Childminder in North YorkshireOfsted inspection, 22 Jun 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY331575 Inspection date 22 June 2006 Inspector Dawn Bonica Brown

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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 lives with her partner and three children aged six, five and one year. The family lives in a house in Skipton, North Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childcare purposes and there is an enclosed outdoor play area. The childminder cares for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently caring for three children under eight years, on a part-time basis, and two children over eight years. The childminder takes children to and collects them from a local school.

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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 satisfactory. Children are gaining an adequate awareness of healthy hygiene practices. They remain healthy because the childminder follows appropriate routines to prevent the spread of infection. For example, children are protected from cross infection because the childminder talks to them about how infection is spread through coughing and sneezing. This supports their understanding of the proper disposal of tissues. Their health is suitably maintained through appropriate record keeping. However, prior written parental consent to administer medication to children is not obtained. Children's good health is suitably protected because children who are infectious do not attend. This prevents the spread of contagious ailments and acts in the best interests of children to protect all those being cared for. Their welfare and well-being are closely protected because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This

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Helping children to be healthy

means that she is able to promptly administer first aid in the event of an accident because she has the relevant knowledge. Children are well nourished. They benefit from a balanced diet that includes fresh fruit and vegetables. Children have a positive attitude to food because their likes and dislikes are taken into account and they enjoy meals as a social occasion. Parents are well informed about their children's diet through good communication with the childminder. For example, the weekly menus are displayed for parents to see, thereby maintaining continuity of care and meeting the needs of children. Children's physical well-being is suitably promoted through active play both indoors and outside. They visit parks and other places of interest to them as well as participating in some physical activities indoors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety is suitably promoted because they enjoy a range of stimulating activities in a safe environment. The premises are well maintained and space is used well to encourage their independence and promote their all-round development. They use good quality toys and the equipment used is well maintained. Children's safety is adequately promoted through appropriate risk assessments. For example, the childminder has taken advice from the fire department regarding the appropriate placement of smoke detection equipment. However, the safe positioning of the fire blanket has been overlooked and the childproof lock on the kitchen cupboard is not working, thereby giving rise to potential risks. Children are gaining a suitable awareness of how to keep themselves safe. Young children know what to do if there is a fire and the childminder teaches children how to cross roads safely. They are well protected from abuse through the childminder's

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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 good understanding of child protection. Parents are well-informed about her responsibilities in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Boards' guidelines and the childminder understands the correct reporting procedures. This means that she can act quickly in the child's best interest to safeguard their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled. They have good relationships with the childminder and with each other. They have made friends and young children anticipate future activities with enthusiasm. For example, they plan for birthdays by making birthday cakes as a surprise and talk about how their friends will react to the surprise. The enjoy a broad range of activities that keep them stimulated and highly involved. These include outings of their choice, imaginative play with dressing up, arts and crafts activities, physical play using a dance mat and cooperative play which promotes their social skills. They enjoy high quality contact time with the childminder because they receive individual attention through activities that include listening to stories and cooking. Children are confident and make decisions for themselves. They select their own toys and activities and respond to adult's interest as they work on joint projects, such as

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the World Cup collage. Children benefit greatly from the childminder's outcome based approach to extend their learning. For example, younger children consolidate their understanding of number as they calculate the number of candles needed for a birthday cake. They practise physical skills, such as hand and eye coordination as they sift icing sugar and experience the changing properties of food as they mix ingredients and cook.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's self-esteem is fostered and their confidence is high because they are treated with respect. They learn to be polite and considerate because they are consistently praised for showing consideration and kindness to others. They are absorbed in the activities provided and their good behaviour is noticed. As a consequence, they are well behaved. Children are valued and included because the childminder listens to them and promotes open discussions. They are suitably encouraged to solve their own problems because the childminder teaches them about fairness. Parents are happy with the provision; children have their individual needs met because the childminder works constructively with parents to provide continuity of care. Children are confident, happy and feel a sense of belonging because the childminder knows the children well and values their individuality. For example, she organises activities that include

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Helping children make a positive contribution

outings and picnics in the park after school to meet their individual needs.

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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 Children benefit from activities that help them to value diversity. For example their joint project on the World Cup involves finding out about the countries that are taking part. They taste food from different countries and enjoy reading good quality books that reflect positive images of cultural diversity and gender.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well protected because the childminder is knowledgeable about the procedures, policies and records that are necessary for the safe management of the provision. Children's welfare is promoted because she manages documentation well. Their independence is successfully fostered through sufficient adult attention to help them feel confident and secure. They benefit greatly from the childminder's professional attitude; she reflects positively on the care she provides and puts her training, knowledge and experience into practise. This has a positive impact on children's overall well-being. Children's welfare is promoted through accurate documentation that monitors their progress and provides good communication with parents. They enjoy a welcoming, child orientated environment that is organised well to make good use of space, time and resources. This means that children benefit from their time with the childminder.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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. There are no complaints to report.

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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

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 improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that hazardous materials are inaccessible to children • ensure that the fire blanket is positioned in a safe and accessible place • obtain prior written parental consent to administer medication to children.

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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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