Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for early years provision

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305830 Unique Reference Number 21 April 2008 Inspection date Elaine Marie McDonnell 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 December 2000. She lives with her husband and her two sons, who are aged 12 and eight years, in the Ingleby Barwick area of Stockton-on-Tees. Children have the use of the ground floor, a bathroom and bedroom on the first floor and an 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 six children under eight years at any one time. There are currently seven children on roll aged from almost two years to 11 years, most are cared for on a part-time basis outside of school hours. 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 good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows good hygiene procedures to ensure that the home and equipment are kept clean. Children are beginning to understand the importance

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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 of simple, good health and hygiene practices, such as hand washing and cleaning of noses, as this is promoted throughout the daily routine. Good written procedures are in place to protect children’s overall health, for example, the exclusion of children with certain illnesses. Accident and medication records are available and are well completed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. Diaries show that children attending all day receive a varied range of nutritious snacks and two course lunches. Older children attending after school receive a snack and a drink. The childminder finds out about individual dietary requirements or family preferences from parents and these are adhered to.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to enjoy physical activity. For example, when playing in the garden and when visiting soft play areas and different social groups on a regular basis. Children rest and sleep according to their needs and individual routines, which the childminder is aware of.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that children are cared for in a safe environment. For example, the premises are kept secure, a suitable first aid box, fire blanket and smoke alarms are available. However, cleaning fluids are currently accessible in the kitchen. Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that children are kept safe when playing outdoors and when on outings, for example, the rear garden is kept secure and appropriate car safety seats are available, however, the garage is not secure at the time of the inspection. Children learn to keep themselves safe when involved in fire drills, which are recorded, and they also learn about road safety when walking to and from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The environment is warm and welcoming for the children with a varied range of toys and equipment readily available for them in the lounge. The childminder ensures that resources are safe and suitable for children's use through checking and cleaning routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are appropriately protected. The childminder understands her role in relation to child protection issues and is able to put local procedures into practice when necessary. She demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of the different areas of abuse and of possible signs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are involved in a varied range of activities that cover all areas of development. For example, they are observed participating well in role play and playing cooperatively together with a play kitchen and food. They also enjoy playing with car mats and vehicles. Photographs show children involved in dressing up activities, vegetable printing with paint, visiting local soft play and social groups, participating in different craft and construction activities and baking.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop confidence and self-esteem appropriately when being praised by the childminder. They show interest in what they do and enjoy the resources available. Children respond to challenge and concentrate well when involved in different role play activities. They have appropriate opportunities to learn about wider society and begin to appreciate their own culture and the cultural traditions of others. For example, when involved in activities relating

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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 to Chinese New Year and Diwali, as well as activities which relate to their own cultural background, such as Christmas, Father's Day, Mother's Day and Easter.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Equal opportunity is appropriately promoted as all children are included and involved, their individual needs are being met. There are currently no children with any learning difficulties, disabilities, or who speak English as an additional language attending the setting, however, the childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for children with additional needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy being with the childminder, they are settled and happy and make positive relationships with adults and peers. They are well behaved and behaviour is consistently managed by the childminder. However, the childminder gets involved in minor incidents of behaviour immediately, when this is not always necessary. This prevents older children from beginning to understand and attempt to resolve certain minor situations and incidents for themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works well in partnership with parents and carers. Parents receive a copy of all paperwork relevant to their child including the policy and procedure documents of the setting. Parents are kept informed of their child’s development and progress through regular discussions and through the use of daily diaries for the younger children. Appropriate consent forms from parents are available and contract agreements are in place and support working in partnership.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a positive attitude towards personal development and has completed a first aid course since the last inspection plus some training in relation to the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has high regard for the well-being of all children and they receive consistent adult support and attention.

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Organisation

All documents and records required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available, well kept and up to date. There are also some good practice records in place, such as policy and procedure documents. Attendance records and observation indicate that adult to child ratios are maintained. Registers are kept up to date and accurate. 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 previous inspection the childminder was asked to complete an appropriate first aid course and to devise a procedure for informing Ofsted of significant events. The organisation of the provision and children's safety has been improved as these actions have been fully addressed.

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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 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 that the garage and cleaning fluids in the kitchen are made inaccessible to children • ensure that handling of behaviour is developmentally appropriate and takes into account individual children's level of understanding and maturity.

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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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