Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for early years provision

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305905 Unique Reference Number 01 November 2006 Inspection date Ann Doubleday 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 was registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and their children aged eight, 10 and 12 years and two adult children in Yarm. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for three pre-school children and four children over eight years after school. The childminder supports children with physical disabilities. She walks to the local school to take and collect children. The childminder attends local parent/toddler groups with the children and is a member of the 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. The childminder follows clear hygiene routines to protect and promote children's health. High standards of cleanliness are maintained in childminding areas to ensure that children are cared for in a warm, clean home. The childminder ensures toys and equipment are clean and well maintained, and provides individual towels for children's use. This all helps to prevent the spread of infection, which protects children's health. Children understand simple good health and hygiene practices. They know to wash their hands before meals, after using the toilet and after messy activities. They are learning the importance of good hygiene routines. For example, they know not to lick their fingers during a baking activity.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures she has the appropriate documentation in place to support children's health needs. Accidents and administration of medication are recorded correctly. Although consent for seeking medical advice in an emergency has been sought from parents, it could not be located for all children, and therefore, would not be readily accessible in an emergency situation.

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Helping children to be healthy

Each day there are outdoor activities provided to improve children's physical skills. They play in the garden on the play equipment available, go for a nature walk or visit one of the local parks. This enables them to exercise and run around in the fresh air. Children are able to rest or be active according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a sound awareness of healthy eating. Arrangements for snacks, meals and drinks are negotiated with parents so that children's individual dietary needs are met appropriately. Drinks are readily accessible to children and the childminder ensures they have fresh fruit each day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe environment where they have room to move around freely and safely. Premises are warm and welcoming and are friendly to children and parents. Furniture, equipment and toys, which are of good quality and in a safe, well-maintained condition, are provided to promote children's development and welfare. Children are able to easily access appropriate toys, which encourages them to make choices and develop their independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good steps are taken to keep children safe. For example, household cleaning materials are kept out of children's reach and equipment, such as socket covers are in place. The premises are secure. The childminder raises children's awareness of how to keep themselves safe by being a good role model and completing activities with them from a crucial crew safety activity pack. Emergency evacuation procedures are practised regularly so that children know what to do in an emergency.

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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 The childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take if she has concerns about a child in her care. She recognises her responsibilities with regard to keeping children safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and very happy in the childminder's care. Close and caring relationships are formed between the children and childminder, and the children approach her confidently. This contributes to the children's sense of trust and helps them develop a strong sense of self. The childminder helps to raise children's self-esteem by providing encouragement and praise, and by valuing what they have to offer. Their communication skills are developing well as the childminder talks and listens to them. She encourages them to talk about what they are doing and uses good questioning to extend children's learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder spends her time playing with the children, listening and talking to them, whilst extending their learning. They enjoy using a wide range of interesting resources, such as aqua play, construction toys and books, which are suitable for their age and stage of development. Activities and play opportunities are purposeful and developmentally appropriate, resulting in children being motivated and interested. Opportunities are provided for children to play together with their friends and also to have individual attention. They enjoy many outings to places, such as one of the parks in the area, nature walks and the library to give children new experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's creativity is developing as they take part in activities such as gluing and sticking, painting and modelling with play dough. Baking is also a regular feature of the setting. Their imagination is developing as they make up puppet shows and make dens in the play room. They choose their own activities and the childminder incorporates fun into everything they do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder actively promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, resulting in all children feeling valued and free from discrimination. Children with disabilities are integrated into the setting and children learn to value differences through sensitive discussions. They are receptive to the childminder's good role modelling. Children access a range of resources, such as books, jigsaws and games which reflect diversity and participate in discussions about different celebrations, such as Chinese New Year. They learn about the local community as they take part in visits and outings, for example, to the local parks and library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children understand responsible behaviour and respond well to the consistent boundaries that the childminder has in place, which helps them feel secure. The childminder has high expectations for children's behaviour and is a good role model, as a result, children are kind and considerate to each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has developed with their parents. Parents' views about their child's needs are actively sought before the child starts and on an

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 ongoing basis. This enables the childminder to meet each child's individual needs. Daily verbal exchanges means information is shared effectively and the childminder ensures parents are aware of their child's care throughout the day including what they have eaten and what activities they have done. The childminder also keeps a journal for parents and gives them a copy of her policies and procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and relaxed in the well organised environment, resulting in them being confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Space is used well to cater for the children's play needs. They are able to move around freely. Adult to child ratios are maintained and the childminder organises her time well to meet the individual needs of the children. The childminder keeps her own knowledge up to date by attending regular training, the knowledge gained is used to enhance the care that is given to the children

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Organisation

There are effective systems in place for the daily sharing of information with parents about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. Parents are also asked to complete a satisfaction and quality improvement survey. Records, policies and procedures are all in place and are kept appropriately. All records are shared regularly with parents to keep them fully informed of their child's care and about the childminding service. However, some consents are not easily accessible.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the provider agreed to ensure the premises are secure preventing unauthorised entry or exit and to ensure documentation contains relevant up to date information. The premises are secure and front and back doors are kept locked. This ensures children are safe. Required documentation is in place and is up to date, although some consents from parents are not easily accessible.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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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Complaints 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

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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): • make sure consents in place for seeking emergency medical advice are available and easily accessible.

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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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