Childminder in Hartlepool

Inspection report for early years provision

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321701 Unique Reference Number 19 June 2006 Inspection date Pauline Pinnegar 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 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 a registered childminder since 1989. She lives with her husband and adult son. They live in a house in the town centre area of Hartlepool. It is situated within easy distance of local amenities including schools, nurseries and toddler groups. The ground floor and upstairs bathroom is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and runs the local childminding group. She also runs a local toddler group. The childminder takes and collects children from local primary schools. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children and is presently caring for six children which includes one child over eight years. Children attend on a full and part time basis.

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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. The children are cared for in a very clean and well maintained environment. The childminder effectively implements the setting's good hygiene practices and procedures; by ensuring that food preparation areas are hygienic and clean before meals are made. The childminder has also obtained a food hygiene certificate to raise her awareness of effective food preparation routines. Children's good health is successfully promoted because they follow simple routines, such as washing hands before and after meals to remove germs. Children understand the need to follow good hygiene practices as one child reported, 'you need to get rid of the germs after going to the toilet'. Clear nappy changing procedures are also in place with the childminder ensuring her hands are washed thoroughly after each nappy change. A detailed policy to exclude children when they are unwell means that the risk of cross-infection is successfully minimised. Clear

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Helping children to be healthy

systems are in place and implemented well to record accidents involving the children in the provision. The childminder has an effective system for obtaining consent from parents for giving medication and for her to seek emergency treatment, which ensures that she promotes the children's well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

A varied range of healthy meals and snacks are provided for the children to enjoy, including pasta and cheese, fresh fruit and vegetables. They enjoy a freshly prepared hot meal at least once each day. The children enthusiastically eat their dinner because the childminder sits with them and supports their attempts to feed themselves. Meal times are sociable occasions with children interacting with each other and the childminder. The childminder works in partnership with parents to meet the children's individual dietary needs, and to cater for their likes and dislikes. Children also enjoy helping to prepare meals, such as Pizza. They choose their own healthy toppings which raises their awareness of healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy worthwhile daily physical activity and benefit positively from the childminder's view that fresh air and exercise is vitally important for all children's development. They make good use of local parks and soft play leisure facilities, where they have opportunities to run around freely. Children regularly walk to nursery. The garden is used often and children access a broad range of outdoor equipment to develop a variety of skills, such as throwing, catching, pedalling and climbing. The children rest and sleep according to their needs because the childminder responds effectively when the children are tired. She is vigilant, checking them frequently when they sleep.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's different needs are catered for safely by well-planned use of available space. The childminder gives priority to safe supervision and takes into account the age range present when planning different activities. Most risks and hazards are appropriately assessed to promote children's safety and enjoyment. The garden is safe and secure. Risk assessments have not been fully implemented when children use the trampoline in the garden, and procedures do not include written parental consent which compromises their safety. The children are beginning

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 to learn about how to keep themselves safe because the childminder talks to them as they play, reminding them to be careful as they climb the stairs not holding toys in their hands. The childminder also discusses road safety with children as they walk in the local community each day. Fire safety precautions, such as a fire blanket and smoke detectors are in place to ensure the children's safety is promoted. The childminder has a clear understanding of how to evacuate the premises in an emergency and this is routinely shared with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a suitable range of toys and resources, which are stored at low level to enable children to access them safely. Children are presented with toys that are appropriate to their age and stage of development. The indoor and outdoor equipment available meets the required safety standards and is suitably maintained by the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a sound awareness of the common signs and symptoms displayed by children suffering abuse and how to record concerns. However, she does not have a clear understanding of the procedure for reporting concerns. This compromises children's safety. There is however, a written policy for dealing with child protection issues, which contains all the required elements. Overall, the childminder is able to act in the best interests of the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children thoroughly enjoy their time in the care of the childminder. She works hard to plan the routine for the children to ensure that their days are varied and fun. For example, there are regular visits to the local park, play area, soft play and toddler groups. Children also enjoy regular trips to the library for 'story time' sessions which promotes their language development. The children's learning is promoted effectively because the childminder has a good understanding of child development. She has a growing awareness of the elements in the Birth to three matters framework and has recently developed written records of children's achievements linked to the components of the framework. This information is shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a good range of interesting activities which take into account children's individual interests and contribute to their development. Children's communication skills are developing well as a result of the childminder talking and listening to them. She encourages them to talk about what they are doing and sensitively supports their language development. The childminder is interested in what the children do and say and becomes actively involved in their play as they play with the dolls and enjoy role play dressing up in various outfits using their imagination. As a result, children are interested, motivated and their all-round development is promoted. Children's self-esteem is developing as a result of the childminder encouraging and praising them and valuing what they have to offer. Children are settled and happy in the childminder's care. Activities regularly include opportunities for children to develop their creative

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

skills. They enjoy making collage pictures of elephants and owls and explore making salt dough. Children have recently made England flags following the 'World Cup' theme. Water play is available for children and they learn their colours with themed colour collages. At birthdays they decorate 'caterpillar' cakes for each other enthusiastically saying, 'Is it making day today'?.

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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 The children have warm and affectionate relationships with the childminder. Cuddles and reassurance are a regular feature; subsequently, the children are very happy and well settled. There is a varied range of resources and toys, which are carefully stored to ensure that the children can make independent choices

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have their individual needs met due to the childminder's excellent working relationships with parents. She knows children well because she is kept successfully informed. Parents receive clear written information about the setting and all policies and procedures. Settling in procedures are effective and ensure children feel happy and secure in their environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children feel a sense of belonging and are settled with the childminder because she warmly welcomes them into her home and enjoys her time with them. They are beginning to understand responsible behaviour and develop self-esteem and respect for others due to the good example set by the childminder. She speaks kindly to them, uses and encourages good manners at all times and provides children with clear boundaries. They behave well which is largely due to the consistently positive attention they receive.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to gain a positive view of the wider world through trips within the local community. They access some resources and activities which reflect positive images of diversity. Children have explored Chinese New Year. They made dragons and participated in food tasting activities sampling spring rolls.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children enjoy being in a home that is well organised to meet their needs. The childminder plans her time effectively to make sure that the children enjoy social experiences and home-based play activities. Children's welfare is promoted in the well organised and safe environment. Their individual needs are supported by flexible planning. Routines are responsive to individual needs and effectively support children's care and development. Resources are accessible so that children can independently select their own activities and plan their own play. The childminder accesses training on a regular basis to improve her knowledge of childcare and child development. As a result, the children are well supported by the childminder who contributes successfully to their good health, safety, enjoyment and achievement.

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Organisation

Children are kept safe and their welfare is effectively safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding and implementation of all required policies and procedures. The childminder has devised clear policies and procedures, which she effectively implements to promote the well-being of the children. These practices include a child protection policy, emergency procedures, complaints procedure and detailed records of information relating to each child

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to: ensure the register records accurate times of arrival and departure; complete a first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Procedures to promote children's overall health and safety has improved. The childminder has completed a suitable first aid course which includes training in first aid for babies and young children. The attendance record accurately records times of children's arrival and departure.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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 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): • complete a full risk assessment regarding the trampoline in the garden which includes written parental consent • improve knowledge and understanding of local child protection procedures • develop the resources for children which reflect diversity.

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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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