Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY256543 Unique Reference Number 11 September 2006 Inspection date Margaret Bryant 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 four children aged 18, 15, 14 and six years in the east of the city of Hull. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used, with upstairs accessed for use of the bathroom only. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently caring for three children. All three children attend on a part time basis. The childminder takes children to the park, the library and to and from school. She has one dog and two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the local Childminding Network and 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. The childminder promotes the health of children through ensuring all toys and resources are clean. Her home is also satisfactory with regard to cleanliness. She prevents any risk of cross infection through careful cleaning of worktops before she prepares children's snacks. She also checks children wash their hands after visiting the toilet, explaining the importance of doing this beforehand. Children show awareness of this through understanding they may get poorly if they do not wash off any germs. Children also have worksheets they can colour about hand washing and brushing of teeth which reinforces messages they learn. Children have the opportunity to brush their teeth at the childminder's, if their parents wish. Nappies are changed with respect for privacy of children and disposal of these is appropriate. Children have individual towels on which to dry their hands which helps reduce the risk of any cross infection and

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Helping children to be healthy

Policies on sickness and illness are shared with parents who know their children should not attend if not well enough to do so. They are also informed they must collect children who are taken ill to ensure protection of the rest of the children she cares for. The childminder has knowledge of first aid through ongoing first aid training and feels confident to deal with any emergencies that may arise to protect children in her care. Children are helped to understand the importance of exercise and the effect it has on their bodies. For example, through movement to music, they learn from the childminder about the heart, what happens to it when we exercise and how their bodies benefit as a result of this.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children thoroughly enjoy their snack times at the childminder's and soon after arrival at her home, after school, she asks them what they would like to eat. This makes them feel valued as their requests are catered for by the childminder. They enjoy sandwiches of tuna and sweet corn, cheese and chocolate spread and have choice of whether they want sliced bread or bread cakes. Children know that chocolate spread is not particularly healthy through discussion. However, following their sandwiches they have a good choice of healthy fruit and raw vegetables including melon, grapes, banana and carrots. They also have a choice of yoghurt. Children help to lay the table and serve their friends and they all sit together and eat. They enjoy the social occasion of snack time and understand how important it is to sit down whilst eating. Drinks are available for children throughout their time at the childminder's, served in their own cups

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Helping children to be healthy

and which they can help themselves to whenever they wish.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who has detailed procedures in place to protect children from possible harm and these are shared with parents. For example, there are policies about collection of children, health and safety and emergency procedures including fire evacuation. She talks to all children about how to get out of the home in an emergency and they take part in drills which she records. Her home also has good measures in place to protect children with stair gates in place, toxic substances inaccessible by minded children and working smoke alarms.

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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 childminder's home is welcoming to children, has plenty of space and allows children to feel comfortable and at ease. If children wish or need to rest or sleep, provision is made for them to be able to do this in comfort and safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children understand about keeping safe and road safety is discussed every day on their walk home from school. They know where they wait to be collected at school by the childminder and this works well. They walk closely together on their way back from school and wait to cross roads together. They discuss what they will do when they get to the childminder's, where there is a wide range of safe, suitable toys and resources for them to enjoy. The childminder displays her certificate of insurance for parents which reassures them their children are safeguarded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a clear knowledge about the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. She is confident to deal with any concerns she may have, according to the procedures she has from the local authority. Her written procedure about child protection is shared with parents. This shows them she takes her responsibilities seriously and that the welfare and protection of children is paramount to her role as a childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are really happy being cared for by a childminder who has respect for them. This makes them feel valued and important, for example, she consults children all the time about what they want to do, what they like to eat and where they like to go. The childminder spends time interacting with children in their play as well as allowing them to initiate their own play, whilst observing them for their safety. She also takes note of any achievements and development, recording these and sharing this with parents on a daily basis. She helps children to achieve and be confident about counting, colours and shapes. She also helps them to understand about opposites such as biggest and smallest and more than or less than. Children can access planned activities if they wish, including baking. They particularly enjoy using clay to make shapes and objects and enjoy painting these when dry. They receive encouragement from the childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and are justly proud of their models, happily sharing these with their parents when they come to collect them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder helps children to take notice and learn about the world around them, for example, insects. She helps children to learn about the ladybird and to look for both species of this, including red and yellow ladybirds. They talk about where to find them, learn about what they do and enjoy associated craftwork, making their own three dimensional ladybird models to take home. Children also learn about other forms of life including reptiles. For example, parents bring in pets to show to children, including lizards. Children learn about the care they need, the food they eat and photographs show children enjoying these, having the opportunity to handle them with care. Activities such as these help children to have respect for other forms of life. Children also show respect for the childminder's own pet cats who are totally unconcerned by the children's presence.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who is very knowledgeable about them and their individual needs. She has very good relationships in place with parents and ensures their wishes are carried out. She has information about children's individual dietary requirements, medical information and their likes and dislikes. This information ensures not only parents wishes are carried out but children are happy and contented as a result. Parents say they are 'more than happy' with the care the childminder gives to their children. They receive a detailed booklet about what she does and she has a written contract in place with them. She also has written agreements in place with parents including permission from them to allow her to take photographs of their children. However, she does not have written permission from all parents for outings and for the seeking of medical help in case of emergency.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children get along very well together. They are very settled and happy and receive praise and encouragement from the childminder which helps them feel good about themselves. The childminder works well with parents to ensure consistency with regard to management of behaviour. For example, she has agreed systems in place with parents about behaviour with rewards in place for children and these work well. Children share and take turns and begin to understand about diversity and differences in people through discussion. The childminder answers children's questions honestly and helps them to understand that despite individual differences in people, all are equal. For example, children have positive images of race through books and dolls and through role play and dressing up they pretend to be someone else. This helps them gain confidence and understand about other people. They also learn about those people with physical disabilities and that they too are equal. For example, they learn that when

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Helping children make a positive contribution

a doll loses a limb it need not be mended. The childminder uses situations like this to help children realise that some people only have one limb and despite this get on in life and cope well.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children have plenty of space in which to freely play, move around and access the wide range of readily available resources. The outdoor area is freely accessible to them and there is plenty of equipment and toys for them in this area too. Children eagerly enter the premises when they arrive from school. They take off their shoes, hang up their bags and coats and display a real sense of belonging. The premises are organised to allow children opportunities for different types of play. For example, the three different areas have clearly defined spaces in which children can move around freely, relax and have rest, be creative and access a wide range of different activities.

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Organisation

The childminder is very committed to attending and renewing certificates in subjects related to children. She has numerous training certificates of short courses attended including: Management of Behaviour; Disability Awareness training; and Creative Play. She also ensures she continually renews her Child Protection certificate, her First Aid certificate and her Food Hygiene and Safety certificate. She enjoys learning and knows the knowledge she gains increases

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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 her knowledge to care for, understand and best help children receive good care. She shares all her certificates with parents. This helps them realise her suitability to care for their children.

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Organisation

Documentation as required by regulation is all in place and is very well organised. It is easily and readily accessible and well presented. All information is shared with parents who also get copies of all her policies and procedures. These are detailed and informative and include information about Ofsted including the address and telephone number in case of complaint. Records are accessible and securely stored away when not in use.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve in two areas: to improve the consistency in teaching; and promotion and encouragement of personal hygiene to minded children. This was in relation to ensuring they wash their hands before eating. Through discussion with the childminder and through observation on this inspection all children wash their hands before eating, with younger children who are not independent, having their hands washed for them by the childminder. This ensures children's health and well-being is safeguarded.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to maintain satisfactory standards with regard to clearing up of the dog compound nearest to the sectioned off children's play area. The separate area in which the dog is cared for is checked before children arrive and before they go out to play. This ensures there is no risk to children's health.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National standards.

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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 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):

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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 • ensure written permission is obtained from all parents to take children on outings, including transportation in a vehicle. Also obtain written permission from all parents to allow the seeking of medical help in case of emergency.

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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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