Childminder in Middlesbrough

Inspection report for early years provision

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500949 Unique Reference Number 19 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 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 February 2001. She lives with her husband and their four children, who are twins aged 12 years, a 10 year old and a baby of eight months. The family live in the Coulby Newham area of Middlesbrough and have two dogs and a cat which minded children have supervised access to.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The home is situated a short distance from local amenities including schools, parks, library, leisure centre and shops. The whole of the house is used for childminding purposes, with the exception of the lounge and master bedroom. Bathroom facilities are available on both floors. There is also a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for up to five children from one year to under eight years, at any one time, and can also provide overnight care for one child under eight years. There are currently six children on roll aged from two to ten 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 ensures that the home and equipment are kept thoroughly clean. Good hygiene procedures are followed when snacks and meals are prepared and older children understand the importance of simple, personal hygiene routines. Appropriate procedures are in place to protect children’s overall health, for example, the exclusion of children with contagious illnesses or conditions. Accident and medication records are also available and are well kept and up to date.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. The childminder provides a good range of healthy and nutritious two course meals and fruit for snacks. Snack and lunch time is observed to be a sociable and relaxed occasion with the childminder sitting with children and chatting whilst they eat. She finds out about children's individual dietary requirements from parents and these are recorded on each child's registration form. Children learn about healthy living when the childminder talks to them about good foods to eat and why exercise is important.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to enjoy physical activity. They go for different outings every afternoon, for example, to the park, to playgroups, to soft play areas and play in the garden when the weather is dry. Children 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 is kept secure, a suitable first aid box, fire blanket and smoke alarms are available. Socket covers are in place plus some safety gates. Good steps are taken to ensure that children are kept safe when playing outdoors and when on outings. The childminder talks to the children about road safety, she has appropriate car safety seats available, and the rear garden is fully enclosed and is kept free from obvious hazards. 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

The environment is very warm and welcoming for the children with an excellent range of toys and play materials readily available for them in a designated playroom. A good range of outdoor play equipment is also available. Children have easy access to the toys and the childminder ensures that resources are safe and suitable for use with regular checking and cleaning routines.

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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 local procedures into practice when necessary. She demonstrates a good understanding of the main 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 and outings that cover all areas of development. For example, regular visits to the park, a nature centre, soft play areas and toddler groups. When in the house children are involved in interesting and stimulating activities with the childminder, such as building with bricks, fitting together jigsaw puzzles and general play with the excellent range of resources available.

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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 when being praised and encouraged by the childminder. For example, when helping to tidy toys away and when eating all of their lunch. Children show a lot of interest in what they do. They respond to challenge and concentrate well when involved in construction activities. They have opportunities to be independent and use their initiative, such as when choosing what colour plates they want and when younger children have opportunities to feed themselves at lunch time.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have appropriate opportunities to learn about wider society and begin to appreciate their own culture and the cultural traditions of others through the range of resources available, such as books, dolls and jigsaw puzzles. They learn about their own cultural traditions when making Christmas cards and painting eggs at Easter time.

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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 the setting, however, the childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for children with these needs and has had experience of this in the past.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children thoroughly enjoy being with the childminder and enjoy the activities available. They are settled and happy and make positive relationships with the childminder and with peers. Children are well behaved. The childminder has a very calm manner which helps to promote a relaxed and friendly environment. She demonstrates a good understanding of appropriate strategies for managing behaviour and promoting a positive environment.

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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. Several consent forms from parents are available and contract agreements are in place. The childminder provides good written information for parents about the provision, including a complaints procedure. She also receives useful written information about each child, which is used as a basis for their individual care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder ensures that adults caring for children are suitable to do so, as both she and her husband have been appropriately vetted. The childminder has a positive attitude towards personal development and has undertaken additional training since her last inspection, for example, 'Birth to three matters' and first aid.

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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. However, the childminder did not inform Ofsted of the birth of her fourth child. The childminder has high regard for the well-being of all children and they receive very good adult support and attention. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that child protection procedures contain all relevant contact details. The organisation of the provision has now improved as this recommendation has 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 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): • inform Ofsted of any significant events.

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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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