet children's needs and actively encourages children's independence. She places high priority on safe supervision and assesses risks effectively to promote children's safety and enjoyment. For example, gates are kept locked and stair gates are used appropriately. The childminder actively promotes children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe as they discuss road safety when out walking. Children are well supervised, both indoors and outdoors, to ensure their safety at all times. They are kept safe on outings because the childminder makes sure that they are securely strapped into a pushchair. Babies are given opportunities to practise what they can do, such as crawling and walking in safe surroundings. Children are safely transported in a car in appropriate car seats. The childminder has a well

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

considered plan for safe evacuation in an emergency and she practises this regularly with children to raise their awareness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder works directly with the children and is vigilant as they play and this keeps them safe. For example, children are closely supervised as the childminder is always down on the floor with them. Children thrive in the warm environment. Many activities take place in the dining room, where children access safe toys and equipment. The childminder constantly develops the resources to provide variety. All are kept clean, are in excellent condition and presented invitingly to children at floor level. This successfully promotes children's developing independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a clear understanding of her role in child protection. All the relevant information is in place allowing her to report concerns promptly. She feels able to put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary. Her sensitive awareness of children's needs and feelings helps her to ensure children are effectively protected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder organises the environment so that children can freely access a wide range of activities and resources, allowing them to plan much of their own play. She feels it is important to find out what children enjoy and can do, so that they can plan play experiences together which reflect their interests. She has a simple, very flexible, planning system, which enables her to introduce variety and new stimulus into children's play. The childminder offers opportunities for children to enjoy exploratory play, like creative activities, painting, play dough, and cornflour. She has a good understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework which enhances the play experiences of younger children further. Children form positive relationships and respond enthusiastically to the caring and affectionate approach adopted by the childminder. Younger children receive plenty of cuddles which ensure they feel secure and gain reassurance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children display very high levels of confidence, they are clearly happy, content and communicate freely and easily. Children enjoy many interesting activities using a wide range of stimulating resources which support and challenge their development. Written planning and records of children's achievements are shared with parents in daily diaries and individual scrapbooks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder ensures children have a good variety of educational opportunities both inside the home and in a variety of other settings. They enjoy visits to the library, toddler groups and soft play leisure facilities. This promotes their social skills well. In school holidays children enjoy interesting visits to railway museums and farms. Toddlers develop their favourite activities, such as playing with the dolls, using their imagination well, feeding and caring for the dolls. They also enjoy pretending to prepare 'tea' with the tea-set.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder knows the children well and she uses regular daily routines that take account of their needs, such as mealtimes, and rest-times. She interacts positively with the children, giving them support, comfort and reassurance. As a result, they are developing a sound sense of trust and security. Children have good relationships with the childminder; they are settled and happy in the friendly atmosphere created in the childminder's home. Young children gain in personal confidence through the high levels of attention they receive and the support given throughout the day. Children's routines and care have been established with parents which are consistent with home; this promotes children's sense of security and develops their confidence. Children's individual needs are met well because the childminder recognises and responds appropriately to their voices and gestures. For example, she knows the signs that they are ready

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder works in very close partnership with parents. Children feel valued because the childminder puts considerable care into meeting their individual needs and takes time to speak regularly with parents. She encourages parents to spend time with her, getting to know each other, as they settle their child. She uses written diaries very effectively to exchange information with parents each day, as well as daily verbal feedback. This strongly fosters children's sense of belonging. She talks with parents about her childcare practice and a portfolio of information about the setting and qualifications is available for them to read. Parents also access detailed written policies and procedures. The childminder actively encourages parents to share any concerns and deals with these with sensitivity and in confidence. She is familiar with current guidance about dealing with complaints. Although the childminder has not received any

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 complaints, she has not yet established a recording system. The written complaints procedure for parents does not include the full contact details for Ofsted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved as they play cooperatively and harmoniously together. They benefit from a calm and supportive approach and learn right from wrong through careful explanation and consistency. Praise and support helps them start to develop self-esteem. Children understand responsible behaviour because of the simple clear rules, such as sharing and being kind. The written behaviour policy is shared with parents so consistency is promoted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures that children are developing their awareness of other people and the world around them, by providing them with books, resources and activities that show positive images of disability and the diversity of society. She introduces some activities to help children learn more about different lifestyles, for example, how festivals are celebrated in other cultures and religions. Children have celebrated Divali, Hanukah, and are currently involved in activities relating to Advent. They are beginning to explore different languages and practice saying 'hello' in French, Arabic, and Bengali. They make their own decisions as they decide what they will play with, they confidently choose activities and get out resources to support their play. The children's understanding of the local community and environment is growing because the childminder takes them out in the local area to socialise with other children. For example, they

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Helping children make a positive contribution

go to toddler groups, local parks and shops. The childminder has no experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities, but can demonstrate how she would care for all children in a caring and professional manner.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children enjoy a well organised environment, where their individual needs are met effectively by flexible and responsive routines based on information from parents. The childminder accesses a wide range of training and development opportunities, which contribute to her ability to plan enjoyable experiences for children, to enhance their learning and development. She introduces children to a wide and varied range of activities and provides opportunities for them to make choices in their play.

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Organisation

A good standard of clear written policies, procedures and record keeping, work in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. All of the documentation is readily available for inspection. However, the record of children's attendance is not completed as children arrive and depart which does not maintain accuracy. The childminder understands requirements with regard to reaching agreements with parents, so that their wishes are clearly understood. The childminder shares information very effectively on a daily basis with parents about children's activities and care needs. She has appropriate arrangements for back-up care in an emergency with other childminders, which she has agreed with parents.

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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 that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. Children now access a good range of both activities and resources which effectively promote diversity.

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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.

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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 complaint 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 a clear system for the recording of complaints, and ensure all contact details are included in the written complaints policy • develop the system for recording children's attendance on arrival and departure.

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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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