Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY361786 Unique Reference Number 24 July 2008 Inspection date Vivienne Dempsey 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 parents in the Rift House area of Hartlepool. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a designated playroom and fully enclosed gardens for outside play. The childminder works as co-minder with her mother.

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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 and a maximum of 10 children when working with another childminder. She is currently minding four children under five all day. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder helps run the local parent and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is good. The premises and equipment are very clean, because the childminder and her co-minder have effective cleaning routines in place. Children are encouraged and are beginning to learn about good personal hygiene routines. For example, they wash their hands before meals and snacks and after toileting. All of which helps to stop the spread of infection, keeping children healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has completed a relevant first aid course, a first aid box is available and permission is sought from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice. This helps her to act quickly in the event of an accident, protecting children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

A varied range of nutritious meals and snacks are provided by the childminder. She works with parents to ensure she meets children's dietary requirements and fresh drinking water is available at all times. This helps to keep children nourished and hydrated. Children enjoy playing in the garden with a wide range of toys and resources. They walk to the local school and regularly visit parks and country walks. This helps to develop children's physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are very safe, welcoming and friendly. Children are able to move around safely and freely as the childminder has minimised hazards. For example, socket covers, cupboard locks and safety gates are in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are beginning to learn about fire safety as the childminder has a emergency evacuation plan in place and is practised regularly with the children. They enjoy attending a 'Beep Beep' day with the local police, to help develop children's understanding of road safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected by the childminder who has a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. The childminder is fully aware of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care. However, the child protection policy does not include procedures to follow in the event of allegations being made whilst children are in the care of the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very relaxed as they play in the childminder's home. They move around freely in the designated playroom, where they explore and play with a wide variety of resources. They enjoy child-initiated activities and the childminder is on hand to help them when necessary. For example, they have fun with the play food pretending to have a picnic on the floor, playing with the construction and small world people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides lots of opportunities for the children to develop their knowledge and understanding of the local area. For example, they visit the local beach and children's farm. Children show high levels of concentration and engage in chosen activities for long periods of time. This demonstrates that children are interested and motivated to learn with the activities and resources the childminder provides.

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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 childminder is beginning to use observations to observe children's learning and development. These are shared with parents to inform them of their child's progress. However, observations are not used to plan the next steps in children's learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are valued and treated as individuals. They have equal access to a good range of toys and resources, which helps develop their awareness of diversity, such as, dressing up clothes from around the world, small world dolls and a variety of books. Children with learning difficulties and disabilities are fully included within the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved and the childminder provides lots of positive praise and encouragement to support their good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A good range of information is available to parents about the service the childminder and her co-minder provide. Daily diaries are completed to inform parents of their child's day. Regular two-way sharing of verbal information also helps to ensure continuity of care and enables the childminder to meet the individual needs of all children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children benefit from a good standard of care as the childminder is very well organised. All people over 16 are vetted appropriately and the children are supervised at all times, ensuring children's safety. Children's care is promoted as the childminder has clear policies and procedures in place and these are shared with parents. The childminder attends regular training and is keen to develop her already good childminding practice.

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Organisation

All required documents are in place and available for inspection. Children's attendance is clearly recorded, a register is in place and adult-to-child ratios are met.

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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 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): • develop the child protection policy to include procedures to follow if allegations are made while a child is in the care of the childminder • develop the use of observations to plan next steps in children's play and learning.

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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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