Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY320779 Unique Reference Number 03 June 2008 Inspection date Kathleen Snowdon 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 satisfactory. 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged five years and eight months in Gateshead. Her home is close to all facilities including schools and nurseries. The whole ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor 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. She is currently minding one child under five and another child over five on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to and from a local school and nursery to collect the children and she is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children enjoy appetising light meals, such as scrambled eggs or beans on toast, that offer them the nourishment they need to grow and develop. Snacks include fruit, cheese and crackers

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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 so that the children develop healthy tastes and preferences while occasional treats, a small bar of chocolate, for example, help them to form balanced views of food and eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Effective routines allow the children to establish good personal hygiene. For instance, they wash their hands before eating, after using the bathroom and after playing outdoors. Along with the appropriate arrangements that deal with sick children, this minimises the spread of infections and common illnesses.

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Helping children to be healthy

Daily walks to and from local schools and nurseries ensure that the children get plenty of fresh air to keep them refreshed and alert. As well as this, they visit the local park where they balance on beams, climb up and down frames, swing and slide. This gives the children the opportunity to practise different ways of moving and teaches them that exercise is fun.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Ample, clear floor space allows the children to walk and crawl from place to place easily and safely while effective use of safety equipment minimises accidents in the childminder's very well organised and welcoming home. For example, covers in electric sockets prevent the children from hurting their hands and locks on cupboards restrict their access to potentially harmful substances. A fire evacuation plan has been devised and practised, which teaches the children ways to stay safe in emergencies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A wide range of developmentally appropriate toys and resources is easily accessible to the children to encourage them to make choices and decisions. Items are in good condition through the ongoing checks and cleaning that the childminder carries out; this ensures that the children handle equipment that is suitable and fit for purpose.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Worthwhile conversations raise the children's awareness of danger in general. For instance, they talk about road safety and the importance of holding the childminder's hand when they are outside. Practical but effective measures keep the children safe indoors too; external doors remain locked during the hours of childminding, which, along with the childminder's sound awareness of safeguarding children issues, protects children from unsuitable people and dangerous situations.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Interesting activities keep the children motivated and involved and offer them lots of scope in which to have fun and enjoy themselves. They like to paint and draw; this allows them to express their creativity and teaches them about colour and proportion. Gluing and model making are popular activities too and provide opportunities for the children to experiment with basic design and construction.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children particularly enjoy music. They sing and dance along to popular songs like 'Twinkle Twinkle'. They use a range of musical instruments that includes bells, shakers, drums and keyboards and find out about sound and rhythm. Skilful intervention from the childminder allows each child to take centre stage during 'concerts'; this encourages the development of important skills like listening and taking turns.

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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 The balanced daily routine offers the children busy and quiet times so they benefit from a range of experiences. Good relationships exist between the childminder and the children. They receive the childminder's complete attention during their time with her and as a result, the children are happy and secure. Positive early education and care like this enables children to reach their full potential and achieve.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are treated with equal consideration and regard. The childminder knows their individual needs and preferences well and plans activities that allow each child to participate fully. The children learn about the wider world when they celebrate a range of festivals, such as Chinese New Year and Easter, and when they play with jigsaws and look at books showing images of people with disabilities, people from other cultures and countries and people engaged in tasks traditionally associated with the opposite sex. These influences help the children to form positive views of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Clear explanations enable the children to understand why certain actions are unacceptable, teach them right from wrong and help them understand boundaries. The children are encouraged to think about how their behaviour makes others feel. This approach encourages the development of positive personal qualities, such as consideration and empathy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is good. Parents receive good quality written information at the beginning of the arrangement. This includes a full set of policies which give parents an insight into the work of the childminder. Contracts are used to set out clearly the expectations of both parties and a daily diary system and daily discussions keep parents and the childminder fully informed about important information, such as food intake, nappy changes and activities. There is a complaints log in which to record any parental complaint or concern.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Records are well organised, readily available and stored securely to protect information. Amendments are made as soon as changes occur to keep information up to date and accurate. All essential records are in place, however, there is no written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment. The registration certificate is prominently displayed, as is a poster informing parents of how to contact Ofsted.

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Organisation

The childminder shows a sound awareness of registered numbers and understands that these must never be exceeded. She has completed a pre-registration course and holds an appropriate first aid certificate and so meets requirements. As well as this, the childminder has completed recent courses in basic food hygiene and child protection to keep her practice up to date and effective.

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Organisation

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

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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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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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 satisfactory. 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): • obtain written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice.

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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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