Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for early years provision

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305724 Unique Reference Number 03 September 2007 Inspection date Ann Coggin 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 June 1994. She lives with her husband, adult daughter and seven-year-old daughter in the High Grange area of Billingham. The whole of the ground floor and the front bedroom are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for eight children part time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is member of the Association of Billingham and Norton Childminders and of the Stockton Childminding Network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean home which contributes to their good health. Children's understanding of good personal hygiene is raised through the childminder explaining the

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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 importance of following daily routines, such as ensuring children wash their hands before meals and snacks and after using the toilet. Younger children use antiseptic wipes whilst older children use disposable kitchen towel to prevent cross infection. There are good hygiene practices in place for nappy changing. The childminder has clear procedures in place regarding sick children, medication and accident recording. Children are well protected in the event of an accident as the childminder has completed an appropriate first aid course.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from daily fresh air which contributes to their good health. They go for walks around the area and play outside in the garden with a good selection of toys and equipment to promote their physical skills, such as a slide, climbing house and sit and ride toys. Children are able to rest or be active according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a sound awareness of healthy eating and provides nutritious meals and snacks whilst taking into account children's likes and dislikes and any special dietary requirements. Children enjoy healthy, homemade meals and are offered fruit at snack time. Children have their own cups and are able to help themselves to drinks throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and safe environment where risks have been identified and minimised enabling children to move around freely, safely and independently. The main entrance is secure, a stair gate prevents children from accessing the stairs and all dangerous substances are inaccessible to children. The childminder has fitted smoke alarms which are checked regularly and a fire blanket is situated in the kitchen. There is an emergency evacuation procedure in place, which she practises with the children to ensure they are safe in an emergency. Children are kept safe outdoors both in the childminder's garden and on outings as there are suitable procedures in place. Children learn how to keep themselves safe as the childminder teaches them to stop, look and listen when they cross roads. Written consents for transporting children and taking children on outings are in place ensuring children's welfare is

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play safely with a range of appropriate toys and resources which are well maintained and in a safe condition. They are organised to allow children easy access to them to promote children's independence. They are cleaned regularly and checked to ensure they are safe to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively protected because the childminder has recently attended safeguarding children training and understands her responsibilities with regard to child protection. She has a written statement which is shared with parents and is aware of the procedures to be followed should a concern arise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of the developmental needs of young children and uses her experience and training to provide good quality care for children. Children are interested in the toys and resources available and approach the childminder happily to ask for her to join in their play, for example, in completing a jigsaw and joining in with the role play game. Children are developing their language well as the childminder constantly talks to them and waits and

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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 listens to their responses. She promotes children's language through everyday activities encouraging children to repeat colours, words and numbers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy being with the childminder and they are happy, settled and secure with her. Close and caring relationships have been developed between the children and the childminder which increases children's sense of trust. The childminder takes time to get to know the children well. She listens to them, responds to their non-verbal clues and interacts with them during their play. Children respond well to her calm manner; they enjoy cuddles and smile and laugh as they are praised and encouraged.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a good variety of interesting activities both inside and outside the home which contributes to children's all round development. For example, children take part in outings to places, such as the beach, parks, soft play areas and attend toddler groups, where they learn to socialise and share toys and resources. Activities, such as playing with musical instruments, dressing up and baking are fun and purposeful and as a result children are motivated and interested to learn.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder's written equal opportunities policy is shared with parents. She values and respects diversity and teaches children to respect and care for others and accept differences. Children's individual needs are met and all are valued and respected, the childminder acknowledging no two children are the same. They access a range of resources which increase their awareness of diversity, such as books, dolls, small world people and dressing up clothes. Children learn about the local community as they take part in walks around the area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing a good understanding of what is right and wrong through the consistent approach the childminder has to managing behaviour. Children's self esteem and confidence is promoted through the childminder's use of positive praise and encouragement and rewarding of good behaviour. The childminder acts as a good role model and encourages children to share and take turns, resulting in children behaving well and being kind and considerate to others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents and strong relationships have been established. Individual diaries are maintained for young children to ensure children's individual needs are recorded, such as meals, sleep and activities. Policies and procedures have been developed to reflect practice and these are effectively shared with parents as they are given their own copy, contributing to an effective partnership. The childminder has a written complaints procedure and has the Ofsted poster displayed in the playroom for parents, however, the complaints log does not reflect recent changes to guidance.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home in the relaxed and well organised environment, resulting in them being confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder ensures children have sufficient space to play safely and freely. The childminder is committed to ongoing personal development and children benefit from her desire to update her knowledge and skills by attending workshops. For example, she has recently attended food hygiene, first aid, safeguarding children, and obtained a level three childcare qualification.

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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 Documentation is well organised and securely stored to ensure confidentiality. Children's personal records are up date and shared regularly with parents to keep them fully informed of their child's care. The record of attendance is accurately maintained, ratios are adhered to and all adults within the home have under gone suitable checks. The childminder's registration certificate is clearly displayed.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure the record of attendance is accurate. Times of arrival and departure are accurately recorded to ensure children's safety.

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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 to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a log 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): • develop the complaints log.

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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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