Childminder in North East Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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205638 Unique Reference Number 18 January 2008 Inspection date Kathryn Margaret Clayton 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 satisfactory. 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 1991. She lives in Grimsby with her husband and their two teenaged children. Childminding takes place on the ground floor of the property. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children. Currently, there are eight children on roll. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family have one dog, one cat and several hamsters. The childminder holds a National Vocational Qualification level 3 in Childcare and Education.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a suitable level of activity during fine weather. They play in the garden, use the local park, enjoy walks to the beach and use an activity centre. However, their everyday opportunities to be physically active are limited during poor weather and the winter months. Children start to learn about maintaining suitable personal hygiene routines when in the childminder's care. They learn about the importance of washing their hands after going to 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 toilet and before eating and use individual paper towels to dry their hands, so helping to reduce the risk of cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit because they are provided with mainly healthy snacks and meals. These include roast dinners with fresh vegetables and spaghetti Bolognese. Snacks include yoghurts, fruit and biscuits. Children drink regularly in accordance with parents' wishes. Most of the documentation relating to children's health is correctly maintained. This includes accident and medication records. There is a suitable sick children policy and the childminder maintains a current understanding of first aid procedures. However, she does not obtain written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment in the future.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in an environment that is tidy and homely. They access two rooms that give them adequate freedom of movement. Children enjoy playing with toys that are of suitable quality, such as a large dolls' house and a treasure basket. They have access to some suitable books that they share with the childminder. Most aspects of children's safety in the home have been considered by the childminder. For example, there is a safety gate to deny children access to the stairway. The childminder has a fire blanket readily available within the kitchen, there is a written evacuation procedure that is practised with the children every few months and the garden area is fully secure. However, keys remain in the lock of the main exit door and this is a risk to children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Parents have given written permission for their children to be with the family dog. However, although babies and young children are always within sight of the childminder, she does not constantly and very closely supervise them when the family dog is in the room. For example, when she takes one child to the toilet she can see other very young children but is not close to them. This is a risk to children's safety. Children are safeguarded because the childminder understands her responsibilities with regard to noticing signs and symptoms of abuse and is aware of the agencies to contact should she have any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled in the childminder's care and enjoy a stable routine, which includes visits to another childminder's home. Children's care needs and comfort come first as the childminder immediately ensures nappies are changed when soiled. They enjoy choosing from a suitable range of toys and equipment within the lounge. For example, they enjoy sharing books with the childminder, building with bricks and playing imaginatively. The childminder provides a suitable range of activities and involves all the children who are attending. For example, babies and young children all have the opportunity to make marks with coloured pens and paper.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are supported as they play by the childminder, who helps them to name colours and identify shapes, for example. Older children have the opportunity to choose what they would like to do. In the short time they are at the childminder's home after school they choose to relax and watch television, do their homework or draw. During the school holidays the childminder provides opportunities for children to say what they would like to do, for example, complete craft activities, or in the fine weather visit the local woods with a picnic.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a relaxed and calm atmosphere where they have equal access to play materials, although children have limited opportunities to play with resources that raise their awareness of our diverse society and reflect a positive image of disability. Children learn about acceptable behaviour when in the childminder's care. They are prompted to use good manners, for example, to ask if they can get down from the dining table, and are praised when they help to clear away their toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit because parents are happy with the care their children receive. There is a written agreement with the childminder and some details of the activities she provides. The childminder make sure parents are fully aware of their child's time with her through daily discussions. Parents are made aware of how to contact the regulator should they wish to make a complaint. However, there is no system in place to record and investigate complaints made to the childminder that relate to the National Standards.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit because they are cared for by a childminder who undertakes additional training. Courses the childminder has attended since the last inspection includes training in autism awareness, healthy eating and the 'Birth to three matters' framework. The indoor space is suitably organised with children having access to two rooms where they have adequate space to eat, rest and play.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps all of the required documentation and has addressed most of the recommendations from the last inspection. Children's details are kept confidentially and the register of children's attendance is accurately maintained. 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 a number of recommendations were giving relating to safety, health and resources. Since last inspection children's safety has improved as the outdoor areas are safe and the shed is locked. The lock on the bathroom door has been moved so children are unable to lock themselves in. Children's health has improved as the pet litter tray and food is kept away from the childminding areas. Parents now give written permission for the childminder to administer first aid. Children still have no access to resources that reflect a positive image of disability.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been three complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

A concern was raised under National Standard 6: Safety. An unannounced visit was made by a childcare inspector on 16 November 2005 to the provision to discuss the concerns. Appropriate actions were agreed to meet the National Standards. At the time that this investigation was concluded Ofsted were satisfied that the provider remained qualified for registration.

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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 Ofsted received concerns relating to National Standard 1: Suitable person, National Standard 6: Safety and National Standard 12: Working in partnership with parents and carers. A childcare inspector visited the provision on 23 April 2007. An action was raised and satisfactorily met by the registered person. At the time that this investigation was concluded Ofsted were satisfied that the provider remained qualified for registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted received concerns relating to National Standard 1: Suitable Person and National Standard 14: Documentation. An Ofsted inspector visited the provision on the 1 October 2007. Actions were raised and satisfactorily met by the registered provider. At the time that this investigation was concluded Ofsted were satisfied that the provider remained qualified for registration.

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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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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 satisfactory. 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 children have regular physical play opportunities throughout the year • obtain written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice in the future • ensure very close supervision of babies and young children when the family dog is with them • ensure keys do not remain in the main exit door • provide more resources that raise children's awareness of diversity and reflect a positive image of disability • devise a system to record and investigate complaints made that relate to the National Standards.

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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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