Childminder in Redcar and Cleveland

Inspection report for early years provision

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312782 Unique Reference Number 16 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 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 September 1992. She lives with her husband and their two children who are aged nine and 14 years old in the New Marske area of Redcar. The home is within easy reach of local amenities, such as shops, primary school, woods, beach and park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play, to the rear and the side of the property. The family have a pet rabbit which minded children have supervised access to.

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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. However, children over eight years are also cared for. There are currently seven children on roll aged from 14 months to 13 years, most are cared for on a 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. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows good health and hygiene procedures, such as when nappy changing, and ensures that the home is kept very clean and hygienic. Children are encouraged to learn about personal hygiene through the daily routine and wash their hands at appropriate times. Relevant procedures are in place to protect children’s overall health. For example, children with contagious illnesses or conditions are not cared for by the childminder. Accident and medication records are available and are signed by parents. A suitable first aid box is also readily available to safeguard children, following any accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are appropriately nourished. Parents provide all of their child's food and drinks. The childminder provides snacks when necessary, for example, when older children return from school. Snacks tend to be a biscuit, fruit or crackers and drinks are always available for children. The childminder finds out about children's individual dietary requirements from parents and keeps a written record of these, including any family preferences, for when children attend parties at the different play groups that they visit. Children learn about healthy living through general discussions with the childminder about keeping healthy and about what foods are good for them to eat.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to enjoy physical activity. For example, when walking to school, playing on the swings in the play park, walking in the woods and walking to see the horses in a nearby field. They also have access to a good range of outdoor physical play equipment in the garden. Children rest and sleep according to their needs and individual routines and the childminder is well aware of individual sleeping patterns and preferences, such as which children like a dummy or a blanket to help them get to sleep.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Good steps have been taken to ensure that children are cared for in a safe environment. For example, all low level glass is of safety standard, a suitable first aid box, fire blanket and smoke alarms are available and socket covers are in place. Good steps are taken to ensure that children are kept safe when playing outdoors and when on outings. For example, all large play equipment is fixed into the ground in the garden and appropriate car seats and restraints are used to protect children when travelling in the car. However, there is currently a water feature in the garden which children can access.

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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 toys readily available for them in the lounge. They have access to a varied range of toys, which they can change when they wish, and choose different play materials from the storage area to bring into the lounge or conservatory. The childminder ensures that resources are safe and suitable for children's use by taking account of their age and development when planning what resources to make available and when checking play items for any damage. Children learn to keep themselves safe when

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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 involved in fire drills and when the childminder explains other safety issues to them through the daily routine, such as road safety when walking to and from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as the childminder understands her role in relation to child protection issues and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. She demonstrates a good understanding of the different areas of abuse and of possible signs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are involved in a good range of activities that cover all areas of development. For example, they enjoy building with construction items, they play with activity and musical toys and enjoy role play with dolls and accessories. Children also visit various social groups on a regular basis and photographs show them visiting several places of interest, such as a farm, the beach, woods and parks. The childminder has a developing understanding of 'Birth to three matters' and takes the framework into account when providing activities for younger children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop confidence and self-esteem very well when being praised and encouraged by the childminder. They have opportunities to be independent and use their initiative when deciding what they want to play with and when they want to change the toys for others. Some children can also be independent when going to the toilet and washing their own hands, with appropriate supervision from the childminder. Children show an interest in what they do and enjoy the activities available. They respond to challenge and concentrate well when building with bricks. They are acquiring good language and communication skills with help and support from the childminder, who speaks very clearly to the children and gets down at their level so that it is easier for them to hear and understand new words and explanations.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have some opportunities to learn about wider society as some resources are available, such as dolls and books. The childminder also accesses other resources from the toy library and children attend the book library where they are involved in various play sessions, which are often related to wider society. Children are involved in activities relating to their own cultural background when celebrating Easter, Christmas and birthdays.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Equal opportunities are well promoted as all children are included and involved; their individual needs are well met. There are currently no children with learning difficulties, disabilities, or who speak English as an additional language attending the setting. However, the childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for children with additional needs.

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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 and make very positive relationships with adults and peers. Children are well behaved and the childminder manages behaviour effectively. She demonstrates a calm and loving manner with the children and helps them to begin to understand about sharing and taking turns, with appropriate explanations.

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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 The childminder works well in partnership with parents and carers. Parents are kept informed of their child’s development and progress through regular discussions. Contract agreements with parents are in place plus various consent forms and parents receive some written information about the provision.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder ensures that adults caring for children are suitable to do so as both she and her husband have been vetted by the local authority. The childminder has a very positive attitude towards personal development and has undertaken several training courses since her last inspection. For example, training in relation to physical development of children under three years of age, introductory training on 'Birth to three matters' and child protection training. The childminder also has an appropriate first aid certificate and a 'foundation certificate in food hygiene'.

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Organisation

The attendance record indicates that adult to child ratios are maintained. Registers are kept up to date and accurate. The childminder has high regard for the wellbeing of all children and they receive very good adult support and attention.

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Organisation

All documents and records required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available, well kept and up to date. There are also some good practice records available, such as written information for parents about the provision and records relating to the use of a vehicle for childminding purposes. 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 children cannot unlock external doors. Safety has been improved as the premises are kept fully secure.

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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): • ensure that the water feature in the garden does not pose a hazard to 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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