Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY313067 Inspection date 13 February 2006 Inspector Elaine Marie McDonnell

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 September 2005. She lives in the Wolviston Court area of Billingham with her husband and their 2 daughters who are aged 1 year and 5 years. The family have two guinea pigs that minded children have supervised access to. The main areas used for childminding purposes are the lounge and kitchen. There is also an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for up to 4 children under 8 years at any one

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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 time. However, this number increases to 8 children under 8 years when she is working with her husband who is a registered assistant. He is in the process of becoming a registered childminder. The childminder currently has 8 children on roll aged from 6 months to 8 years, all are cared for on a part time basis. The childminder is a member of the Association of Billingham and Norton Childminders.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Good hygiene procedures are in place to ensure a healthy environment for children and to prevent the spread of infection. For example, regular hand washing and good nappy changing routines are practised. An appropriate sickness and illness policy is in place and is shared with parents. Individual hand drying-towels are available for children to help prevent the spread of infection. Due to regular discussions with the childminder, older children understand why simple good hygiene routines are important and younger children are beginning to learn. Children are well nourished. They receive varied and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks. The childminder works well in partnership with parents to obtain information about children’s individual dietary requirements. Parents are kept fully informed of what their child has eaten throughout the day with regular discussion with the childminder. Parents of younger children receive written information in the form of an

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Helping children to be healthy

individual daily diary. Children have regular opportunities to be involved in physical activity both indoors and outdoors. They walk to and from school each day as it is good exercise for them and play in the garden in warmer weather and walk to the library. They are involved in action rhymes when indoors and there is some physical play equipment, such as, push-along and ride on toys available to promote children's large physical skills. The childminder is very aware of children’s individual sleeping patterns and ensures they lay down to rest when they need to. Older children who don't have a sleep have opportunities to be involved quiet and restful activities, such as, puzzles and craft activities.

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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 warm and welcoming environment where toys and play materials are easily accessible for them and are attractively presented. Educational posters are also displayed in the kitchen. The childminder has taken some steps to ensure a safe environment. However, not all low level glass in the lounge has been made safe or inaccessible for children. The premises and garden are kept secure, however, the childminder has not yet assessed the safety of plants in the garden.

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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 All toys and play materials observed are stimulating and in good condition. The childminder ensures they remain safe and suitable for children’s use with regular checking and washing routines. Children are kept safe on outings with appropriate supervision and are learning to keep themselves safe with explanations and discussion with the childminder. For example, they discuss road safety when walking to and from school. Children are well protected as the childminder has a good understanding of the main areas of child abuse and of possible signs. She is fully aware of her responsibilities in relation to child protection and has attended a training course on this subject since becoming registered.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are involved in an appropriate range of activities that promote development in all areas of learning. For example, they make shapes with play dough, indulge in role play when pushing pram-like toys around the living room and visit toddler groups. Attractive 'treasure baskets' are available for younger children to explore. A scrap book that contains photographs shows children involved in dressing up activities and sensory play with jelly. Minded children are interested in the toys and play materials available and enjoy their time with the childminder. Children are beginning to learn about wider society with the good range of resources that are available. Such as, dolls, puzzles, toys that reflect disability, books and activities. Children are beginning to appreciate their own culture and the cultural traditions of others when involved in craft activities related to Chinese

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Equal opportunities are appropriately promoted within the setting. There are currently no children with special educational needs or who speak English as an additional language attending. However, the childminder has a positive attitude towards caring for children with special needs. Children are not always well behaved. They often take toys from one another or hit each other. Children are not effectively learning acceptable codes of behaviour or learning to distinguish between right and wrong, as behaviour is not always managed effectively or appropriately. The childminder works well in partnership with parents, written information is effectively shared and parents receive copies of the procedures the childminder works towards. Parents of babies receive a written statement about their child’s day that includes activities the child has been involved in, any sleeps and food they have

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Helping children make a positive contribution

eaten. Parents of older children are kept informed of their child's day and progress

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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 through regular discussion.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. All adults in the household have been vetted and the childminder has completed an appropriate course in relation to her role. She has a positive attitude towards personal development and has attended additional training since becoming registered. For example, she has completed a foundation certificate in food hygiene course, a creativity in early years settings course, a child protection course and she attended a Special Educational Needs conference last week. The childminder is keen to access the next available training course in relation to the Birth to three matters framework. She has an appropriate first aid certificate. Adult-child ratios are maintained and children receive appropriate adult support and attention. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides. All documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the

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Organisation

provision is available, plus some good practice records. Documentation is well kept, organised and up to date.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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):

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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 • assess the risks to children in relation to plants in the garden and low level glass in the lounge and take action to minimise these • encourage good behaviour and ensure that children's behaviour is managed effectively.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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