French, Deborah

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY234888 Inspection date 15 November 2005 Inspector Carys Millican

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2002. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 14 and 18 years in Crawcrook, near Gateshead. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding except for the utility room. The bathroom is on the first floor and the box bedroom is used as a sleep room. The front and master bedrooms are excluded from childminding use. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children aged under 5 years. Children attend for a

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 variety of sessions. The childminder also looks after older children. There are schools, shops and public facilities within walking distance. The childminder attends a number of local carer and toddler groups and a childminding drop in group. The childminder takes and collects children from the local schools and nurseries. She has use of a car to take children on outings. The family has a cat and two dogs which children do not have access to. The childminder is experienced and holds an early years qualification. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and sponsored childminder for the Gateshead Council.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children begin to enjoy a range of activities, which contribute to their good health. Outdoor activities are provided to encourage physical development, for example, children play in the garden, attend soft play facilities and visit the park. Children benefit from a healthy lifestyle with activities that improve physical skills, for example, children walk to school to take and collect children. Children are happy and contented in their play. Children begin to learn the importance of appropriate hygiene practices and personal care. They wash their hands before eating snack, after toileting and after playing outdoors. Children gain independence and learn appropriate self-help skills, for example, the 4-year-old attends to his own toileting needs and is then encouraged by the childminder to dress himself afterwards. Children are protected from the risk of potential infection as the childminder takes appropriate measures by following her

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Helping children to be healthy

sick children's policy. Children begin to learn about healthy living and begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They are well nourished and provided with healthy snacks and meals. Children are offered regular drinks throughout the day. They begin to understand when they need a rest or a drink. For example the toddler helps herself to her feeder cup placed on the table in the dining room. Children’s dietary needs are well met. The childminder works well with parents, following children's individual dietary needs and parental wishes. She obtains information from parents about allergies and preferences and provides healthy and nutritious home made meals which are planned in advance. Children's individual needs are catered for. They rest and sleep according to their daily routines and the childminder works with parents obtaining information about each child to ensure continuity of care. Children's health, safety and welfare is well

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Helping children to be healthy

met by the childminders clear policies and procedures in place.

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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 The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming, safe and secure home, where risks are identified and minimised. They are able to move around safely, freely and independently. Children benefit from physical play activities in the garden and from outings to local facilities and places of interest. They are kept safe outdoors by the close supervision of the childminder and they begin to understand the importance of keeping themselves safe. For example, the childminder skilfully explains the importance of tidying up toys before getting more out by making it into a game. Although the fire evacuation procedure is in place, it has not been practiced with the children. Children are able to make choices about their play and use safe and suitable equipment. They confidently move around the play room and independently select

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

activities from the wide range of good quality toys and equipment available. These are carefully monitored and supervised by the childminder to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children’s stimulation and interest is maintained by the childminder regularly rotating the toys and resources available. Children's safety on outings is met and their welfare is safeguarded by the childminder maintaining the required documents and procedures. The childminder holds a first aid certificate and attends additional training courses to update her knowledge and skills. Children are protected because the childminder is clear about her role and responsibilities in any child protection situation and understands the importance of keeping records.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy, contented and settle easily. They are confident in their surroundings and make themselves at home. Children make positive relationships with adults and socialise with other children. They are able to make choices and decisions in their play. The needs of children of varying ages are met as the childminder provides suitable activities which take into account children's individual ability. Children are interested and their all-round development is generally promoted. The childminder is interested in what children do and say and becomes actively involved in their play. For example, the 4-year-old sits on the floor playing with the Duplo building bricks. He makes a train with the bricks as the childminder asks him about his visit to York train museum. Children benefit from a range of outdoor activities. They go for walks to the school to take and collect children and visit the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

play parks, soft play and feed the ducks close by. The childminder has an appropriate understanding of children’s development and provides suitable activities for children. However, she has not obtained the Birth to three matters pack and is unclear as to its use within the every day activities she provides for children. Children make choices and decisions in their play. They access toys set out by the childminder which are stored under the stairs and rotated regularly.

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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 Children develop sound relationships with the childminder which contributes to their sense of belonging. They settle well and play harmoniously with others. Appropriate questioning by the childminder encourages children to think about what they are doing and contributes to their overall development. The childminder interacts well with the toddler asking her to put her glasses on. She smiles and her tone of voice changes as she speaks. The toddler reacts by vocalising and smiling back at her as she puts them back on. Children receive lots of cuddles and develop a strong bond with the childminder, which increases children’s sense of well being and security. They develop their listening skills and pay attention to what others do and say. For example, the 4-year-old sits on the floor as the cuckoo clock chimes, the childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

asks him what time it is and he replies its twelve o’clock. The boy smiles as the childminder praises him for getting it correct.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concern and their individual needs are met. The childminder obtains relevant information about children’s specific needs and works closely with parents. Children are provided with a range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase their awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. The childminder encourages children to access all toys and explains to them why some people are different from themselves. Children develop a good sense of belonging and self-assurance since they form familiar, trusting, safe and secure relationships with the childminder and her family. Children are valued, comforted well and thrive on the interaction from the childminder. They learn to show particular preferences in what they do, for example, deciding what to play with and what to eat. Children settle well, they play harmoniously with adults and other children. They

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Helping children make a positive contribution

behave well and respond well to the childminder's sensitive handling of any behaviour management situations. Children feel a sense of belonging. They are made to feel very welcome at the setting and gain confidence and self-esteem as the childminder rewards achievement through positive praise. Children thrive on the interaction and attention from the childminder by having fun when playing and through the individual attention provided. They are confident to try out new ideas and make themselves at home. Children benefit from the positive working relationships developed with parents. Children's general welfare is promoted since the childminder consults closely with parents on any issues or concerns and the required documentation is maintained. Children are looked after according to parent’s wishes as individual sleep routines and daily routines are followed. Parents are informed daily about their child's routine

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and play activities; this enables the childminder to meet each child's individual needs and provide continuity of care. Parents express a high level of satisfaction with the care and service available.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care, learning and play is supported by the childminder as she gives them individual attention. Children feel at home and at ease in the bright, welcoming, well-organised environment. They are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning and are gaining independence. Children's developmental needs are generally well met as they are provided with a wide range of toys, resources and activities and opportunities to socialise with others throughout the week. Children's health, hygiene and safety is promoted. They are cared for in a warm, welcoming, safe and secure environment. Children's well being is maintained by the use of relevant documentation and from the policies and procedures in place. Their individual needs are recorded and parental consents are maintained. Children benefit from the childminder's experience and sound knowledge of child development.

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Organisation

Information is shared daily with parents to keep them informed about the service, their child's routine and activities. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection an action and two recommendations were raised. The childminder was asked to improve children's safety and well-being within the setting. This has been achieved by the childminder obtaining written permission from parents to seek medical treatment or advice in an emergency and by ensuring all visible electrical sockets are protected with socket covers. A recommendation was raised to extend the range of provision that promotes equal opportunities and diversity. The childminder has obtained additional resources and provides activities that enable children to understand the diversity of the world and the wider society they live in.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints made to Ofsted 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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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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • make sure the emergency evacuation procedure is practiced with the children • obtain the birth to three matters pack and further develop activities for the younger children in line with practice set out by using the Birth to three framework.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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