Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY353941 Unique Reference Number 24 July 2008 Inspection date Cilla Burdis 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 was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and four years, in Seaton Sluice, Northumberland. Children have access to a ground floor playroom, lounge-diner and kitchen plus a first floor bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five and one child over five before and after school. All children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. There are no family pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well presented, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through daily routines. The childminder ensures all children have access to individual hand towels to reduce the risk of cross infection. The clear, written sickness policy is shared with parents so they can work with the childminder in protecting children from illness and infection. Relevant records are in place for accidents and medication to protect

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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 children. However, parents have not confirmed in writing that they consent to the childminder seeking emergency medical advice or treatment for their child.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of physical activities to promote their development and gain control of their bodies. The childminder organises her home well to enable children to freely explore the childminding environment. A variety of physical activities are undertaken in the garden and children visit local parks to challenge their skills on the range of equipment available. Children walk to schools and other local amenities and they enjoy ball games in the garden or the local parks. Therefore, children are developing a positive attitude towards exercise.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary requirements are met through consultation with parents. The childminder ensures children receive a nutritious and balanced diet to promote good health. A sample menu plan is shared with parents to inform them of the type of meals provided.

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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 secure environment. A designated playroom is made warm and welcoming with accessible resources and wall displays of children's artwork. Children use a good range of safe and well maintained toys, which are suitable to meet their developing needs. Toys are rotated by the childminder to stimulate children's interest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder identifies and minimises risks around the home. Therefore, children are able to move safely, freely and independently. Children are kept safe on outings through the effective procedures implemented by the childminder. Children learn about fire safety as they practise the fire evacuation procedure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected by the childminder, who is confident and secure in her knowledge of child protection policies and procedures. This is reinforced through a clear and comprehensive written policy, ensuring that children's welfare is protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder provides a broad range of stimulating and interesting activities, which she adapts well to suit the ages of the children attending. Activities are purposeful and promote learning and development well. For example, they enjoy baking and creative activities, and growing fruit and flowers in the childminder's garden. The childminder is very enthusiastic and fully involved in the children's activities. She helps and encourages children by asking appropriate questions to challenge their thinking and decision making skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children settle well with the good support they receive from the childminder. They are confident, secure and display a sense of belonging as they chat to her and make suggestions for play. The childminder knows the children well and is able to provide appropriate levels of support or challenge to help each child make progress in their development and learning. For example, during baking activities, the older children can accurately weigh the ingredients and the younger ones can help count out quantities and develop their skills of stirring and mixing the ingredients together. The activities provided ensure children have fun as they learn through play.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are respected and highly valued as individuals. They are becoming independent as they are encouraged and supported to make their own decisions and develop preferences, for example, as they choose activities or make decisions about their meals. A meaningful range of resources are used to raise children's awareness of the wider world. Children learn about their local community as they visit shops, parks and the library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides clear and consistent boundaries and encourages good behaviour through the effective use of praise and encouragement. House rules are shared with parents and children. This helps children learn what is acceptable and helps them take responsibility for their own behaviour. The children learn to consider the feelings of others through sharing and taking turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive an information booklet containing childminding policies, procedures and details about the childminder and her family. The childminder works very closely with parents to ensure all children are cared for in accordance with their individual needs. Parents are consulted about all aspects of their child's care. They are kept well informed of their child's progress and daily activities through regular verbal feedback and the sharing of photographs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are extremely well cared for in a home that is organised effectively to keep them safe and secure. Toys and resources are stored in low level units, enabling all children to access them independently. This allows children to make free choices about their play and learning. Records and documentation are well organised to maintain a safe and efficient service that contributes to children's health, safety and well-being. Comprehensive policies are used effectively to ensure there are positive outcomes for children. The childminder attends training whenever possible. This reflects her professional approach and commitment to the ongoing development of her practice. To promote children's welfare, the childminder maintains adequate ratios at all times and ratios were met at inspection.

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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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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 to 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): • request parental signatures to confirm they agree to the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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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