Jaimie Charlton Prater

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY314153 Inspection date 14 December 2005 Inspector Julie, Anne Swan

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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 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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in September 2005. She lives with her partner in a ground floor flat in the Silksworth area of Sunderland. The whole of the childminder’s home, except for the bedroom, is used for childminding. There is no garden, but the childminder takes children to local parks and open green spaces for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children under 5 years all day and four children over 5 years before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a dog.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable environment where they are beginning to develop an understanding of good hygiene and personal care. They are encouraged to wash their hands after using the bathroom and before eating meals. The childminder has appropriate practices in place to reduce the risk of the spread of infection which protects the children from illness. Children enjoy physical play both indoors and outdoors. They enjoy fresh air and physical exercise on regular outings to local parks and green areas, which contributes to their good health. The childminder has a suitable awareness of the differing abilities of the children and ensures that equipment and activities are appropriate to their individual needs. Children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. The childminder supports parents wishes to provide their own foods for children and discusses their

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

intakes daily with the parents. This ensures children's diets and well being can be monitored.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a mostly safe environment. The childminder is generally aware of the risks to children's safety and has taken reasonable steps to protect them, smoke alarms are available and in working order and children are appropriately supervised in the kitchen. However, some areas of safety have not been identified. For example, a fire blanket is not readily available in the kitchen and low level glass has not been verified as safety glass which, compromises children's safety. Children access a developmentally appropriate range of play equipment. They are able to make their own selections from storage boxes, which are easily accessible within a designated playroom. The children move around freely and are comfortable within their environment. The childminder has some required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, the childminder has

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

public liability insurance and uses the National Childminding Association recording system to record children's details. However, the childminder's understanding of child protection procedures is limited, which prevents children's welfare being fully supported should a child protection situation arise.

p.3

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 Children settle well at the childminder's house. They enter confidently and make themselves at home. They relate well to each other and socialise with other children on regular visits and outings to soft play. Children become independent as they choose between a variety of toys, books and activities which are appealing. The childminder uses her training in childcare to adapt activities such as singing and storytelling to promote children's learning. The children are keen to communicate with the childminder as they play games and listen to stories with her. Children are challenged to use what they know and learn more, and make good progress in all aspects of their development. This is because the childminder has a good understanding of how children learn and plans activities which are aimed at the

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

individual ages and stages of development of each child.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident, independent and secure in their environment. The childminder values each child and ensures their individual needs are met fully. Children are beginning to develop a sense of belonging and recognition of others as they watch television programmes, identify familiar characters in books and stories and talk about foods from around the world. The childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities and uses her knowledge to ensure all children are included. Children behave well and are beginning to understand the consequences of unacceptable behaviour on others. The childminder has appropriate strategies in place for managing behaviour, which are appropriate to the children's ages and stages of development and understanding. The childminder communicates with parents every day. They share information about children's activities and progress to ensure that any concerns are dealt with. This

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

contributes to the continuity of care for the children.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are safe and free from harm because the childminder has a reasonable knowledge of the National Standards and is mostly successful in interpreting them. The childminder is well organised. She makes appropriate use of her time, space and resources to create a suitable environment for the children. The children are safe, settled, secure and confident within their environment. Documentation is up-to-date and mostly recorded well. It is shared regularly with parents to ensure that they are fully informed about their child's achievements and progress and this contributes to continuity in the children's care. Overall the provision meets the need of the range of the children for whom it

p.4

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 provides.

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 fire blanket is situated according to manufacturers instructions • verify safety of low level glass and ensure children can play safely in the vicinity of it • develop knowledge of child protection procedures and attain local guidance • ensure parents provide written consent for the transport of children and emergency medical treatment.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.5

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

p.5