Lister, Katrina

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 312461 Inspection date 05 September 2005 Inspector Cathryn Parry

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 good. 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 9 years and 4 years in the residential area of South Shields in Tyne and Wear. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child. She also cares for children who are over 8 years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She also attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has three pet tortoises.

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 good. Children thrive as the childminder provides healthy and nutritional meals and snacks, such as pasta dishes and fresh fruit. They take part in imaginative food related activities such as strawberry picking and growing their own strawberries to eat at snack time. This encourages healthy eating. Children confidently ask for drinks when they are thirsty, as well as having fresh juice and flavoured water regularly provided. Children flourish as they access good opportunities for physical play including swimming and using the trampoline at the local leisure centre. The flexible childminder's routine incorporates time for quiet play and rest, enhancing children’s well-being. Children are learning good personal hygiene through consistent routines and positive role modelling. Effective policies, very good relationships with parents and relevant training ensures individual children are cared for well should they

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

become ill, reducing the risk of cross infection. The majority of documentation with regard to health, including specific dietary needs and consent forms is in place and up to date. These positively safeguard children’s well-being. However, parents do not countersign medication forms, which could have a negative effect on children's welfare.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safeguarded well as the childminder’s home is secure at all times. This is supplemented with effective procedures for adults collecting children. They are able to explore safely using clean and well maintained resources. All safety equipment is in place reducing the risk of accidents. Routines such as tidying away toys from the floor and independently fastening car seat belts encourage children to take responsibility for their own safety. The childminder has a good understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits, for instance when supervising children using the lollypop lady to cross the road. The childminder’s current child protection knowledge of signs and symptoms is good, however she is not familiar with procedures to follow, which could have a detrimental effect on children’s welfare. Appropriate documentation such as insurance and

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

consent forms, contributes positively to children’s safety.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are eager to participate in the variety of activities provided. These offer appropriate challenge for their age and stage of development. The broad range of resources and appropriate low level

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 storage stimulates children’s overall development. Effective use is made of the local area giving children a breadth of opportunities, for instance visiting the beach to fly kites and the local museum to experience exhibitions. Children’s communication skills are fostered well, resulting in good interactions between themselves and the childminder. They delight in using their imagination including using the small animals and figures in the pretend jungle. Children enjoy mark making and are developing good hand and eye coordination. They have a growing understanding of the world that they live in through a variety of well planned and spontaneous activities. These include growing seeds and sharing photographs of holidays in different countries.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well settled in the friendly and welcoming environment. The childminder has a good understanding of managing behaviour across the age range, resulting in children’s behaviour being very good. They are learning to share well, including their own toys brought from home. Children regularly show excellent manners spontaneously saying please and thank you. They are becoming increasingly independent, for instance older children pour their own drinks and help prepare vegetables for tea. Children are gaining a good understanding of the natural world for instance when helping to care for the pet tortoises. The childminder’s confident approach to equal opportunities actively contributes to children’s positive attitudes to the wider community. This is complemented with access to a selection of appropriate resources including books from the local library. Very good relationships with parents are highly beneficial to the continuity of care

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s play opportunities are maximised through the effective organisation of space and resources. Very good use of time enables children to participate in a variety of experiences both indoors and out. Well planned outings ensure they have optimum opportunities for a more comprehensive view of the world they live in, for instance when watching the tall ships. Training attended by the childminder has had a positive impact on the quality of care provided. She shows a raised awareness of children's individual needs and responds appropriately. Documentation for each child is organised well and stored confidentially, maintaining children’s and their families privacy at all times. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the children who attend.

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

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to ensure she had appropriate insurance for any vehicle used when childminding, that first floor windows were made safe and that children remain within sight and hearing distance. She was also asked to become familiar with the national standards and guidance. She has addressed all the above, which has a positive impact on children's overall welfare.

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 good. 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 medication forms are countersigned • develop knowledge of child protection procedures.

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