Childminder in Calderdale

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY293517 Inspection date 28 June 2005 Inspector Angela Margaret Ellis

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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 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 has been registered since September 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and 7 years old. They live in a semi detached home in Rastrick Brighouse, close to local shops, schools, park and local transport links. All of the ground floor is in use for childminding. Bathroom facilities are accessible on the first floor. An enclosed area is available for outdoor play at the rear of the premises. The childminder is registered to care for five children and has five children on roll.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s good health is promoted well both indoors and out. The childminder applies very good standards of hygiene to prevent the spread of infection. Children learn the importance of cleanliness through daily hygiene routines such as washing their hands after the toilet and before eating. The childminder implements effective procedures and acts in children’s best interest if they are ill. All aspects of the medical consent records from parents is in place. The childminder provides a wide range of physical activities that contribute to the children’s good health and emotional well-being. They engage in physical activities to help them develop skills and confidence for example an older child demonstrated his throwing skills as he threw a wet sponge as high as he could toward the gable end of the house. The wet print clearly marked how high he had thrown the sponge, he repeated this several times clearly expressing joy in the activity. This contributes to

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Helping children to be healthy

children's awareness of the way activity affects their bodies and understanding of when they need to drink and rest. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They drink regularly throughout the day and enjoy a packed lunch brought from home. This is appropriately stored. The childminder is well aware of encouraging the children to eat fruit for snacks. They are encouraged to eat at their own pace and enjoy their food. This makes meal times a relaxed, social occasion.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe environment both indoors and out. Risk assessments are undertaken and where risks are identified these are minimised. The childminder has a good understanding that children need a balance between freedom and safe limits. Children show a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. They know they must hold the childminder's hand when they are out walking. She knows that appropriate types of activities and suitable levels of support gives the children confidence to take risks and try out new skills. Children safely and independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and activities. These are highly appropriate to children’s age and stage of development and all meet safety standards. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents to ensure she acts in the best interests of the children. For example, she has a secure understanding of child protection procedures and holds a current first

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and extremely settled in the stimulating child orientated environment. Children are motivated and interested in a wide range of exciting, developmentally, appropriate activities and outings. Children show great pleasure, confidence and independence in making choices about their activities and all spend their time purposefully. A young child expressed sheer delight as she chose to wash the coupe car outdoors. A good level of challenge is provided for all ages of children in a variety of fun activities. For example an older child wrote the letters of his name with water on the floor outdoors, he phonetically spelled out the letters and then read out his name. Children relate well to each other and close attachments with the childminder promotes good levels of interaction, this increases their sense of well being. Children regularly socialise and extend experiences well through daily outings. The

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

arrangement for sharing activities with parents includes verbal discussion and an abundance of creative work and photographs displayed attractively in individual children's books. The childminder and parents highly values these and this has a positive outcome on children's self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children take part in a good range of meaningful activities and resources that promotes a positive view of the world, for example celebrating festivals such as Chinese new year. This increases their awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Although resources representing positive images of disabilities is limited. Children learn a vast amount of knowledge about their local community through walking during their daily outings. The childminder meets individual needs extremely well as children follow their daily routines. She values and respects individuality and is successful in promoting an inclusive provision for all. The childminder has a very positive approach to managing behaviour. She gives lots of praise within clear, consistent boundaries. These reasonable expectations encourage children to discover boundary limits and learn about rules. They show care and respect for each other and behave well. They learn to care for and have

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Helping children make a positive contribution

respect for other living things, for example they plant seeds and grow a variety of fruit and vegetables. An older child explained well that the plants need water and sunshine to grow. Children clearly benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has developed with parents and children settle well in response. This successful partnership promotes children’s well being and development, enhancing and enriching their experience.

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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 good. Children are at ease within the well-organised environment. The childminder provides a good balance of adult led and child initiated activities. Home based play and outings fit in with individual needs and routines effectively. Children are confident and independent to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The required adult to child ratios is in place and managing low numbers during the day provides children with good levels of care and support. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child development through attending appropriate training. The childminder uses the required documents to ensure she acts in the best interests of the children. In addition, she displays a wealth of other information, which keeps parents, informed. Effective use of these helps to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who

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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): • continue to develop resources displaying positive ethnic and cultural images and include positive images of disabilities

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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 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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