Childminder in Middlesbrough

Inspection report for early years provision

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312658 Unique Reference Number 31 January 2007 Inspection date Elaine Marie McDonnell 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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 November 1992. She lives with her husband and their 15 year old daughter in the Acklam area of Middlesbrough. The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed rear garden available 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 under eight years at any one time and there are currently five children on roll, aged from 17 months to 10 years. Most children are cared for after school. The childminder provides care during school term time only. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends a local toddler group on a weekly 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 inadequate. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows appropriate hygiene procedures to prevent the spread of infection, such as during nappy changing routines. Older children are encouraged to learn about good hygiene practices through the daily routine and understand why regular hand washing is important. Appropriate procedures are in place to protect children’s overall health, for example, the childminder does not care for children with any infectious illnesses until they are well again. However, appropriate procedures are not in place for obtaining written consent from parents to administer medication or for the recording of any medication administered to children. This is a breach of regulations.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are appropriately nourished. They receive various meals if attending throughout the day and various snacks if attending after school. Sugar free drinks, water or milk are always available for children. The childminder finds out about individual dietary requirements and family preferences by asking parents, however, details of these are not recorded as there are no written personal details available for all children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have some opportunities to enjoy physical activity indoors, for example, the childminder states that they get active and move around when playing 'charades'. They walk to and from school each day and have more opportunities for physical activity during the summer months when they play in the rear garden. Younger children sleep according to their needs and individual routines and older children can be involved in quieter activities, such as watching television or completing homework if they wish, when returning from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Appropriate steps have been taken to ensure that children are cared for in a safe environment, for example, smoke alarms, a safety gate and socket covers are in place. Cleaning fluids are stored out of children's reach, a suitable fire blanket and first aid box are available. However, the first aid box contains items other than those determined on the first aid course. Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that children are kept safe when playing outdoors as the childminder states that they are always supervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The environment is warm and welcoming for the children with a suitable range of toys available, such as a play kitchen with pots and pans and vegetables, books, activity toys, puzzles, a buggy and dolls. Children have easy access to the toys that are stored in the lounge. Board games and craft activities are available for older children when they return from school. The childminder ensures that resources are safe and suitable for children's use by providing items that are suitable for the children's ages, keeping them clean and checking them for any damage. Children learn to keep themselves safe when involved in regular fire drills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are appropriately protected as the childminder understands her role in relation to child protection issues and is able to put relevant procedures into practice when necessary. However,

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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 she does not demonstrate a clear understanding of the different areas of abuse or of possible signs and is not aware of the government booklet 'What To Do If You're Worried A Child Is Being Abused - Summary'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are involved in a suitable range of activities that cover most areas of development. For example, board games for older children, drawing, books and puzzles, weekly visits to a local toddler group for younger children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop confidence and self-esteem appropriately as they are praised by the childminder, for example, when finding matching parts to a musical book. They show some interest in what they do and enjoy listening to stories and watching a television programme.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are limited planned activities available to promote children's understanding of wider society or to help them begin to understand about other cultural traditions and beliefs. However, some basic play materials which reflect diversity are available. Children learn about their own cultural traditions when involved in activities relating to Christmas and Easter.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Equal opportunities are appropriately promoted as all children are treated as individuals. The childminder is aware that some children may have special needs and would discuss any concerns with parents. There are currently no children with any learning difficulties, disabilities or who speak English as an additional language attending the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy being with the childminder and enjoy the activities available. They are settled and happy. Children make positive relationships with adults and are well behaved. The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of how to manage children's behaviour and states they are kept occupied and busy to prevent any boredom or negative behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works inconsistently in partnership with parents. Contract agreements and consent forms from most parents, such as seeking emergency medical advice or treatment, are not available. The childminder keeps parents informed of their child's development and progress through discussion.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder ensures that adults caring for children are suitable to do so as all adults in the household have been appropriately vetted. The childminder has undertaken first aid training since her last inspection. However, this is not an approved course as it was for six hours rather than twelve. The childminder has not undertaken any other training and does not present as having a clear understanding of the National Standards or the 'Outcomes For 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 The record of attendance shows that adult to child ratios are maintained. The childminder has high regard for the wellbeing of all children and they receive good adult support and attention.

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Organisation

Not all documentation and records required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available. There is no record of personal details information for most of the children on roll. Overall, the provision does not meet 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 was asked to improve the organisation of the provision and the partnership with parents by ensuring that all records are readily accessible and that appropriate signed consent forms and written agreements with parents are in place. Insufficient progress has been made as these issues have not been addressed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. She has purchased some equipment since the last inspection, such as a doll and a book.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to ensure that harmful substances are made inaccessible to the children. Children's safety has now been improved as these are stored upstairs, out of children's reach.

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • ensure that prior written permission is obtained from parents before administering medication and keep a record of all medicines administered 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 • ensure that all records required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available, in this instance, contract agreements and consent forms from parents and children's personal details. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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