Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for early years provision

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305830 Unique Reference Number 23 August 2007 Inspection date Pauline Pinnegar 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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 December 2000. She lives with her husband and her two sons aged 12 years and eight years old in a house in Ingleby Barwick. The ground floor and upstairs bathroom and one bedroom is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently eight children on roll aged from 15 months to 11 years old. Children are cared for on both a part-time basis and full-time basis. The childminder takes and collects children to and from her local primary school. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and Yarm Childminding Group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. The children are cared for in a very clean and well maintained environment. The childminder understands and follows good hygiene routines and as a result, the children's health is promoted.

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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 For example, she ensures that the children wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet facilities. Children are not adequately protected because the childminder does not hold a current first aid qualification, which is a breach of the requirements for registration. Arrangements for administering medication are discussed with parents. The required documentation is in place. Systems are in place to obtain prior written parental consent to administer medication, and permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment as required.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are met effectively as these are discussed in detail with parents. A range of healthy and nutritious snacks and meals are provided by the childminder. Snacks include fresh fruit and raisins. Children are involved in food preparation, such as buttering the bread for their sandwiches and chopping mushrooms for their meal. This all helps to raise children's awareness of the importance of a healthy diet and of what foods are good for them. The childminder ensures children are provided with regular drinks so they do not become thirsty. She is currently promoting drinking water instead of sugary juice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy many imaginatively planned outings and outdoor experiences, especially during school holidays. They visit local soft play centres and Natures World. They love going to the local park and to the woods, where they climb on the climbing frame and play football. They enjoy lots of active play in the garden, using a range of equipment, including a large trampoline. The childminder works with parents to ensure that children's sleep routines are consistent, for example, by providing sleep facilities which suit their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe and secure indoor environment because the childminder takes appropriate steps to minimise hazards. For example, safety gates are used to limit access to the stairs when younger children are present and the outer doors are kept locked at all times. In addition, the childminder is always with the children as they play to ensure that potential risks are avoided. The childminder occasionally uses her vehicle to take children on outings and she has written consent from parents. Fire safety precautions, such as a fire blanket and smoke detectors, are in place and the childminder has given some thought to how she and the children will escape in an emergency. Children take part in regular fire drills to raise their awareness should an emergency arise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The indoor and outdoor equipment available meets the required safety standards and the childminder maintains and cleans the toys and resources on a regular basis. However, the trampoline is currently in need of repair and parents have only given verbal consent for their children to use this piece of equipment. The children safely access a suitable range of toys and resources because they are stored at their level. Equipment and toys are rotated and children are able to choose from what is available each day. Storage arrangements allow for children to reach toys and resources easily, to make choices and to develop their independence. Children are developing an awareness of how to keep themselves safe. For example, their awareness of road safety is raised as they walk to and from school and on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's clear awareness of her responsibilities within child protection procedures. She has recently accessed training to update her knowledge of the procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She is very clear about the action to take if she has concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. Close and caring relationships increase children’s sense of trust. They are comfortable and confident in their surroundings and very much at home. The childminder responds well to children's individual needs, such as rest and mealtimes, and works closely with parents to ensure children's routines are maintained as much as possible to promote their welfare. There is a suitable range of age-appropriate resources, which the childminder makes available to them each day. She knows what they enjoy doing and provides resources accordingly. For example, they successfully build the train track, and thoroughly enjoy using the doctors set, pretending to take temperatures and playing with the stethoscope and bleeper.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses her experience and her sound knowledge of children's development to ensure she meets their needs and provides fun experiences. There are warm and friendly relationships between the children, the childminder and her family. She ensures that the children enjoy good quality interactions during their time in her care. The children are confident to ask for help as they play and the childminder is on hand to support them, listening carefully to what they say and talking to them about what they are doing. The childminder provides a variety of creative activities, such as drawing, painting and model building. Older children enjoy creating with hammer beads, tapestry and mosaic kits. Younger children have good fun dressing up as Cinderella and playing with the handbags from the imaginative dressing up box. Children also take part in range of outings, such as trips to a local farm, Newby Hall, and adventure play

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for by a childminder who understands that they have differing needs. Children's awareness of the community is developed because the childminder takes them out in the local area to visit local amenities, such as the library, toddler groups and parks. There is a range of resources, for example, books and small world toys, to promote the children's awareness of other people, disability and the world around them. Children also celebrate festivals, such as Chinese New Year and Divali, taking part in range of fun activities. For example, children had fortune cookies and made dragons.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good, they respond well to the childminder who enjoys getting down at their level and joining in their play. Praise and encouragement are given freely and this encourages the children to concentrate and persevere at chosen tasks. The childminder uses a consistent approach to deal with unwanted behaviour, which helps the children understand what is expected.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Positive partnerships have been established with parents to help promote children's well-being, development and progress. Good quality documentation ensures that parents are well informed of the setting's policies and procedures. Detailed verbal information is exchanged daily to keep parents fully informed of their child's care and learning. The childminder also completes written daily diaries for children under three years. There is a clear written complaints procedure in place for parents information. The childminder has not as yet, developed a system for recording complaints. However, there have been no complaints to date.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children are cared for within a well organised, homely environment. Their individual needs are supported by flexible and child-led planning. The childminder plans her days to ensure they are varied and fun for the children, this includes home-based play, outings to the local park and opportunities for them to socialise with other children. As a result, the children are confident and happy.

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Organisation

The childminder does not fully understand all the requirements in the National Standards and as a result has not informed Ofsted of a significant incident whilst caring for the children. In addition, she does maintain an up-to-date first aid certificate, which are breaches in regulation. Comprehensive policies and procedures are displayed for parents information. Clear written agreements inform all aspects of the childminder's practice. All required documentation, which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being, is in place. However, the record of children's attendance is not completely accurate. Documentation is organised and records are easily accessible.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision does not meet 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 up-to-date information regarding local child protection procedures is available; ensure the written consent from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment is worded appropriately; ensure the record of attendance is clear and shows the exact times that children are cared for.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A clear, well written child protection policy is now in place. It includes all relevant contact numbers and is easily accessible. This has improved children's safety and welfare. Clear written parental consent is now in place to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. This contributes to effective partnerships with parents and children's individual health needs. Although a record of children's attendance is maintained, this is not accurate as times of arrival and departure are completed at the end of each day.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 complaint 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • provide an action plan to show how and when an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children will be completed • improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations and set in place a procedure to notify Ofsted of relevant matters, such as a serious accident of a child cared for. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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