Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY291668 Unique Reference Number 27 May 2008 Inspection date Josephine Ann Northend 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 August 2004. She lives with her two children, who are aged 19 and 13 years, in the Eston area of Middlesbrough. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding purposes, plus the bathroom on the first floor. There is also an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. There are currently six children under eight years on roll. All of the minded children attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a varied range of activities which contributes to their good health. Their physical development is supported well with regular opportunities to play outside in the fully enclosed

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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 garden. There is a good range of resources including wheeled toys and a ball pool to support children's physical skills. They also enjoy regular visits to local amenities, including playgroups and parks. Children are able to rest and be active according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has an up-to-date first aid certificate and appropriate procedures are in place regarding sick children, medication and accidents. Children learn the importance of good hygiene through daily routines. They are encouraged to wash their hands regularly before meals and the toilet area is resourced well.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished; they receive a balance across the food groups within the day, including fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder actively promotes healthy eating and she works with parents to ensure children's individual dietary needs are met. Many meals are home cooked; this means the childminder is aware of what they contain. Children have access to drinks throughout the day.

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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 child-orientated and friendly home where risks are identified and minimised, for example, the premises are secure and children cannot leave them unsupervised. Children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder promotes safety with the children as they learn about road safety and not to throw toys inside. Emergency evacuation procedures have been practised and recommended safety equipment is in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Furniture, equipment and toys, which are of good quality and in a safe, well maintained condition, are provided to promote children's development and welfare. Toys and resources are stored so that children can reach them easily, make choices and develop their independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has the required procedures and documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded. They are well protected as the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities with regards to child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled with the childminder, and have close and caring relationships with her. Children learn to be increasingly independent as a result of the of support, praise and encouragement given to them. Communication skills are well supported through good adult-child interactions. The childminder is very interested in what the children have to say and she extends the children's thoughts and ideas through meaningful conversations. This contributes to the children's sense of belonging.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates good understanding of how children learn and she is very aware of the children's developmental stages. An interesting range of activities is planned and undertaken, which takes into account children's individual interests. The childminder makes good use of the local amenities to further enhance children's experiences, for example, playgroups and parks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities and play opportunities are purposeful and developmentally appropriate, resulting in children acquiring new skills and knowledge. The children receive good support from the

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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 childminder and they are involved in a wide range of activities that promote learning. The childminder is developing systems to observe and evaluate children’s learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about the local and wider society through the good range of resources and activities provided by the childminder. These include visits in the local community. The childminder promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice as she ensures all children are fully involved in the life of the setting; this means they feel valued and free from discrimination. The childminder has a very positive attitude towards caring for all children, including those with physical disabilities or learning difficulties.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses her experience well to provide a positive atmosphere in which children can feel relaxed and secure. This means children behave well. The childminder helps them to negotiate and take responsibility for their own behaviour by supporting them, being a positive role model and encouraging the children to share and care for one another.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has developed with their parents. Letters from parents are very complimentary, they describe how their children settle very well, and are happy and involved in wide ranging activities. Some information is displayed for parents' attention and verbal information is shared each day. This enables the childminder to meet each child's individual needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are settled with the childminder and in the environment. This means that they are happy in their play. Space is used well to cater for the children's play needs. They are able to move around confidently. Adult-child ratios are maintained with good organisation of time to allow children one-to-one attention and meet individual needs.

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Organisation

The childminder has a positive attitude to training. All required records are in place and are maintained well. This means the care of children is promoted. Some policies and procedures are in place to support practice, however, these are not yet fully developed. 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 two action were raised in relation to National Standard 7: Health, and National Standard 1: Suitable person. The childminder has now obtained consent from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and has completed an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children. This means children's health and welfare are safeguarded.

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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

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 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop policies and procedures to support good practice.

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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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