Childminder in Middlesbrough

Inspection report for early years provision

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312816 Unique Reference Number 18 June 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 has been registered since July 2000. She lives in the Acklam area of Middlesbrough with her husband and their four children who are aged nine, 12, 15 and 17 years. The home is close to local amenities, such as schools, library, shops, toddler groups and park. Minded children have the use of the whole of the ground floor of the house plus the enclosed rear garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is now registered to care for up to six children under eight years at any one time and there are currently 11 children on roll aged from one to nine years, all are cared for on a part- time basis. The family have a cat, which minded children have supervised access to. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding group.

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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 satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder ensures that the premises and equipment are kept clean. Appropriate health and hygiene procedures are followed, such as thorough cleaning of equipment after meal times. Older children understand the importance of good health and hygiene practices, such as regular hand washing and good hygiene practices are included in the childminder's healthy and safety policy. Appropriate written procedures are in place to protect children’s overall health, such as the sick child policy and accident and medication records are also available.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are appropriately nourished. Parents of younger children provide all of their food and drinks. The childminder provides snacks for older children returning from school. Healthy snacks of fruit are available as well as crisps and plain biscuits. The childminder finds out about children's individual dietary requirements or family preferences from parents and these are recorded on each child's registration form, for example, any special diets, allergies or health problems. Children have regular opportunities to enjoy physical activity when playing in the garden and walking to the shops or the park. They also rest and sleep according to their needs and individual routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Good steps are taken to ensure that children are cared for in a safe environment. For example, the premises are kept secure with a suitable first aid box and fire blanket and smoke alarms are available. The childminder wishes to include the study room in the registration so that it can be used by the children. However, there are some items in the room that need to made inaccessible to children before use. Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that children are kept safe when playing outdoors and when on outings. For example, the rear garden is kept secure and is free from obvious hazards. The childminder has appropriate car safety seats and vehicle insurance available. Children learn to keep themselves safe when involved in fire drills.

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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 activities and play materials readily available for them. Children have easy access to a good range of toys, equipment and furniture, including a good range of outdoor play equipment. The childminder ensures that resources are safe and suitable for children's use with regular checking routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected, 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 main areas of abuse and of possible signs and a child protection statement is available in the policy file for parents.

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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 are observed drawing, listening to stories, participating in role play and enjoy singing and action rhymes. The childminder is also preparing a vegetable patch in the garden for the children to plant and grow different vegetables.

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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 develop confidence and self-esteem well when being praised and encouraged by the childminder. They show interest in what they do, respond to challenge and concentrate well when drawing and singing. Children have opportunities to be independent and use their initiative when deciding what to play with. They are acquiring new skills and knowledge with support from the childminder, such as learning to name colours and pronounce words clearly.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have some opportunities to learn about wider society and begin to appreciate their own culture and the cultural traditions of others. For example, they are involved in activities relating to Easter and Chinese New Year and have access to some resources which reflect wider society, such as books, dolls and play people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Equal opportunities is well promoted as all children are included and involved, their individual needs are being met. There are currently no children with any learning difficulties or disabilities attending, however, the childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for children with additional needs and has had experience of this in the past.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy being with the childminder and enjoy the activities available. They present themselves as being settled and happy and make positive relationships with the childminder and with peers. Children are well behaved and the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to manage behaviour appropriately and promote a positive environment. She agrees behaviour management procedures with parents to ensure that children receive consistent messages.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works well in partnership with parents and carers. They are kept informed of their child’s development and progress through regular discussions. The childminder has appropriate policy documents in place for parents to read. Various consent forms are available from parents and contract agreements are in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder ensures that adults caring for children are suitable to do so as all persons in the household over 16 years have been appropriately vetted. The childminder has a positive attitude towards personal development and has undertaken additional training since the last inspection. For example, she has attended a 'sharing together and supporting inclusion' conference and is currently doing a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3. The childminder also has a suitable first aid qualification.

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Organisation

Attendance records and observation indicate that adult to child ratios are effectively maintained. The childminder has high regard for the well-being of all children and they receive good adult support and attention. All documents and records required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available, well kept and up to date. 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 previous inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that the first aid kit is organised and does not contain family medication and to keep Ofsted informed of any significant events.

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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 The organisation of the provision has improved as both of these recommendations have been fully addressed.

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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): • take steps to ensure that the study room is safe for children's use prior to it being included in the registration.

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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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