Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for early years provision

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501637 Unique Reference Number 05 December 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 April 2001. She lives with her husband and two sons aged nine and eight years in Yarm. The whole of the home apart from the conservatory and master bedroom is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside 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 minding one pre-school child and two children before and after school. She also cares for eight children over eight years. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder walks or drives to the local school to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group. The childminder supports children with disabilities. She 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. Children are cared for in a warm and clean home, which contributes to their good health and sense of security. Their health is supported by the encouragement of appropriate personal care routines which also allow them to develop their independence, for example, as they wash their hands before baking activities, before eating and after using the toilet. Children's health needs are met as written consent has been requested from parents for seeking medical advice in an emergency and appropriate sickness and accident procedures are in place. Consent is obtained from parents for the administration of medication. The childminder has not yet set up systems to record any medication given to children, but has not yet administered medication to children under eight years.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of activities that contribute to their good health. They take part in regular outdoor activities, for example, as they walk to and from school each day and go for a trip to the local shops or to the park. This encourages their physical development. Children are able to rest and be active according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a varied range of generally healthy meals and snacks. Older children are offered a drink and biscuit after school and fresh fruit is available to them each day. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's dietary needs are met and takes into account their individual preferences. Drinks are offered to the children regularly to ensure they are not thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean, warm and comfortable home where most risks are identified and minimised. For example, electric sockets are protected with socket covers and glass is safety glass. This means that they are generally able to move around safely. However, household cleaning materials and sharp knives are accessible to children in the kitchen and pose a risk. There is appropriate fire safety equipment and a fire evacuation procedure in place. The childminder has talked to the children about the procedure, but has not actually practised a fire drill with them. Consequently, they are not fully safe in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A good range of developmentally appropriate equipment and toys, which are in a safe, well maintained condition are provided to promote children's development and welfare. Toys are stored in boxes in the bedrooms. Younger children are consulted at the beginning of the day about which toys they would like and they are then made available to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and the procedures to follow should she have any child protection concerns.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop their confidence and self-esteem due to the good relationship they have with the childminder. She talks to the children enthusiastically and they respond positively. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement, which makes them feel good about themselves. They enjoy many interesting activities which support their development and develop confidence, as the childminder talks to them and shows interest in what they are doing. Children are offered choices and are involved in the plan for the day as it is discussed with them at the beginning of the day.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a good variety of activities both inside and outside of the home. She spends her time playing with the children and supporting their development. Children have opportunities to develop their creative skills, for example, as they draw and make things. Their social development is supported as they take part in outings to the local parent and toddler groups and to other local venues. After school, the children enjoy drawing, using their imagination to make up games and playing cricket or football in the garden.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a high regard for the children in her care who demonstrate a sense of belonging by the confidence with which they relate to her. They are very much 'at home' in her care. Their self-esteem is enhanced by her interaction with them. Children are treated with equal concern and the childminder encourages non-stereotypical play. Children have access to a range of resources and activities, which reflect diversity and acknowledge cultural differences. They celebrate festivals, such as Diwali. The childminder has experience of caring for children with disabilities and works well with parents to ensure their needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop good confidence and positive self-esteem through receiving plenty of praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements. The childminder provides an effective role model, she encourages children to be polite and to say please and thank you. She is kind and supportive and children respond by being well-behaved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Trusting partnerships have been established with parents to help promote children's well-being, development and progress. Parents' views about their children's needs are actively sought before the child starts and on a regular basis. Parents are kept verbally informed about their child's day and activities and the parent pack gives them details of the policies and procedures of the setting. This enables the childminder to meet children's individual needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. 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. The childminder has written and adopted some policies and procedures which she shares effectively with parents. However, children's welfare is not fully safeguarded as the complaints procedure

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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 has not been updated to show Ofsted's new address and telephone number. Most records which are required for the safe and effective management of the provision are maintained, well organised and stored confidentially. However, there is no procedure in place to record any medication given to children. This means children's welfare is not fully protected.

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Organisation

Children feel at home and relaxed with the childminder and in the environment, resulting in them being confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Space is used appropriately to cater for the children's play needs. They are able to move around confidently. The childminder has completed the mandatory childminder training and adult-to-child ratios are maintained. The childminder organises her time well to meet the individual needs of the children.

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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 extend the range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice and obtain up to date written information about local area child protection procedures. Children now have access to a range of resources and activities, which reflect diversity and acknowledge cultural differences. The childminder now has contact details available for the Local Safeguarding Children Board and is aware of the procedure to follow should she have any child protection concerns. Consequently, children's welfare is safeguarded.

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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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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 procedures are in place for the recording of any medication given to children

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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 • make household cleaning materials and sharp knives inaccessible to the children.

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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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