Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY359674 Unique Reference Number 23 July 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 lives with her husband and adult daughter in Thornaby. Local amenities used by the childminder include parks, soft play facilities and a farm shop. The ground floor of the home and small bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden 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 at any one time. There are currently two children on roll who attend on a part time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and clean home and the childminder has good hygiene routines in place to protect and promote children's health. There are clear policies and procedures in place regarding sick children, medication and accident recording, this means children's health needs are met. However, the medication record does not include parents signing to acknowledge

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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 the entry. Procedures followed by the childminder result in children being protected from the spread of infection, for example, as they learn why they need to wash their hands as they follow the diagrams that are displayed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a varied range of activities which contribute to their good health. They enjoy regular visits to the local amenities including toddler groups, parks and farm shop. Children use a range of equipment in the fully enclosed garden each day, for example, sand, water, bats and balls. This means they have fresh air and exercise and their physical development is promoted. Children are able to rest and be active according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrated good understanding of healthy eating and she works with parents to ensure children's individual dietary needs are met. The childminder ensures children receive a varied and nutritious diet and 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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming, child orientated home where most risks are identified and minimised. This means children are generally able to move around safely, freely and independently. However, not all low level glass has been protected and poses a hazard. A fire plan is in place; emergency evacuation procedures have been practised with the children and a record is maintained. The childminder ensures children are safe when being transported in a vehicle. Appropriate car seats and restraints are used in the vehicle.

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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

Children are appropriately protected as the childminder has satisfactory understanding of her responsibilities with regards to child protection. All required procedures and documentation are in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have good relationships with the childminder and are well settled and happy in her care. Communication skills are well supported through good adult-child interactions, the childminder is responsive to early vocalising and uses familiar rhymes and sounds to encourage this. For example, a young baby giggles with pleasure to 'round and round the garden', obviously familiar with the rhyme and anticipating what comes next.

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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 are undertaken which take into account children's individual interests. The childminder makes good use of the local amenities to further enhance children's experiences, for example, toddler groups.

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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 childminder and they are involved in a wide range of activities that promote learning. For example, children enjoy baking, playing with water and sand activities.

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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 learn about the local and wider society through the appropriate range of resources and activities provided by the childminder. These include visits in the local and wider community. The childminder promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice well and ensures all children are involved in the life of the setting, this means they feel valued and free from discrimination. The childminder has a 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

Children behave well. The childminder is a positive role model to the children and she uses her experience well to provide a positive atmosphere in which children can feel relaxed and secure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has developed with their parents. They receive copies of the childminders polices; a clear settling in procedure is in place and verbal information is shared each day. This means parents are kept fully informed of how their child has been and enables the childminder to meet each child's needs well.

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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 towards ongoing training and has completed several relevant training courses. Currently, she is working towards a level three National Vocational Qualification. This has increased her knowledge and skills and allowed her to develop her practice. She is committed to improving the service and actively seeks ways to enable her to do this successfully. Records, policies and procedures support good practice, safeguarding children's welfare and ensuring parents are well informed of their children's progress. This means the care of children is promoted well. 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 by 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): • ensure parents sign the record of medication administered to children • ensure low level accessible glass is protected.

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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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