Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY249248 Unique Reference Number 14 July 2006 Inspection date Diane Lynn Turner 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 has been registered since January 2003. She lives with her partner and two-year-old daughter in a town house on the outskirts of York. There are shops, parks, childcare groups and schools within walking distance of the house. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden at the rear of the house for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for three children at any one time. There are currently three children on roll, all of whom are under five-years-old. They all attend on a part time basis.

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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 cared for in a warm, clean home. The childminder follows good practices in her daily routines to ensure the children remain healthy. For example, she ensures toys are cleaned on a regular basis, routinely washes her hands after changing nappies and discusses her policy for the care of children who are ill with the parents. This helps to prevent the spread of infection and ensures the parents know when their child should not attend and the procedure the childminder will follow, should their child become unwell whilst in her care. The childminder helps the children to follow good practices in their self care in most areas. For example, she routinely encourages them to wash their hands after toileting. She does not, however, always ensure they wash their hands before eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in a range of activities that contribute to their good health. They thoroughly enjoy being outside in the fresh air and are able to take part in various activities to help them develop control of their bodies. They have daily opportunities to play in the garden with a very good range of equipment, which includes wheeled toys, climbing frame, tunnel and slides. They enjoy regular visits to the nearby park and walks to feed the ducks and they walk a good distance as they return to the childminder's home from their morning at a local playgroup. The children are able to rest according to their individual needs. For example, the childminder discusses the youngest children's sleep patterns with their parents and follows these accordingly.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder does not provide meals but the children have opportunities to learn about healthy eating. For example, they choose which fruit they would like for their snack and are only offered the occasional biscuit or cake as a treat. The older ones are keen to help prepare the snack as they competently peel items of fruit, such as tangerines. The childminder ensures the children have plenty to drink throughout the day. She ensures they have their individual cups readily accessible at all times so they can help themselves to drinks as and when they become thirsty. She ensures these are replenished throughout the day, particularly in hot weather.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment that is well-maintained and child orientated. The garden area in particular is extremely well-maintained and has an abundance of colourful, fragrant flowers that the children have helped to plant. It is fully secure and has both grass and hard surfaces, which provides for a variety of play opportunities and ensures equipment, such as the swing and slide is safely sited. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments to identify and minimise any risks to the children's safety, and takes all the necessary precautions in most areas. For example, each day before the children arrive she ensures that safety measures, such as socket covers and safety gates are in place and she ensures the premises are kept secure during minding. In addition, the procedures that would be followed in an emergency are displayed for all to see and include useful contact numbers, such as the local hospital and the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder's doctor. The one exception to this is that the childminder has not fully assessed

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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 the potential risk to the children's safety that the fire in the lounge poses. Whilst this is not used for heating purposes and corner covers have been put in place there is still a danger that the younger children in particular, could fall and injure themselves, especially those who are only just becoming mobile.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder gives high priority to helping the children to understand how to keep themselves safe. She effectively supports and encourages them to follow safe practices. For example, she reminds them to use furniture, such as chairs correctly as they sit at the table in the outdoor area to paint and explains to the older ones why they need to be careful around the baby. She ensures all the children practise the emergency evacuation procedures so they know what to do in the event of a fire and they effectively learn about road safety as they go for walks in the local area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a range of well-maintained toys and resources. The childminder organises these very effectively to ensure they are easily accessible and are appropriate to the age and stage of development of the children attending. Toys are presented at a low-level so the children can access these independently. The children show a keen interest in the toys and the childminder uses these well to support their play and learning. For example, she uses the outdoor equipment extremely well to help develop their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities in regard to protecting children from possible abuse. She knows the possible indicators of abuse and she has a clear understanding of what to do if she has concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's house because she is very attentive and has a very calm, caring manner. They are very confident in their surroundings and are very much at home. As a result they develop close and trusting relationships with her. All children spend their time purposefully. For example, they enjoy directing their own play, accessing the outdoor area and taking part in activities, such as painting, which are initiated by the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies all round development is supported very well by the childminder. She instinctively supports their play and development in a number of ways. For example, they respond with delight as she encourages them to use a range of age appropriate equipment in the outdoor area. They laugh and squeal with delight as they share the rocker with one of the older children and play peek-a-boo using the small climbing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a good range of activities for the older children, which enables them to extend their learning and development in varied and interesting ways. For example, they enjoy painting and drawing activities when they use tools, such as brushes and crayons and learn to recognise colours. They particularly enjoy painting with water in the outdoor area when they show great delight and imagination as they pretend to paint the walls of the house using full sized paint brushes. They show interest in mark making as they use the water and brushes to write their name and produce various patterns, such as zig zags and stripes. They are totally fascinated as they watch their water pictures disappear in the heat of the sun and their

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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 enjoyment is very evident as they tell the childminder the activity is lots of fun. The youngest children join in fully with the activities as they copy the actions of the older children. For example, they explore the texture of paint, make good attempts to use brushes and they develop their imagination as they too pretend to paint the outdoor walls. The childminder encourages the children to extend their learning by subtly joining in their play. For example, on sunny days she encourages them to look at their shadow and challenges them to catch this and make it change shape. They also have good opportunities to develop their creative skills during activities, such as baking and craft when they make cakes and biscuits, collage pictures and items such as crowns. The children are very confident and well behaved and respond with pleasure to all

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals and the childminder meets their needs very well. They follow their daily routines as discussed with their parents, who are kept appropriately informed about the provision. The childminder talks to parents every day as they collect their children and she also provides a daily diary for the youngest child where she details all aspects of the care provided. There are suitable arrangements in place to record important information for parents, such as accidents and medication. Written permission, however, has not been obtained for the seeking of medical advice or treatment or to take the children on outings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has some resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, they have access to books and dolls that positively reflect other cultures. They become familiar with their local community as they visit the nearby park and local shops, feed the ducks and walk home from playgroup. They also have opportunities to learn about nature and the care of living things as help to plant flowers in the garden.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good understanding of behaviour management. She is a good role model for the children to follow as she is very patient in her approach and has a calm, caring manner. She explains boundaries very effectively at their level of understanding and as a result the children behave very well. The older ones readily take on responsibility. For example, they are keen to help peel the oranges at snack. They demonstrate good manners and need little reminding to say please and thank you as they request toys and when given their snack. The childminder's consistent use of praise and encouragement helps the children to develop their self-esteem and makes them feel valued and supported in becoming confident in what they can and cannot do.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel very much at home and at ease in the childminder's care and are confident in their surroundings. They move about freely and are able to access their own toys and resources. The childminder makes good use of the time the children spend with her, organising her days effectively so they are able to enjoy free play, planned activities, quiet times and outdoor play.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 All documentation is well organised and easily accessible. Records of attendance, accidents and the children's details are clear and stored securely. However, the childminder has omitted to obtain written parental agreement for outings and for the seeking of medical advice or treatment in an emergency. In addition, there is no system in place to record any complaints that may be received about the service. 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 quality of care was judged as inadequate. The childminder did not have a valid first aid certificate and she did not inform Ofsted of a significant change affecting her registration, in this case the birth of her daughter.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has attended a training course in first aid for infants and young children and now holds a valid certificate. She has provided Ofsted with details of her daughter and her registration certificate has been amended accordingly. The action taken has added significantly to the organisation, safety and well-being of the children.

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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): • ensure children routinely wash their hands before eating • ensure the fire in the lounge is safe or inaccessible to children • ensure written parental consent is gained for outings and for the seeking of medical advice or treatment in an emergency • ensure there is a system in place to record any complaints that may be received about the service.

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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 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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