Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY356411 Unique Reference Number 11 August 2008 Inspection date Cathryn Parry 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 2007. She lives with her partner and child aged 17 years in the residential area of Whiteleas in South Shields. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom and toilet located on the first floor of the childminder's house are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside 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 and is currently minding three children. The family has an aquarium of tropical fish.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a well-maintained environment, where toys and equipment are cleaned as needed. The childminder implements satisfactory hygiene practices, which help her to protect children from illness. For example, she generally encourages children to wash their hands before eating and cleans her hands with anti-bacterial gel after changing a nappy. The childminder’s good relationship with parents and carers and her suitable procedures ensure children are cared

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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 for appropriately when ill. This reduces the risk of the spread of infection. Appropriate forms are in place, to be completed in the case of an accident or the administration of medicines. This has a positive impact on children's well-being. Most of the parents and carers have signed to give the childminder permission to seek medical advice or treatment for their children in the case of an emergency. However, not all of them have done this. Consequently, there is no evidence to ensure their wishes are respected.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder lets the children play in the garden if the weather is suitable and walks to the park where there is climbing equipment. Consequently, they have opportunities for some exercise to encourage their physical development. They have access to various types of equipment to support this. For example, playing with balls and using sit and ride toys. This enables children to develop muscle tone and coordination. They are active or restful through choice and babies sleep in-line with their individual needs and parents’ and carers’ wishes. Children are adequately nourished as they are provided with regular meals and snacks. These include fish fingers, chips, fruit and biscuits. Documentation with regard to health, including information regarding specific dietary needs, is in place and up to date. This positively safeguards children’s well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel secure as the childminder provides a welcoming environment. They are safeguarded as the childminder’s home is generally secure. This is supplemented with suitable procedures for adults collecting children. Large windows in the living room enable children to benefit from natural light whilst playing indoors. Children are able to move freely as there is adequate space available for them to play in. This reduces the risk of accidents. They are able to explore confidently using resources which are appropriate to their age and stage of development. Routines such as tidying away toys from the floor encourage children to take responsibility for their own safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Most safety equipment is in place to reduce the risk of accidents. This includes smoke detectors, a fire blanket and safety gates. However, the unit which the fish tank is situated on has sharp corners. These are just at head height for two of the children attending, both of whom are still learning to walk steadily. Consequently, the unprotected corners are a hazard. Children are appropriately supervised and have opportunities to practise what they can do, such as starting to walk with support. This helps to develop some awareness of their abilities. The childminder has attended relevant child protection training and demonstrates a suitable understanding of associated issues. Documentation is in place to ensure that children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children who have attended for some time are content in the childminding environment, whilst newcomers are still settling into the new routine. They relate appropriately to the childminder, as she joins in with their play. Younger children play with a range of toys chosen by the childminder that are suitable for their age and stage of development. These include building with construction toys, exploring pop-up activity centres and using electronic toys that make noises. Children benefit from a flexible routine, including an appropriate balance of child-centred and adult-led activities. Suitable use is made of the local area, giving children different

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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 opportunities. For example, they visit the museum and aquarium. Children’s social skills are promoted as they sit together for meals and are encouraged to play harmoniously.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder loosely plans the activities she will provide, taking into account who will be attending, the time available and the weather. Children’s self-esteem and confidence are appropriately promoted as the childminder praises and encourages them. Sufficient support is given, which nurtures children’s independence. For example, they are encouraged to put their own shoes and coats on, and are shown how to use cutlery at mealtimes. Children use their imagination as they answer the pretend telephone. Their mathematical thinking is nurtured, for instance, when they look at numerals in books and count the blocks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. A short induction period including visits with parents and carers helps to settle children into the new environment. The childminder is flexible with this arrangement, as she recognises that this is not always possible for children who are referred through the local authority. The childminder’s suitable approach to equal opportunities contributes to children’s appropriate attitudes to the wider community. However, there are very few resources to complement this. Consequently, this hinders children's developing awareness of difference. The childminder has a little experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She also shows a positive attitude to providing an inclusive environment as long as she can meet the needs of all those attending.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder speaks to parents and carers daily to ensure they are aware of the activities their children have participated in. She also discusses how they have behaved and any incidents that have happened during the day. The suitable behaviour management strategies employed take into account children's ages, stages of development and personal circumstances. The childminder demonstrates an appropriate understanding of behaviour management. She is consistent, calm and firm. Consequently, children know the boundaries and are starting to respond positively.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children access play opportunities through the appropriate organisation of space, time and resources. They mainly play in the living room where the childminder can supervise them more closely. The childminder's flexible routine includes caring for children on Saturdays to meet families’ individual needs. She chooses a selection of toys for the younger children to play with and arranges them on the floor. Consequently, they can appropriately access them. Older children can choose what they would like from the cupboard.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the knowledge gained by the childminder attending the initial training, as well as several further courses. Their welfare is appropriately safeguarded as the childminder and other household members have had suitable checks completed. She is aware of her current registration requirements and adheres to them. This has a positive impact on children's welfare. The childminder has individual documentation for each child, which has a positive impact on promoting confidentiality.

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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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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

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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): • ensure written permission for emergency medical treatment is gained from parents and carers for each child • protect any sharp corners on furniture • further develop equal opportunities resources.

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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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