Childminder in Redcar and Cleveland

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

312727 Unique Reference Number 28 June 2007 Inspection date Josephine Ann Northend Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives in Guisborough and has two children of her own aged 16 and 10 years of age. The property is within walking distance of local amenities, including shops, schools and park. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1993 to care for six children. There are currently two children on roll attending, on a part time basis. The childminder collects children from local schools and there are local transport links within walking distance. The family have a pet dog and a guinea pig.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their good health. They enjoy regular visits to the local playgroup and use a range of large equipment in the fully enclosed garden.

p.2

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 This means they have fresh air and exercise each day and their physical development is promoted. Children are able to rest and be active according to their individual needs.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. The childminder has good hygiene routines in place to protect and promote children's health. There are clear policies and procedures in place regarding sick children, medication and accident recording, this means children's health needs are met. Procedures followed by the childminder result in children being protected from the spread of infection, for example, as they learn why they need to wash their hands. This helps them gain an understanding of hygiene and increases their independence in personal care.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrated good understanding of healthy eating and she works with parents to ensure children's individual dietary needs are met. Parents have chosen to provide packed lunches; this means they know exactly what their child has eaten. Children can freely access drinks throughout the day.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming home where most risks are identified and minimised. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. Children have use of a large trampoline in the childminder's garden and a risk assessment has been completed, however, the childminder has not informed her insurance company of this high risk activity.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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. Toys and resources are stored so that children can reach them easily, make choices and develop their independence.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected. The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities with regards to child protection. All required procedures and documentation are in place.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have very good relationships with the childminder and are well settled and happy in her care. Children learn to be increasingly independent as a result of the consistent support, praise and encouragement given to them, for example, when they are included in daily tasks. Communication skills are well supported through good adult-child interactions.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of how children learn and she is very aware of the children's developmental stages. A good range of interesting activities are undertaken which take into account children's individual interests. The childminder makes use of the local amenities to further enhance children's experiences, for example, toddler groups. However, the childminder ensures new children are well settled and secure with her prior to introducing them to these groups.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities and play opportunities are purposeful and developmentally appropriate, resulting in children being motivated and interested. Children are involved in a wide range of activities that promote learning in all areas of their development.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice appropriately. This means children feel valued and free from discrimination. They access a varied range of activities and some resources, which increases their awareness of diversity. The childminder has a very positive attitude towards caring for all children.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. The childminder helps them to negotiate and take responsibility for their own behaviour by supporting them, being a positive role model and encouraging the children to share. The childminder uses her experience well to provide a positive atmosphere in which children can feel relaxed and secure.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has developed with their parents. Parents are kept fully informed of how their child has been; this enables the childminder to meet each child's needs well.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are settled with the childminder and in the environment. This means that they are happy in their play. Space is used appropriately to cater for the children's play needs. They are able to move around confidently. Adult to child ratios are maintained and the childminder organises her time appropriately to meet the individual needs of the children.

p.4

Organisation

All required documents are in place but the medication and accident records do not fully support confidentiality, and although verbal consents have been obtained from parents whose children are attending on a short term temporary basis, they have not been gained in writing. This means the care of all children is not fully promoted. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain parents written consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and to ensure the premises are secure so that children are not able to leave them unsupervised.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The premises are now secure, the front entrance is locked and the garden is secure. This means children cannot leave unsupervised. Consent is obtained from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for most children, however, it is not in place for children who attend on short term, temporary basis. This means the care of all children is not fully promoted.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 insurance cover extends to children using the large trampoline in the garden • ensure appropriate consents are obtained for all children • further develop systems to ensure record keeping supports confidentiality.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5