Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY255669 Unique Reference Number 21 July 2006 Inspection date Lynn Rodgers 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 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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and one child aged six in a town house in a suburb of Barnsley. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently minding three children under five all day and some part days and four children over five before and after school. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have a rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder is a member of the local childminding network and mentors other childminders. She is a sponsored childminder for the local Social Services department and supports children with learning difficulties.

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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. The childminder helps children to develop self-confidence in their physical skills with the provision of a wide range of indoor and outdoor equipment and toys. They enjoy a good range of energetic activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They are able to rest or be active according to their needs. The childminder incorporates the Birth to three framework to enhance her provision, which means children have access to fresh air and exercise to promote the strong and healthy child.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures children benefit from a healthy diet with good examples of variation to encourage children to eat healthily. Parents' wishes are respected and the childminder records children's allergies and dietary requirements. Children's preferences are taken into account and they are encouraged to try seasonal, unfamiliar foods during food tasting activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well organised activities and daily routines. Older children are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet. Younger children's hands are wiped by the childminder after nappy changing and before they partake of any foods. Children are protected from infection because the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of health related matters. However, she has not obtained parental permission for children to access the family pets. The childminder has completed up to date first aid training and has obtained the necessary consent from parents to administer emergency first aid or treatment. She has clear, effective procedures for dealing with sick children, thereby limiting the possibility of cross-infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has a high level of awareness of current information regarding child protection, which ensures that she can act in the best interests of the children. She has recently attended child protection training and this enables her to act upon any concerns she may have about a child in her care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are happy and settled in the setting which is warm and welcoming. They contribute to the development of safety routines; for example, tidying away the toys that they have finished with and following the childminder's good examples. The childminder is knowledgeable and takes all reasonable steps to keep children safe and promote their well-being. Children know when to ask for help because they are familiar with the routines. The childminder ensures the children are fully supervised and has the ability to intervene when necessary. They are well protected and have appropriate adult support.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The outdoor play area is safe, secure and poses a child friendly environment where children can access a variety of physical activities. For example, water play and competitive sports games. Children benefit from a good range of safety measures, such as, safety gates, socket covers

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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 and fire-fighting equipment. However, the fire blanket is not appropriately sited in the kitchen area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Resources and equipment are organised and used well. This means children have access to exciting, stimulating, age appropriate activities to enhance their overall development. They are motivated to learn and explore. Toys and activities provide interest to the children and good levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development. For example, the childminder encourages children's creativity through the provision of good materials and varied stimulus, such as play dough and collage. They experience creative activities by using tactile materials and producing different shapes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The Birth to three matters framework is used extremely effectively to enhance the provision and ensure children develop naturally. For example, the childminder uses the guidance to help her to plan appropriate activities for the younger children to help them grow and develop naturally. Their progress is recorded daily in the children's individual files and shared with parents on a regular basis.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged through lots of praise and enjoy a warm, caring relationship with the childminder and show increasing confidence as they communicate with others. They become creative as they explore, discover and use drawings, paintings and imaginative play to express their feelings. Children enjoy using the good selection of outdoor equipment for jumping, skipping and climbing, which develops their gross motor skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued as individuals. They develop a positive attitude to others and gain a good understanding of appropriate behaviour through constant praise and encouragement and learn to take turns and share. Appropriate strategies for behaviour are effective and children are familiar with the rules of the house. The individual needs of all of the children who attend are well met, through observing children, talking to their parents and establishing their preferences. Children behave well through clear guidance, praise and encouragement from the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good. Daily communication and shared information ensures they are fully conversant with the provision and what their child has been doing. The childminder takes time to explain things thoroughly and makes sure she is available to discuss any worries or queries with a parent. She records children's details such as, feeding routines and Birth to three matters. Parents are fully informed of the procedure to follow should they wish to make a complaint.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children begin to understand right from wrong through consistent boundaries and explanations. The childminder has a good awareness of promoting equality of opportunity with the provision of toys and resources reflecting diversity. Activities are available to all children 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 non-stereotyped play is encouraged. Children are given the same chances, treated as individuals and with equal concern.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises and effectively plans activities to ensure children are stimulated and have lots of fun. Daily routines are in place which can be rearranged to meet the changing needs of the children cared for and are flexible enough to allow diversity and time for children to input their ideas and preferences. Clear policies and procedures enhance her provision. She has attended and completed many relevant courses conducive to good childminding practices and is a mentor to other childminders in the local childminding network.

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Organisation

The childminder is very organised and has her documentation up-to-date and available for inspection. Documents are stored safely out of reach and relevant information is shared with parents. She has a comprehensive parents' file to show new parents and photographic evidence of children's activities and how she incorporates the Birth to three framework. Parents are aware of the procedure to follow if they wish to make a complaint.

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Organisation

Children are kept safe and secure through careful supervision and appropriate safety measures. The home is welcoming, friendly and suitable precautions are taken to prevent accidents. 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

The childminder was asked to obtain written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. This she has obtained, which means children may now receive any medical treatment or advice as quickly as possible to prevent further suffering.

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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 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure parents are informed about children's access to the family pet • ensure the fire blanket is appropriately sited in the kitchen area.

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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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