Childminder in Middlesbrough

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

312658 Unique Reference Number 06 November 2007 Inspection date Ann Doubleday Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1986. She lives with her husband and their 16 year old daughter in the Acklam area of Middlesbrough. The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time and she is currently minding four pre-school children, three school age children and one child over eight years. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder provides care during school term time only. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends a local toddler group on a weekly basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s health is supported by the encouragement of appropriate personal care routines which also allow them to develop their independence. For example, they are encouraged to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. Appropriate nappy change procedures are in place as nappies are bagged and binned and the childminder sets a good example as she washes her own hands after changing nappies. The childminder has satisfactory procedures in place regarding sick children, administration of medication and accident recording. However, the childminder does not keep the record she makes of times medication is administered. This does not fully support good practice.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy some physical activities that contribute to their good health. There are regular opportunities for them to be outdoors. They play in the garden or park or go for a walk to the local shops, library and school. Children are able to rest or be active according to their individual needs.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's dietary needs are met. The childminder provides a satisfactory range of meals and snacks, for example, she provides fruit and crisps or biscuits for snack. Drinks are offered to the children regularly to ensure they are not thirsty.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children are cared for in a warm and clean home where some risks are identified and minimised. For example, a safety gate is in place at the lounge door and sockets are protected with socket covers. However, hazardous substances and sharp knives are accessible to children in the kitchen and pose a hazard. Children are not kept safe as babies are left in the front garden to sleep and are not in the direct supervision of the childminder. There are satisfactory arrangements in place to keep children safe in the event of a fire. There is appropriate fire safety equipment in place and an emergency evacuation is practised with the children regularly.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A satisfactory range of developmentally appropriate equipment and toys, which are in a safe, well maintained condition, is provided to promote children's development and welfare. Toys are stored in boxes in the lounge for children to access themselves. The childminder monitors children's choice of toys to make sure they are safe and suitable for their age and stage of development. Children enjoy playing with the toys available to them.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect, and the procedure to follow should she have any concerns. She has completed relevant training and has a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures readily available. Consequently, children's welfare is safeguarded.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child development. This means children's personal, social and intellectual development is appropriately supported. However, she has not

p.3

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 fully developed her knowledge of how younger children learn, as she has not started to implement the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Positive relationships have been developed between the childminder and the children, which increases children's sense of trust and this helps them to develop a sense of self. Children's communication skills are developing appropriately as a result of the childminder talking and listening to them. They experience a range of activities which contribute to their development. For example, they have many opportunities to go on outings to the library, toddler group, park and shops. This encourages their physical development. They have some opportunities for creative play as they enjoy playing with play dough and drawing activities.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children freely choose between a selection of toys in the home, for example, construction bricks, play kitchen, games and puzzles. This helps to increase their independence and confidence. The childminder shows an interest in what they do and offers appropriate participation in their activities to support and encourage their interest. For example, when they play with games, she encourages them to recognise numerals. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed into the home and participate in all activities because the childminder values and respects their individuality. The childminder satisfactorily promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, which results in the children feeling welcome at the provision. Children have access to some activities and resources that increase their awareness of diversity.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s behaviour is good, as a result of the childminder being a good role model for the children to follow and her consistent and positive behaviour management strategies. For example, her effective use of praise and encouragement. This ensures that children feel self-assured and supported in what they can and cannot do. Children feel relaxed in the childminder's care.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has developed with parents. Parents' views about their children's needs are sought and the childminder makes time each day to keep them fully informed of the day's activities. The childminder has not specifically provided parents with Ofsted's address and telephone number. This means parents are not fully aware of how to complain to the regulator should they need to do so.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The children are settled with the childminder and in the environment. This means that they are happy in the childminder's care. Indoor space is used appropriately to cater for the children's play needs, however, children are not kept safe as babies are left to sleep in their pram in the front garden and are not supervised. The childminder has completed the mandatory childminder training, including the renewal of her first aid certificate, and keeps her own knowledge up-to-date by attending some further training. The knowledge gained is used to develop the care that is given to the children.

p.4

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 There are effective systems in place for the daily sharing of information with parents about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. However, parents have not been provided with the address and telephone number of the regulator. All legally required records and consents are in place, available for inspection and stored confidentially, however, the record of medication administered is not retained by the childminder and this does not fully support good practice.

p.4

Organisation

Overall, the provision does not meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection actions were raised in relation to National Standard 7:Health and National Standard 14:Documentation. The childminder now has written consent from parents for the administration of medication and records when medication has been given. This means children's health needs are met. She has all the legally required records available in order to meet children's needs.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care, the registered person must take the following actions: • make sure children are not left unsupervised outdoors. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5