Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY258049 Unique Reference Number 28 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 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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and 15 in a terraced house in the city 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five part day and three children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler groups. The family have a budgie.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder 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 satisfactory. The environment is warm, clean, safe and well maintained. The childminder is familiar with the Birth to three framework for babies and young children and she ensures they are able to access physical play and provides them with stimulating activities to encourage a strong and healthy child. There are effective procedures in place regarding the care of sick children and parents are aware of the childminder's exclusions for illness, which means children are protected from cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides children with a healthy diet. For example, fresh fruit and vegetables. They are provided with drinks, which include water and sugar free cordials. The childminder takes into account the wishes of the parents and children's preferences to provide foods that appeal to the children and meet their dietary and religious requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are familiar with daily routines and the importance of practising personal hygiene skills. They know, for example, when to wash their hands to prevent the spread of germs, particularly after they have been to the toilet. Effective procedures are followed by the childminder to protect children from illness and infection. For example, regular cleaning routines for toys and equipment and providing children with separate, clean towels to dry their hands. However, there are some details that require addressing. For example, the first aid box should always be available, obtaining consent to administer emergency first aid treatment and ensuring confidentiality is maintained when recording any accidents and medication details.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder ensures children are cared for in a safe, secure environment where risk of accidental injury is minimised through appropriate safety and security precautions. For example, supervising children at all times, ensuring parents have advanced warning of outings and checking venues for suitability. Children have space to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder sets acceptable examples for children to follow and helps them to understand how to keep themselves safe, both inside and outside the home. Road safety is encouraged during outings and walks. The outdoor play area is secure with suitable locks on the gate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to ask for toys and activities from a good range of resources. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to ensure they are safe, age appropriate and in good condition. Children are encouraged to help tidy away toys they have finished with to help them take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required documents and procedures in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she has a satisfactory understanding of child protection procedures in line with the Local Safeguarding Children's Board and has

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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 sufficient knowledge regarding the correct procedure to follow should she need to report any concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are very settled at the childminder's house. They enter with confidence and make themselves at home. For example, the child in attendance was able to help themselves to drinks and toys of their choice. Interaction with the childminder's children means they are beginning to build meaningful relationships and enjoy being sociable. The childminder encourages independence and self help. For example, choosing toys they like and being responsible for tidying them away before they go home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder sets out favourite toys prior to children's arrival, for example, construction, board games and mark making materials. Children are able to ask for other toys whenever they want to. They have a good relationship with each other and are happy and contented. Creative activities are planned ahead to ensure all children are able to participate fully.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Toys and resources are plentiful and provide children with stimulation, and are used well to sufficiently challenge the children and provide opportunity for them to explore and investigate. The childminder ensures children have plenty of fresh air and exercise through outdoor play and visits to the local parks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children show concern for each other, playing harmoniously together and behaving well through clear guidance, praise and encouragement from the childminder. House rules are established and children are aware of what they can and cannot do. For example, completing simple tasks, such as tidying away toys. They are beginning to understand right from wrong through consistent and achievable boundaries and are learning to develop a positive attitude towards each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is effective and they are fully conversed in the daily routines and what their child has been doing. Regular written and verbal communication ensures they are aware of the service the childminder provides. The childminder shares all relevant information with parents and they have been informed of the procedure to follow should they wish to make a complaint.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals and their needs are met well as they follow their daily routines. Parent's wishes are taken into account when establishing children's needs and all relevant information is recorded at the initial visit. Children learn about the local community and have access to satisfactory multi-cultural resources reflecting diversity and the world around us.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Most required documentation is in place and available for inspection. The childminder records the names and details of the authorised persons collecting the minded children and the times of children's attendances. Emergency contact numbers are logged in her mobile phone to enable her to call parents quickly.

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Organisation

Documentation is stored away safely and out of reach of persons not authorised to see it. Relevant information is shared with parents and confidentiality is mostly maintained. Children's safety is addressed very well to ensure they are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Adult–child ratios are maintained and children are fully supervised.

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Organisation

The childminder has undertaken appropriate training to enhance her provision and always makes sure she keeps updated of any new legislation, such as keeping a record of complaints and Birth to three matters. 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

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to consider the procedure for any allegations made against herself or a family member and to ensure confidentiality is maintained when using recording systems. The childminder has now implemented an appropriate procedure for any allegations and most confidentiality is maintained when using recording systems, which means, she is able to deal with any allegations quickly and in a proper manner and to maintain parent's confidentiality at all times.

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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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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 • obtain parental consent for seeking advice or administering emergency first aid treatment • record details of medication administered and accidents separately to maintain confidentiality • ensure first aid box is available for inspection.

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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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