Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 305796 Inspection date 24 April 2006 Inspector Pauline Pinnegar

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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 good. 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 November 1999. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 12 and 9 years old in a house in the Fairfield area of Stockton-on-Tees. The premises are within easy walking distance of local amenities of shops, schools and park. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family pets are a dog, cat, rabbit and hamster. The childminder is registered for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently caring for a total of six children under 8 years old and three over 8 years

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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 old. Children attend on full and part-time schedules. The childminder is part of Stockton West Childminder Group and Stockton Childminder Network, and is a participant of the Stockton Borough Council quality kite mark. She is also a member of National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder actively promotes a healthy lifestyle by planning a very varied range of activities in the fresh air each day, which contribute to keeping children fit and well. They enjoy a good walk to and from school and the local library. They experience large physical play activities most days, as they run around in the large garden, ride bikes and push prams. They visit the soft play centre regularly and attend the local sports hall periodically to use large sports equipment. The childminder also takes children most days to the local park and takes play equipment with her, such as tunnels, bats and balls. The childminder plans suitable activities to develop their physical abilities. Children are helped to be healthy by the childminder's clear awareness of health and hygiene guidelines. She protects children from cross-infection by ensuring good hygiene practices; for example, work surfaces and toys are washed using

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Helping children to be healthy

antibacterial spray. Children's understanding of the importance of good hygiene is promoted in everyday routines, as they independently wash their hands before snacks and make sure that the table is clean. The childminder follows the children's eating and sleeping routines, to ensure that they are content and able to enjoy their play. Arrangements for first aid and administering medication meet requirements and protect children effectively. The childminder liaises closely with parents so that children's individual dietary needs are met by nutritious meals and snacks. Careful attention is paid to special dietary requirements; snacks always include fresh fruit. Children often suggest menu ideas and help with the shopping. Meals are freshly cooked and provide a balanced range of healthy foods; children's likes and preferences are fully considered. Drinks of milk, juice or water are always available for children to access them independently. Daily

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Helping children to be healthy

conversations encourage children to think about which foods are healthy and why. They also visit the library and have explored books about 'Looking after my body' and 'Five a Day'. Also, healthy vegetable posters are displayed for older children's information and children have explored healthy eating topics through collage activities. Children have also grown tomatoes, carrots and peas when exploring healthy option topics. Children are very secure and confidently express their own needs and wants. The childminder's clear understanding of the needs of younger children supports their very good developmental progress.

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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

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and very child friendly home. The childminder organises space and resources well to reduce potential hazards and actively promote independence. However, there is currently no risk assessment available for the large trampoline. The childminder carefully considers the age-range present when planning different activities and assesses risks effectively to promote children's safety and enjoyment indoors. Children use a broad range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards, helping them to enjoy a wide variety of experiences safely. Children use the whole environment freely and can visit the toilet independently. Their awareness of risk and safety is raised, as they hold hands or onto the pushchair when they are out walking. They learn to stop at the kerb when crossing the road together; the childminder talks with children all the time about the dangers of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

busy roads and this is included in activity planning. Children have well planned opportunities to extend their physical skills as they learn how to use large play equipment safely. The risk of accidents is minimised by careful supervision and consistently reinforced safety rules. Children also have access to books promoting safety and have explored topics, such as safety within the home. The childminder has a clear emergency evacuation procedure in place, which she practices with the children to raise their awareness. Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding of her responsibilities within child protection procedures. Attendance at additional training has extended the childminder's knowledge, increasing her confidence in her own ability to protect children and keep them safe. She is confident about sharing her responsibilities with parents and the procedure for recording of existing injuries is

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are content and happy due to the cheerful interaction from the childminder; she offers plenty of praise, which makes them feel good about themselves. They respond with smiles as she congratulates them on successfully completing a jigsaw. Positive relationships are further demonstrated as children approach the childminder comfortably and easily, climbing onto her lap for a cuddle. The childminder uses praise effectively, managing children's behaviour very well and ensuring that they feel secure and good about themselves. Children enjoy many interesting activities using a wide range of stimulating resources, which support and challenge their development. The childminder observes children's play carefully, finding out what they enjoy and can do, so that she plans experiences to develop new skills and extend their learning. Children develop a strong sense of self-esteem. Their behaviour is very good and is

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

sensitively supported by the childminder's example. They begin to understand right

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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 and wrong. Their artwork is valued and beautifully displayed by the childminder, so that everyone can enjoy it. Babies' and toddlers' home experiences are built on well by the childminder. She respects their independent choices and her caring, supportive interactions encourage confident play. The childminder is sensitive to individual needs and is considering ways to enrich their experiences further; perhaps by linking the Birth to three matters framework to her practice. Children concentrate well and become engrossed in activities that engage them, like playing with the road and cars. Their language skills develop well as they talk about what they are doing; they copy words and repeat sounds as they communicate their needs and ideas. They enjoy reading books and visit the local library on a regular

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

basis. They develop their own creative ideas as they explore many role play activities. Their imagination is fostered as they develop their own ideas with small world play. The role play area has been converted into a travel agents, shop and post office. Children enjoy dressing up with a very good range of clothes from around the world. More recently they have made Easter nests during a cooking activity. Children have made salt dough and explore various media and textures to make collage pictures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder works in close partnership with parents. She encourages parents to spend time with her, getting to know each other, as they settle their child. She makes time to share information each day with parents, which fosters children's sense of belonging. She talks with parents about her childcare practice and shares a portfolio of information about her family, qualifications and experience. She is developing photographic records of children's activities to help children recall, and share with parents, experiences that they have enjoyed together. Photographs are emailed to parents where possible on a regular basis. All agreements reached with parents are fully discussed and clearly recorded. Parents know how to raise any concerns and a record is kept as required in line with requirements. Children become familiar with the relaxed daily routines and enjoy warm and trusting

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Helping children make a positive contribution

relationships. They make their own suggestions about activities and are supported to make their own decisions; the childminder always offers choices so that they feel 'in charge'. They independently select their own play resources. Children confidently let the childminder know what they want to play with. She knows them well and responds warmly to their needs. Children learn to share and cooperate as they play. They are helped to feel good about themselves as the childminder praises them and gives plenty of warm encouragement; she uses stories well to reinforce acceptable behaviours. Children are encouraged to be helpful and caring; they always tidy away toys as they finish with them, before getting out new ones. The childminder plans activities so that everyone can be involved. Children's awareness of their local community is raised very well by regular outings to local groups, to the shops and the park. She has a good range of resources that reflect

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Helping children make a positive contribution

difference and other cultures, helping her to promote children's interest in and

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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 awareness of diversity. Children have also explored topics, such as Chinese New Year when they made Chinese dragons and also tasted bread from around the world, such as French Bread, Naan and Chapatti's.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare is promoted very effectively in the well organised, stimulating and safe environment. Their individual needs are supported by flexible planning. The childminder accesses frequent training and development opportunities, which contribute to her ability to plan enjoyable experiences for children. She evaluates her own practice well. Children are kept safe and their welfare is effectively safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding and implementation of required policies and procedures. Agreements reached with parents clearly inform the childminder's practice. The childminder shares information daily with them about children's activities and care needs, enabling consistency and continuity of care. Overall the childminder actively promotes children's well-being and successfully meets the individual needs of all the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to; develop procedures to assess practice to identify areas for development. The childminder regularly evaluates activities and events to identify areas of improvement. This ensures that the setting continually meets children's individual needs.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 good. 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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • conduct a risk assessment relating to the large trampoline and obtain consent from parents for their child, or children, to use the equipment • develop knowledge and understanding of Birth to three matters.

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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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