Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY286238 Unique Reference Number 06 December 2007 Inspection date Ann Coggin 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 has been registered since May 2004. She lives with her husband in the Low Grange area of Billingham. All of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for four children at any one time and is currently caring for one child under five years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Billingham and Norton Childminding support group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder provides many opportunities for physical play and development within the garden and through the daily walks around the area. There are many varied types of equipment

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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 in the garden to encourage pedalling, climbing and jumping and visits to the local park allow children the freedom of running and playing football, contributing to their good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their health needs met well. The childminder ensures her home is clean and has implemented clear and effective hygiene routines to protect and promote children's health. For example, the highchair and table are wiped with antibacterial spray after each use. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene from an early age through well-planned daily routines. They know that they must wash their hands after toileting and before eating to prevent germs getting into their tummy. Good procedures followed by the childminder result in children being protected from illness and the spread of infection. Systems are in place for addressing children's health needs and the effective use of the written sick children policy and the recording of accidents and medication ensure children's health and well-being. Children are well protected in the event of an accident as the childminder has completed an appropriate

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Helping children to be healthy

first aid course and carries a first aid box with her on outings.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a balanced diet by the childminder. They are offered healthy and nutritious snacks, and enjoy fresh fruit each day. Children have their dietary needs met well because the childminder uses information from parents to ensure special requirements and likes and dislikes are taken into account. Children are given a choice of water, fruit juice or milk at snack time and water is available throughout the day for children to help themselves.

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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 child-friendly environment. Children independently access a good variety of toys and resources which are of good quality, well maintained and age appropriate. The childminder checks toys regularly to ensure they are safe and clean for children to play with. Smaller items are stored out of reach of younger children to ensure they can play safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder carries out an informal daily check of her home to ensure children remain safe. Effective use of safety items, such as a stair gate, socket covers and door catches, ensures that risks to children are minimised. The childminder supervises children well, ensuring they remain in her sight or hearing at all times. There are clear procedures for outings that ensure the children’s safety. For example, the childminder obtains written permission from parents to take children out and transport them in a vehicle and provides appropriate age and weight car seats when travelling in the car. Children are learning to keep themselves safe both indoors and outside the childminder's home. They practise regular emergency evacuation procedures and they learn about road safety and 'stranger danger'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of child protection and has recently undergone training. She provides parents with a written child protection statement which details her duty to report any concerns about children in her care and any allegations made against her or members of her family. She is aware of the signs and symptoms to alert her to concerns about the children, and holds documentation to refer to for guidance. This includes a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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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 provides a child-friendly environment in which children feel relaxed and confident. They are happy and settled in the childminder's care, play comfortably alongside each other and show interest and pleasure in the toys available to them. They confidently express personal preferences, make requests for creative resources and are able to easily self-select other toys from the range accessible to them. The childminder's clear knowledge of young children’s development and of their individual needs means she is effective in providing appropriate learning opportunities to help them make good progress in all areas. For example, she encourages children to recognise colours and count the crayons and constantly talks to them, helping them to begin to develop their mathematical and language skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is warm and affectionate, making children feel comfortable and valued. She has good relationships with the children, enjoys their company and knows them well. She spends a lot of time talking and playing with them; consequently, children have effective support. She interacts well with children at their level, supports their development and clearly enjoys spending time with them. This ensures children's well-being is paramount at all time.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder. Their artwork is displayed all over her home and children proudly talk about the pictures they have made. This helps them to develop self-confidence and feel good about themselves and their achievements. The childminder take effective steps to engage the children and encourage them to have fun and learn. She uses good questioning techniques to encourage and extend the children’s enjoyment and learning. Children have regular opportunities to mix with other children outside the home as they attend regular toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concern and have their individual needs well met. The childminder has a written policy which is shared with parents and she ensures all children have an equal chance to learn and develop. They are encouraged to develop a sense of their own identity and taught to value and respect each other. The childminder listens to the children and values their contribution, resulting in children feeling good about themselves. Children are gaining a clear and positive view of the local community, through walks around the area and visits to Castle Eden Walkway and the ecology park where they enjoy feeding the ducks. They are developing an awareness of their own culture and that of others through celebrating festivals, such as Easter, Chinese New Year and Christmas.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a written behaviour management policy which is shared with parents and has reasonable and appropriate limits in place which are consistently adhered to. For example, children know not to climb on the furniture and to be kind to each other. Appropriate strategies are in place for managing behaviour and good behaviour is promoted and encouraged. The childminder sets a good example, such as asking children to do something rather than telling them to do it and thanking them when they tidy up. This means children feel appreciated and valued. Children are beginning to share and take turns whilst playing together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationship that has been established between parents and the childminder. Parents of babies and toddlers complete a home routine form prior to the childminding arrangement commencing to ensure their individual needs and routines are

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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 accommodated. Information regarding sleep times, meals and activities and shared with parents through individual written diaries and discussion. Children are encouraged to take their artwork and creations home. Parents' views about their children's needs are actively sought and the childminder has distributed questionnaires to parents to ensure continuity of care. Policies and procedures have been developed to reflect practice and they are shared with parents. There is a written complaints procedure in place containing Ofsted's details and a complaints log is in place; however, it does not respect confidentiality. All parental consents are in place, including consent to take photographs, make observations, play on the trampoline and apply sun cream.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a happy, stimulating, safe and well-organised environment. This means children are confident and secure in themselves and with the childminder, and can initiate and develop their own play and learning. The childminder ensures children have sufficient space to play freely, safely and independently. Children's care, learning and play experiences are continually improved because of the childminder's positive attitude towards training. For example, she has recently completed the diploma in home-based childcare. She has also attended other training such as first aid, heuristic play and 'Birth to three matters' framework. As a result, children are well cared for and they enjoy stimulating experiences.

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Organisation

Documentation is well organised and securely stored to ensure confidentiality. Children's personal and attendance records are up-to-date and written policies and procedures are in place to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Each child has their own individual folder containing contracts and parental consents. The childminder's registration certificate is clearly displayed and the childminder never exceeds her registered numbers.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure required documents are available for inspection and ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. All childminding documentation is available for inspection to ensure children's safety and well-being. Children are provided with a resources and activities which promote positive images of diversity to help children understand the world in which they live.

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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): • develop the complaints log to ensure confidentiality is maintained.

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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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