Childminder in Redcar and ClevelandOfsted inspection, 28 Jun 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY221370 Inspection date 28 June 2005 Inspector Elaine Marie McDonnell

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 June 2002. She lives in a semi-detached house in Guisborough, Cleveland with her husband and two sons who are aged 17 and 6 years. The family have a rabbit, guinea pig a tortoise and a dog that minded children have supervised access to. The lounge/diner is the main area used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The home is close to a play park, local shops and nearby primary schools include Belmont and High Cliff.

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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 The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time and currently has three children on role aged from three and a half to six years.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The home is clean and well maintained and the childminder implements good hygiene routines that promote children's health and well being. Appropriate procedures and documentation are in place for the management of medication and the prevention and treatment of illness. Children's physical skills are appropriately promoted through various, regular opportunities for exercise and energetic play for example, when indoors they do dancing to Tweenies and often play in the garden and local park. The childminder promotes children's growth and health well by providing varied and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks. She also ensures a quiet and appropriate environment for the children when they need to rest, adjusting the temperature in accordance with the weather.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in warm and welcoming environment that is safe and secure. The childminder has a good understanding of how to keep children safe both indoors and when on outings and possible risks have been identified and minimised to ensure safe surroundings. The childminder's first aid certificate expired in April and she is booked onto another course to renew this in July. There is a good range of suitable and stimulating toys readily available and easily accessible for children. The childminder ensures these remain safe and hygienic with regular checking routines. Children learn about keeping themselves safe when they are involved in fire drills with the childminder. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection and ensures that all required procedures and documentation are in place for the promotion of children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are involved in a varied and interesting range of activities and play experiences, including lots of craft activities, that help them develop new skills and build on existing skills. For example, learning to use scissors and developing pencil

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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 control for drawing and colouring. The childminder has recently attended a Birth to 3 Matters training session and intends to incorporate the framework when caring for younger children. Children's confidence and self esteem are well promoted for example, the childminder allows children to go to the bathroom by themselves if they want to, whilst she supervises from an appropriate position at the bottom of the stairs. She praised a child's efforts when he made a horse from play dough and when he stated that it wasn't a very good horse the childminder convincingly told him that it was a good horse and he then seemed very pleased with his efforts. Children enjoy a good relationship with the childminder and she follows their lead by being as involved in their play as they want her to be. For example, a child

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

sometimes wanted her to help him make animals from play dough and some of the time he just wanted her to watch him. Children receive good, appropriate support and attention.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are valued and included and the childminder has a good understanding of their individual routines and personal circumstances for example, she is mindful that one of the children's grandmothers has gone away on holiday and that he may be missing her. The childminder works well in partnership with parents and information is shared effectively to ensure that the needs of the children are fully understood and met. The childminder has a good understanding of how to manage children's behaviour appropriately. Children are very well behaved and their confidence and self esteem are well promoted. Children learn about preferred codes of behaviour with gentle and timely reminders from the childminder for example, by being reminded to say please when asking for things. Information is shared effectively between the childminder and parents to ensure that children's individual needs are well met e.g. dietary and health information is included

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a professional attitude towards her role and is keen to improve the service she provides by attending additional training. Since her last inspection she has completed a Developing Childminding Practice course, attended Birth to 3 Matters training sessions plus a workshop about musical instruments and dancing and a Business Success for Childcare course. The care and environment is well organised, the childminder has high regard for the well-being of all the children and ensures that ratios are maintained. The individual

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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 needs of the children attending are well met. All required documentation is available plus some good practice documents and records. All are comprehensive, well kept, well presented and promote the safe and efficient management of the provision. The registration certificate is available for parents to see however it was not displayed at the time of the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Good progress has been made since the last inspection and both recommendations have been addressed. The organisation of the provision has improved as the attendance register is completed each day and the childminder has written consent from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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 registration certificate is displayed

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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