Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for early years provision

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305773 Unique Reference Number 17 September 2007 Inspection date Donna Suzanne Lancaster 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 satisfactory. 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 1995. She lives with her husband and their four children aged 18, 14, 10 and six years. They live in a house in Eaglescliffe which is within walking distance of local amenities. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes, with bathroom facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have two dogs, two ferrets and tropical fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years. She is currently caring for one child aged under five years. She is a member of the local Childminding Group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Good standards of cleanliness are maintained in childminding areas to ensure children are cared for in a warm, clean home. Although children are very young, they begin to develop an

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 understanding of personal hygiene through the childminder setting a good example. For example, she washes her hands and the babies hands and face before and after having lunch. The childminder puts in place sound measures to reduce the risk of cross-infection, such as providing individual face and hand towels and changing them on a daily basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from any potential health risks posed by the family pets, for example, they do not have contact with them unless they are supervised by the childminder. The childminder provides daily opportunities for babies to develop their large physical skills and have plenty of fresh air in the outdoor environment. For example, they go for walks with the dogs, they visit the park to feed the ducks and they attend toddler groups three times a week. Children are able to rest or be active according to their individual needs. Feeding and nappy changing takes place in accordance with the child's needs and not as part of the childminder's routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Close communication with parents ensures all children’s individual dietary requirements are fully met. Parents provide babies meals. The childminder has a sound understanding of healthy eating and provides advice to parents regarding weaning babies. Regular drinks are offered throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are suitably protected through the childminder having a satisfactory understanding of the procedure to follow in the event of a concern, therefore ensuring the continued safety and well-being of the children in her care. However, a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures is not easily accessible for her to refer to should she have any concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play mostly in a large, dedicated play room with displays of children's art-work which supports children's sense of belonging. Their safety is well maintained as the toys and equipment are organised to ensure that they can move around freely and confidently and without fear of injury. There is good selection of toys, which are well maintained and of a good quality. This further ensures the safety of the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of safety issues relating to the care of young children. For example, a safety gate is used to prevent children having access to the stairs and ranch style doors at the kitchen and front entrance also ensures children are safe and secure whilst in her care. In addition, she checks each area of the home on a daily basis before the children arrive to ensure there are no small items which may endanger the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Good interaction from the childminder ensures that children are relaxed, content and feel very much at home. They make regular eye contact and smile and giggle freely in her presence. Children develop a sense of belonging because they are cared for in a family environment and treated as an extension of the childminder's family. The childminder responds positively with affection and talks kindly to them, for example, when they wake up, she cuddles them until they are ready to play and when eating lunch she talks to them about what they are eating. The children have free and closely supervised access to all areas of the home, for example, they play games in the play room and sit quietly in the comfortable lounge to read stories.

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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 Children enjoy playing with a varied range of resources and toys which the childminder provides for them. The children can easily access the toys and resources which are stored at their level to successfully promote their growing independence and help them to make choices. They like to play passing the coloured balls backwards and forwards and enjoy meeting at other childminder's homes to interact with other children and develop their social skills. Although the childminder refers to the 'Birth to three matters' framework when organising activities and play equipment, she is still developing her practice with regard to implementation of the framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder is a good role model for children's behaviour. She talks calmly and quietly to children at all times, listens to them and responds positively and affectionately towards them. The childminder uses different strategies for different age groups. For example, she uses distraction and moving children away from a situation for very young children, timeout and explanation is used for older children. Children are beginning to learn about the local community as they go on regular walks to places of interest. They become aware of wider society as they access suitable books and play resources that show diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works well with children's parents and communicates effectively with them each day to ensure that children's individual needs are met. Letters received from parents who have left the setting report how happy they were with the care the childminder had provided, she was flexible, friendly, reliable and had made their children very welcome in her home. A parent reported that the childminder had good settling in procedures to ensure her child was happy and settled before leaving him in her care. Policies and procedures are available, including a complaints procedure, however, these are not shared effectively with parents to support the care she provides and the system for recording complaints is not yet fully formalised.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from a well organised environment. There is good play space and toys are organised to allow children to access them easily. Children's welfare is protected through the keeping of all necessary records. For example, the keeping of an accident and medication book. However, confidentiality is not maintain when medications have been administered and children's attendance is not always clearly and consistently recorded. Although all documentation is stored securely and confidentially, it is in a disorganised manner.

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Organisation

The children benefit from an experienced childminder. She organises her time well to ensure that children's daily routines are consistent. This give children a sense of time and ensures that they experience stability throughout the day. Children benefit from a high adult child ratio. This allows the childminder to give children plenty of attention and support.

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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 childminder was asked to ensure that records relating to childminding activities are kept on the premises; to extend the range of activities and resources that promote

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Improvements 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 equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice and to keep appropriate signed consent forms.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has taken steps to increase her resources to reflect equality of opportunity and there are appropriate consent forms in place, which have been signed by parents. All records relating to childminding activities are now maintained on the premises. These steps further promote the effective care of the children.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • ensure a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures are ready and available to refer to at all times • continue to develop the range of experiences and activities for younger children, for example, by using the 'Birth to three matters' framework • ensure the complaints procedure is available to parents and further formalize the systems for recording complaints • ensure the daily register of attendance clearly records the times of children's attendance • ensure confidentiality is maintained when recording medication administered.

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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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