Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY259152 Unique Reference Number 13 June 2006 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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children aged two, six and eight in the residential area of North Shields in Tyne and Wear. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully 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 three children under eight years at any one time. She also cares for children over the age of eight years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local parent and toddler group.

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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 satisfactory. Children are adequately nourished as the childminder provides interesting meals and snacks, including fajitas. They confidently ask for drinks when they are thirsty, as well as older children helping themselves. Children access some opportunities for physical play, for example, playing football and walking to the park. The childminder's flexible routine incorporates time for quiet play and rest, enhancing children’s well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning reasonable personal hygiene practices with appropriate support. Suitable routines ensure individual children are cared for well should they become ill, reducing the risk of cross-infection. Documentation with regard to administering medicines and recording accidents is in place, with the childminder demonstrating a good understanding of how to implement these. Verbal consent has been gained for emergency medical treatment. However, there is no written consent, which has a negative impact on ensuring parent’s wishes are met and children's welfare maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are safeguarded appropriately as the childminder’s home is secure at all times. This is supplemented with suitable procedures for adults collecting children. They are able to explore safely using clean and well maintained resources. Those who go on outings are kept safe, as the childminder is vigilant and encourages the children to stay together. She provides an adequate level of adult supervision enabling children take appropriate risks as part of their development. Using the trampoline outside is an example of this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All safety equipment is in place, including smoke detectors on both floors. These reduce the risk of accidents. Routines such as using the pedestrian crossing encourage children to take responsibility for their own safety. Children are suitably protected as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. Appropriate documentation contributes to children’s safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are happy to participate in the variety of activities provided. These include dressing up, baking and games. They make progress as the childminder talks to parents to ensure she has a reasonable knowledge of their developmental stage when they start. A satisfactory balance of child-centred and adult-led experiences ensures appropriate challenge for their age and stage of development, for example, encouraging older children to do their homework.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Appropriate use is made of the local area including visits to the beach and local parent and toddler group. This gives children a breadth of opportunities. A variety of creative 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 including painting, cutting and sticking promote children's self expression whilst having fun. Children enjoy using their imagination, for example, when using the toy shopping trolley. Their communication skills are suitably fostered, resulting in good interactions between themselves and the childminder. The broad range of resources and appropriate low level storage stimulates children’s overall development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well settled in the friendly and welcoming environment. A short induction period, including visits with parents, enables children to adjust to the new environment. Children are learning right from wrong and are starting to take responsibility for their own actions. They share and take turns, for example, when using the trampoline. Independence is fostered through children playing an active role in deciding which activities are provided. Older children are encouraged to help make their own tea, which promotes self-help skills. They show concern for each other, with one child being observed helping another with his spelling homework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Positive role modelling by the childminder and appropriate resources encourage children’s growing knowledge of equal opportunities. Children's confidence is raised through consistent praise and encouragement. The childminder discussed how she sometimes frames the children's art work, which raises self-esteem. Good partnerships with parents ensure individual needs are met appropriately, which promotes stability. The childminder has experience of caring for children across the age range and uses appropriate behaviour management strategies to meet individual needs. This results in children generally behaving well.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children’s play opportunities are enhanced through the appropriate organisation of space, time and resources. The open plan lounge and playroom gives children the space to participate fully in activities either alone or with others. Suitable organisation of time enables the childminder to take and collect children from local schools, as well as caring for them during school holidays. Large baskets of toys enable children to self-select freely.

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Organisation

All legally required documentation is in place and stored confidentially. This ensures children's privacy at all times. The childminder has previously attended first aid training and is booked onto a further course. She shows a good understanding of procedures to follow in the case of an accident or a child becoming ill. However, a current first aid certificate has not been maintained, which is a breach of regulations.

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Organisation

Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to: develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and obtain the booklet 'What to do if you are worried a child is being abused'; ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote

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Improvements 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 equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice; improve fire safety precautions by fitting and maintaining smoke alarms in working order on the ground and first floor; make sure that blind cords, drains, sharp knives, loose cables and the glass coffee table are safe or inaccessible to the children; make sure that premises are secure and that children are unable to leave them unsupervised; and request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder showed a good understanding of child protection issues and has a copy of the appropriate booklet, she has increased her equal opportunities resources, has smoke detectors fitted on each floor and has addressed all other safety issues. The premises are secure at all times, including locks on the garden gates. Verbal consent for

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Improvements since the last inspection

emergency medical consent has been gained, and this is to be further developed to include written permission. All the above have a positive impact on children's well-being.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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): • obtain written permission for emergency medical treatment • attend first aid training in order to maintain a current first aid certificate.

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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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