Childminder in Redcar and Cleveland

Inspection report for early years provision

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312751 Unique Reference Number 24 October 2007 Inspection date Josephine Ann Northend 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 1987, she lives in a house in Marske within easy walking distance of local amenities including shops, schools, library and beach. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding activities. This includes the through lounge-dining room and utility area. There is an enclosed side garden available for children to play outdoors.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the local childminding group. Appropriate provision is made for the two cats and guinea pig that the minded children have supervised access to.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently six children under eight years on roll who attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder also cares for three children who are over eight years.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has good hygiene routines in place to protect and promote children's health, for example, food hygiene. Clear procedures are in place regarding sick children, medication

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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 and accident recording. This ensures 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 after touching the cats and guinea pig.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a varied range of activities which contribute to their good health. They enjoy regular visits to the local amenities, including parks and beach. Children walk to and from school each day and use a range of large equipment in the enclosed garden, for example, wheeled toys. 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.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of healthy eating and she works with parents to ensure children's individual dietary needs are met. The childminder ensures children receive a varied and nutritious diet and they have access to drinks throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. 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. A range of toys and resources are set out so that children can reach them easily, make choices and develop their independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a clean, well maintained home where most risks are identified and minimised. This means children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. However, the lock on the bathroom door presents as a safety hazard as it is accessible to children and cannot be opened from the outside. A detailed fire plan is in place. Emergency evacuation procedures are practised regularly with the children and the record is maintained clearly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required procedures and documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded. They are well protected as the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities with regards to child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well settled and happy in the childminder's care. They have warm relationships with the childminder and they learn to be increasingly independent as a result of the support, praise and encouragement given to them, for example, when young children are toilet training. Communication skills are well supported through good adult-child interactions. The childminder is very interested in what the children have to say and she extends the children's thoughts and ideas through participating in their role play. This contributes to their sense of belonging.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how children learn and she is aware of the children's developmental stages. An interesting range of activities are planned and undertaken which take into account children's individual interests. The childminder makes good use of the local amenities to further enhance children's experiences, for example, the children enjoy playing in the leaves at a local park.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities and play opportunities are purposeful and developmentally appropriate, resulting in children acquiring new skills and knowledge. The children receive good support from the childminder and they are involved in a wide range of activities that promote learning.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about the local and wider society through the resources and activities provided by the childminder. These include visits in the local and wider community. The childminder promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice as she ensures all children are fully involved in the life of the setting, this means they feel valued and free from discrimination. The childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for all children, including those with physical disabilities or learning difficulties.

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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 and care for one another. The childminder uses her experience well to provide a positive atmosphere in which children can feel relaxed and secure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has developed with their parents. An information sheet provides information about the childminder and her service and verbal information is shared each day. This enables the childminder to meet each child's individual needs.

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Organisation

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

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Organisation

The childminder keeps her own knowledge up to date by attending regular training, the knowledge gained is used to enhance the care that is given to the children. All required records are in place and are maintained appropriately. This safeguards children's welfare and ensures parents are informed of their children's progress. 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 last inspection the childminder was asked to improve record keeping and safety. All required records are in place including parental consents and the names of people who may collect the children. The register now clearly shows the times of children's attendance. This promotes their welfare. The front entrance to the property is now locked. This means children cannot leave unsupervised. The key to the door is kept accessible to the childminder and older children so that it can be easily used if needed in an emergency.

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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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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

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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): • make sure the lock on the bathroom door is made safe or inaccessible to children.

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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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