Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY368574 Unique Reference Number 22 May 2008 Inspection date Anthea Errington 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 lives with her husband and three children in their home situated in Cambois, Northumberland. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years of age and has been registered since January 2008. There are currently six part time children on roll. Areas of the home used for minding purposes include a lounge, conservatory, kitchen and bathroom located on the ground floor. A fully enclosed garden is available for outdoor play. Local schools and resources are located nearby.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming family home, where they are well supported in staying healthy. For example, the childminder ensures that children wash their hands after using the bathroom and before food and regularly washes toys and equipment to ensure they are clean and suitable.

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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 do not attend if they are sick which enables the childminder to protect other minded children from illness. A written policy is in place to support this. Effective procedures are in place to record medication, emergency consent and accidents. Children's health is further supported as the childminder has a valid first aid qualification for babies and young children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have very good opportunities to develop their bodies physically and benefit from a routine that offers exercise and rest when required. For example, children enjoy local walks to parks and the beach on a daily basis and have access to a good range of outdoor equipment in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy snacks, meals and drinks. Young children enjoy a choice of water or milk to drink. Dietary requirements including allergies are fully discussed with parents and recorded on children's individual records. This ensures children's needs are adequately met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have sufficient space to play safely in the appropriately organised environment. They have unrestricted movement throughout the ground floor of the premises and they treat it like their own home. Most potential risks to the minded children have been assessed and precautions have been put in place, such as, safety gates, smoke detectors, visitor records and a fire blanket. However, children's safety is compromised, as garden light cables are loose and trailing and the front door is not kept locked, therefore, children are able to leave unsupervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children confidently make choices from the wide range of age appropriate resources. The safety and suitability of toys and equipment is ensured by the childminder checking toys after each use and regular cleaning.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings as the childminder has appropriate procedures in place. For example, young children are securely strapped into pushchairs while older children hold on to the pushchair. The childminder has written consent in place from parents to take children on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sufficient awareness and understanding of safeguarding children and relevant documents are in place, therefore, children are adequately protected. Local contact numbers are held for specialist support and advice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and ensures that daily flexible plans incorporate fun activities that help to promote children's learning and development. Children are very settled and happy to be in the childminder's care. Relationships are good between the childminder and children because this is natural and spontaneous. The children receive eye contact and warm reassuring smiles which further encourages their sense of belonging. Children develop language skills as the childminder participates in an activity with them. For example, she encourages the children to fit the train track pieces together using language they understand and respond to.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder encourages children to make choices and uses a visual planning timetable with the pre school children. Therefore, their needs and preferences are thoughtfully incorporated

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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 into the planning and organisation of the daily routine. All of the minded children are respected and valued as individuals and make confident choices from the broad range of age appropriate toys and equipment available to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children's social skills are further developed as they are given regular opportunities to interact with one another. Trips taken to local parks and the beach give them regular opportunities to interact and further develop their communication and social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder spends purposeful time to get to know each child and displays a positive attitude towards equality and diversity. Sufficient resources are available for children's use to develop their understanding and knowledge of the wider world. Children learn about the community they live in through visits to local facilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder liaises with parents and relevant agencies to ensure that all children have their needs met and progress well in their development. The childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities, ensuring that she consults with parents to meet individual needs. For example, meal times are effectively organised to ensure children's dietary requirements are fully met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is very good and a written behaviour management policy is in place. The childminder uses age appropriate techniques to help promote positive behaviour and help children to understand right from wrong. For example, distraction and time out methods are implemented when required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder gathers relevant information from parents to ensure that she is able to meet the children's individual needs. She provides parents with informative written information with regard to the care she provides including well-written policies and procedures. Very well organised records, verbal feedback and daily diaries keep parents informed about their child's day. Therefore, children benefit from the good relationships between the childminder and parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder continues to update her childcare knowledge and is currently studying for a diploma in home based childcare. She balances her time effectively and plans activities to meet the children's individual needs.

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Organisation

The space within the home is well organised to accommodate minded children and the provision of a range of age appropriate activities. The childminder organises toys and resources so that children access them independently and make choices about their learning and play.

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Organisation

The childminder is aware of the need to maintain, display and keep documentation. Documentation is well organised, accessible and confidentially stored. Written policies and procedures are individual to the setting and are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. A record of attendance is kept, including the actual times of children's attendance.

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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 the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 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 complaint 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): • ensure loose garden light cables are made safe • ensure the premises are secure to prevent children leaving unsupervised.

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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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