Childminder in Middlesbrough

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY285442 Inspection date 18 October 2005 Inspector Ann Doubleday

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since June 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged 5 and 2 years in Marton in Middlesbrough. The ground floor of the home and the main bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time and is currently caring for 1 child under 5 years part time. She attends the local parent/toddler group. The family have two goldfish as pets. The childminder is a member of National Childminding Association.

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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. Children enjoy a range of physical activities that contribute to their good health. Daily activities include opportunities for children to be outdoors. Children are able to rest and be active according to their individual needs. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through daily routines. The childminder offers good support and guidance to the children which raises their awareness. Good nappy changing routines ensure that children's health needs are met well. The childminder has good hygiene routines in place to protect and promote children's health. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. The childminder has clear policies in place regarding sick children, medication and accident recording to ensure children's health needs are met. Children benefit from a healthy diet and drinks are freely available to them. Varied and nutritious snacks are provided by parents and children's individual dietary needs

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Helping children to be healthy

are catered for to ensure they remain healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are secure and confident in the well-organised environment where the childminder has identified potential hazards and taken appropriate precautions to minimise risks to children, such as the use of safety gates to prevent access to the stairs. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. Children use a range of good quality toys and equipment, which is appropriate to their age and stage of development. The toys are well organised in boxes and drawers to encourage independent access. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to ensure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. The children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted as a result of the childminder's good knowledge of accident and medication procedures, her first aid qualification and her sound understanding of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder plans interesting activities, which take into account children's individual interests. Good relationships are evident between the children and the childminder and these contribute to the children's sense of belonging. She is

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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 interested in what children do and say, and becomes actively involved in their play and as a result, children are interested, motivated and their all round development is promoted. Children are settled and happy in the childminders care. Routines and care have been established, which are consistent with home and this promotes children's sense of security and develops their confidence. Young children are becoming confident communicators. The childminder is responsive to early vocalising and uses familiar rhymes and sounds to encourage this. For example, as they enjoy ' how big is she today' together after nappy changing. Children are beginning to socialise through regular attendance at local toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice resulting in all children feeling valued and free from discrimination. Children are beginning to learn about the wider world through sensitive discussions with the childminder who also acts as a positive role model, however, there are limited resources and activities available to develop children's awareness fully regarding diversity. Children begin to learn about the local community as they take part in outings to the local toddler group. The childminder uses positive strategies for managing behaviour. She effectively supports younger children and all children are encouraged to share and take turns. This helps children to learn to understand behaviour boundaries and play harmoniously together. Children benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has developed with their parents. Parent's views about their children's needs are actively sought before

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the child starts and on a regular basis. Parents are kept verbally informed about their child's day and activities. This enables the childminder to meet each child's individual needs. However, the childminder has not sought written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice and treatment or permission for taking children on outings and in the car, resulting in the management of children's welfare not being fully effective.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder provides a well-organised environment, which contributes to the children being happy and settled. Space indoors and outdoors is well used to cater for all the children's play needs. They are able to move around confidently and independently. The children feel at home and at ease with the childminder and in the environment. This means they are confident in their play. The childminder organises her time well to meet the needs of the children.

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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 There are effective systems in place for the sharing of information with parents about the service and their child's activities. Information is shared both daily. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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.

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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): • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment, transporting children in a vehicle and for outings • ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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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

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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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