Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY288713 Unique Reference Number 15 October 2007 Inspection date Ann Coggin 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 was registered in July 2004. She lives with her husband and three children aged 17, 14 and 11 in Peterlee. The whole ground floor and the upstairs bathroom are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five all day, and four children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to the local school and nursery to take and collect children.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is effectively promoted through well established hygiene practices. They wash their hands after using the toilet, after messy play and before eating. Children who have infectious illnesses do not attend which helps to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and systems are in place for the recording of accidents.

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 Consents are in place for seeking emergency advice or treatment and for the administering of medication to children and a record of medicines administered is maintained.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children have many opportunities to have daily physical exercise as they walk to nursery and to school. They have regular walks to local play parks where they use large play equipment. They also enjoy playing in the childminder's garden with a range of small outdoor toys, such as, cars, bikes bats and balls. This helps children to understand the need for regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children help themselves to a drink whenever they need one as the childminder ensures their individual cups are within their reach. The childminder promotes healthy eating and provides children daily with a cooked main meal, which includes vegetables. Children are offered fruit at snack time as well as after lunch and particularly like oranges and raisins. The childminder takes account of and records parents' wishes and any special dietary requirements to ensure children remain healthy.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, safe environment where they have sufficient space to move around and play freely and independently. Equipment and toys are of good quality, in a safe, well maintained condition and are appropriate to the ages and stages of the children attending. Children are able to independently select their own toys and resources from boxes stored at child height in the conservatory.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has taken steps to minimise risks to children and to promote children's safety and enjoyment. Safety equipment such as socket covers, cupboard locks and a fire guard are in place. The childminder has developed an emergency evacuation plan and she has practised a fire evacuation procedure with the children to ensure they know what to do in the event of an emergency. Children are developing an awareness of how to keep themselves safe and their awareness of road safety is raised as they walk to and from school. Parental consents are in place for the childminder to transport children and take them on outings.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. She has a good understanding of her roles and responsibilities should she have a concern about a child and has the contact details of social services available. However, she does not have the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and relaxed and enjoy their time with the childminder. She is warm and affectionate towards the children, helping them feel secure and comfortable in their surroundings. The childminder has a good understanding of child development resulting in children's all round development being supported. Children respond well to her quiet, calm manner and close and caring relationships have been developed between the childminder and the children. This contributes to children's sense of trust and helps them to develop self-esteem.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make choices about toys they wish to play with from the selection that the childminder arranges for them. They are confident to approach the childminder to ask for different resources, such as the potato head game and the plastic bricks. The childminder encourages them to do

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 things for themselves but meets requests for help positively. The childminder encourages early counting skills such as counting the trains and carriages as they play and pointing out the different colours. They use their imagination well as they play together and the childminder actively involves herself in their play. The childminder is interested in the children, she talks to them and listens to their questions and answers them appropriately. There are many opportunities for children to participate in art and craft activities. For example, painting pictures, making dough and junk modelling. Children enjoy and benefit from various outings to local places of interest, such as, play parks, soft play and the beach.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder treats children with equal concern, offering them lots of praise and encouragement helping them feel good about themselves. They are made to feel welcome into the childminder's home and are valued as individuals and treated with respect. All children are given equal chances to develop, taking into account their age and stage of development. Information is obtained from parents to ensure children's individual needs are met. Visits to the park, soft play, farm and museums gives children the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and learn about their local environment and living things. The childminder helps children to begin to consider the needs and feelings of others and there are resources, such as books and dolls which raise children's awareness of other cultures and differing abilities.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder endorses positive discipline, rewarding good behaviour and setting realistic expectations. She acknowledges that all children are unique and respond differently and involves parents in devising strategies to manage children's behaviour. Her calm and consistent manner ensures children behave well.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's care is promoted through the positive relationships which have been established between the childminder and parents. She believes communication is important and parents are actively encouraged to share information. Parents are invited to visit the childminder's home with their children before they start to have short visits during the settling in period. Parents views are actively sought before the childminding arrangement commences, enabling the childminder to meet individual needs. Daily chats and telephone conversations keep parents informed about their child's welfare. A complaints procedure is in place informing parents the process to follow if they have a complaint.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The environment is organised to keep children safe and resources are stored to enable children to access them independently. Children are able to move around safely, freely and independently from room to room. The childminder ensures that there is a balance of indoor and outdoor activities, as well as suitable provision for children to rest and relax. Children receive good support from the childminder and have their individual needs met effectively. All parental agreements and consents are in place and stored securely respecting confidentiality. The childminder's registration certificate is displayed. The childminder keeps a record of children's arrival and departure times. However, times are not always accurately recorded.

p.4

Organisation

There are effective systems in place for the sharing of information with parents contributing to their children's continuity of care.

p.4

Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the provider was asked to improve fire safety precautions by providing a smoke alarm at all levels of the house and make sure that children are safe in the event of a fire. She was also asked to increase the provision of resources to reflect equal opportunities issues. The childminder has fitted smoke alarms to all level of her home and regularly checks they are in working order and a fire guard is in place ensuring children's safety at all times. The childminder has purchased resources which reflect positive images of society.

p.5

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 children's arrival and departure times are accurately recorded • obtain a copy of the Local safeguarding Children Board guidance.

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