Childminder in Calderdale

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY271630 Inspection date 18 August 2005 Inspector Annette Stanger

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 6, 11 and 13 years of age. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with sleeping facilities located upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play and the family pets include a hamster and a rabbit. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a worthwhile range of activities that help to promote their good health. From an early age, they learn about the importance of good personal hygiene through effective daily routines and good levels of support. The childminder successfully follows each child’s individual routine and this ensures continuity of care and contributes to their physical and emotional well-being. The childminder acts in the children’s best interest when they are ill and does not allow them to attend. This protects children and prevents the spread of infection. Arrangements for first aid and medication meet requirements and protects their health care needs. Children enjoy regular physical play, both indoors and out, which contributes to their good health. They play in the garden and go on outings and trips to local parks. These experiences allow them to practice and further develop their physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies learn to control their own bodies gaining physical skills appropriate to their stage of development. The childminder supports this well by encouraging them to reach for toys, developing their muscular strength, balance and coordination. Children are provided with nutritious meals and healthy snacks, these include fruits such as apple and banana. This helps them to develop healthy eating habits from a young age, essential for their well being, healthy growth and development. Clear records indicate children’s dietary requirements and preferences, which are well catered for in accordance with parent’s wishes. Children enjoy regular drinks to keep them well hydrated and good arrangements are in place for those who cannot ask. Mealtimes are used effectively to maximise opportunities for social development and promote children’s growing independence. One example involves the childminder encouraging and supporting a child to share control of its own bottle. She then gives

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Helping children to be healthy

the same child a spoon to hold, which he inquisitively chews and bangs on the tray of the high chair. This support provides increased opportunities for sensory learning and independence and promotes the child’s continuous development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play safely in a secure, clean and well-maintained environment. The space is used and organised appropriately, which allows them to move around freely and independently. They select from a safe range of age appropriate resources and these are checked regularly to ensure there are no broken parts posing a danger. The risk of accidental injury is appropriately minimised and most safety measures are taken to ensure children are protected. However, fire safety equipment is not appropriately maintained and this impacts on safety. Children's awareness of how to keep themselves safe is successfully encouraged through sensitive reminders. For

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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 example, encouraging them to tidy away resources before getting out more, in order to prevent trip hazards. The children also develop a good awareness of fire safety through practising emergency evacuations on a regular basis. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has an appropriate understanding of child protection issues. This safeguards the children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and content in the childminder's care, participating in a good range of activities that support their learning and development. They benefit from individual routines that are consistent with experiences at home, resulting in them being secure and confident in their surroundings. They receive lots of warmth, care and affection. This supports their emotional well-being and gives them the confidence to try new experiences and acquire new skills. All children benefit from an interesting and stimulating range of activities, allowing for active play and time to relax. Resources are readily accessible and good opportunities allow them to explore the immediate environment. This builds on their natural curiosity as learners and actively encourages their independence and growing self-esteem. Babies are becoming competent learners through the encouragement they receive from the childminder. They successfully use their senses to explore and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

investigate a broad range of tactile and textured resources, such as a musical textured dinosaur and a fabric caterpillar. They also develop early communication and language skills as they vocalise and interact with the childminder. In one example during a story, the child expresses their enjoyment waving their arms up and down whilst smiling and vocalising. Older children are also confident and enjoy a good balance of activities. They show an early appreciation of books as they listen to stories and respond by identifying the animals hiding in the pictures. They also show an early interest in numbers and counting as they choose to play a dominoes game and attempt to count the spots with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children settle quickly as the childminder successfully meets their differing needs. The childminder promotes an inclusive environment where all children have access to an appropriate range of resources. These reflect diversity and acknowledge cultural differences, which increase children's awareness of the wider world. Children behave well and are aware of boundaries through the childminder's realistic approach to behaviour management. Good behaviour is valued and encouraged and older children have a developing understanding of right and wrong. Children clearly benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has with parents. They are confident and settle quickly because the childminder takes heed of

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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 the information, ensuring continuity of care. This successful partnership promotes the children’s well being and development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child development and a high regard for the well-being of children. This knowledge is effectively put into practice to provide children with a broad range of learning experiences.

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Organisation

She organises the space and resources well to extend children's play and develop their independence. Required adult to child ratios are met and provide good levels of care and supervision. This ensures children are well cared for and supported, and contributes towards them being secure and confident in their surroundings. Most of the documentation is in place to promote the care and welfare of children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has improved procedures for children's safe arrival and departure. She has worked in partnership with parents to address this issue and has a written procedure in place that parents have signed. This ensures both parties work together to ensure children's safety. Another recommendation from the last inspection asked the childminder to build upon records of what individual children do, showing how they develop in all areas of learning. However, in agreement with parents the childminder continues to deliver this information verbally. Parents are kept well informed of their child's progress through discussion of individual achievements and by sharing their creations which they are then able to keep for their own records.

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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): • make sure smoke alarms are maintained in working order • obtain written consent to transport children in a vehicle.

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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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