Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY281325 Unique Reference Number 23 January 2008 Inspection date Lynne Pope 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and 10 years in South Shields. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed yard available for outside play.

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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 minding two children over five years before and after school. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local library and park. The family has a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 well presented, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They follow a routine of washing their hands when they arrive from

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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 being picked up at school and before meals. Relevant records are in place for accidents and the administration of medication to protect children. However, consent has not been sought from parents and carers to seek emergency medical treatment or advice.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a high awareness of special dietary requirements through consultation with parents. Children learn and benefit from a healthy diet. They are consulted about what meals they would like the following day or week. Discussions have helped them to understand what healthy options are such as baked potatoes and chicken dinners. They enjoy the sociable occasion of sitting together at the table chatting to each other. They access drinks of water freely from the drinks dispenser in the kitchen and say it is their 'favourite drink'.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from physical activities which help them to learn control of their bodies. They move freely enabling them to explore the childminding environment. A variety of equipment is available in the back yard where they learn large motor skills. They enjoy walks after school to the park. The result is children develop a positive attitude towards exercise. They are able to rest or be active according to their needs.

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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 secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment. The home is made welcoming with a broad range of safe resources, stored so that children can select their own activities, therefore developing their independence. Good quality craft resources promote children's imagination as they draw glittery pictures of dolphins, mermaids and cars. Their art work is displayed in the kitchen which gives them ownership of the environment. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to make sure they are safe, stimulating and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder identifies and minimises risks around the home. This means that children are able to move around safely and freely. Children are kept safe on outings through the procedures the childminder has in place. Their awareness is raised of how to keep themselves safe as they recall they should sit properly on the chair so that they do not fall.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected by the childminder who is confident and secure in her knowledge of child protection policies and procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and very secure in the stable environment, enjoying an excellent relationship between themselves and the childminder. The childminder uses good procedures to find out about what children can do through a staged introduction to herself and her home. Children experience a good mixture of activities that contributes to their development both inside and outside the home. The childminder consults them in advance about what activities they would like to do. For example, children have chosen to do craft today and play dough tomorrow. They are eager to get started on the craft activity and spend concentrated effort as they select from the stimulating resources and develop their ideas. The childminder sits with children and assists in their development as she helps to sound out words and writes them down for them to copy.

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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. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities to promote a positive view of the wider world, increasing children's understanding of others. Positive reflections are available in resources such as culture and disability. They learn about the local environment as they walk to and from school and have outings to the park. An excellent relationship is developed between the childminder and children. They are encouraged to share resources with each other, consistent boundaries are set and good behaviour encouraged through good use of praise, with the result that children learn to manage their own behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A strong relationship has been developed with parents and carers. They fill in a detailed form about their child's routines, likes and dislikes before they start. This information and settling in visits help children to settle really well. Parents receive daily feedback on their child's progress as they pick them up. Parents and carers stated they were very happy with the standard of care that their child receives.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides. Children's care is enhanced by good organisation. The childminder plans ahead possible activities with the children which are flexible based on their needs. Good daily routines allow them to experience a range of exciting activities in the home and wider community. They feel at home and at ease in the well organised environment. They self select resources with ease, from a broad range. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning as well as being well supported by the childminder.

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Organisation

All necessary records are in place. However, the record of attendance has not been completed for this week and there is no consent in place to seek emergency medical treatment or advice. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection one recommendation was raised. The childminder has ensured that a first aid course was completed which expires later this year. A renewal course has been booked ensuring that she remains qualified.

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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 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): • ensure that parents and carers give their consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice. • ensure that the children's record of attendance is kept accurate and up to date.

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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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