Catherall, Kay Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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317721 Unique Reference Number 20 July 2006 Inspection date Angela Howard 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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and six years. They live in Bentley North, a large village on the outskirts of Doncaster. The whole of the premises is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden 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 currently has one child under eight-years-old on roll. The childminder walks to take and collect children from the local school. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Doncaster 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. Children are cared for in a very clean and well maintained environment. The childminder implements good hygiene procedures to ensure that children learn good hygiene practice. For example, she uses anti-bacterial spray to ensure food preparation areas are clean and encourages children to follow simple daily routines, like washing hands before meals and after using the toilet. Children use individual hand towels to prevent the spread of infection. Therefore, children's personal hygiene skills are fostered and the childminder sets good guidelines for children to follow.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of healthy snacks and drinks, which take into account children's dietary needs and parents' wishes. They learn about healthy diet as they are offered regular drinks and a variety of fresh fruit at snack time. Their individual dietary needs are catered for successfully and are appropriately recorded which helps to keep them healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a very wide range of good quality physical activities. For example, they ride on toys, catch and throw balls, take part in dance and action songs and jump on the large trampoline. The access to a wide range of physical activities contributes significantly to children's good health.

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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 very safe and welcoming environment. The childminder fully understands her role in keeping children safe. Regular risk assessments of the premises and equipment are completed and positive steps are taken to minimise any hazards identified. For example, there are effective safety measures in place like socket covers, windows on the first floor have restrictors fitted to prevent children opening them, the entrance to the premises is secure and a fully enclosed outdoor play area ensures children can play safely, freely and independently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A very wide range of good quality equipment and resources are easily and safely accessed by children. Toys are stored or presented at low level to allow children freedom to choose themselves. All equipment is in good condition and conforms to safety standards. The childminder is vigilant in ensuring toys remain safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of how to achieve a good balance between allowing children the freedom to explore and still keeping themselves safe. For example, when children climb steps on the slide at the park, in the first instance the childminder encourages the children to hold her hand then stands close by as their confidence grows. This allows children to learn some sense of danger and builds their confidence as they receive constant reassurance and guidance.

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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 Children's well-being is safeguarded due to the childminder having a good knowledge of child protection procedures. She has attended child protection training recently to keep her up-to-date on changes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have a trusting and caring relationship with the childminder. She has a warm and caring attitude and is sensitive to their individual needs. Children thoroughly enjoy the time at the childminder's and are very settled in her care. They make themselves at home and move around choosing what they would like to do. Children are confident relaxed and engaged in good quality play. They play and learn with the childminder as she interacts to extend the activities. For example, when playing with the cars she asks the colour of the cars and how many cars are in the traffic jam. They talk about the car being in the middle, on top and needing diesel or petrol. Children spend their time purposefully and have good concentration skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good knowledge of children's stages of development. She ensures that their intellectual development is encouraged by providing a wide range of activities and experiences. For example, children handle mini beasts like snails and caterpillars, they bake, build with various kinds of bricks, use natural materials and partake in a very wide range of role play and creative activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's awareness of the local community is promoted well through regular outings to local carer groups and places of interest. They have plenty of opportunities to learn about themselves and the world around them through discussion and planned activities like celebrating festivals from around the world. Toys and resources successfully reflect the diversity of the community. For example, she has ethnic dolls, small role play people in wheelchairs, a travellers' caravan, dressing up clothes and a wok and chopsticks for role play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very settled in the supportive and stable environment. The childminder knows the children very well and works closely with parents to ensure she continues to meet their changing needs. This ensures the continuity and consistency of the child's care is achieved successfully. Children are confident, play happily and are content in the childminder's care. This results in children feeling safe and secure, through which they develop self confidence, a strong belief in themselves and a healthy self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are able to learn right from wrong as the childminder has high expectations and sets clear consistent boundaries. Children are encouraged to behave well, share and take turns with lots of support and guidance. For example, children receive plenty of praise for their efforts and achievement, such as, 'well done, clever boy' and 'can you show me how to do that?'

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A very good partnership with parents and carers contributes successfully to children's well-being. The childminder keeps parents well informed about their child's progress with daily verbal feed back and written records of a child's food intake, nappy changes and sleep times. Due to this

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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 positive relationship children's needs are continually met and children remain settled in the childminder's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children thoroughly enjoy being in a home-based provision that is well organised and meets their individual needs successfully. They feel relaxed and confident which contributes to their overall well-being. Space is used well to ensure children are able to access a variety of play opportunities and experiences. This ensures children receive good quality care.

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Organisation

Required documentation is in place and presented very professionally. Parents have access to a wide range of well written policies and procedures which effectively contribute to the day to day care of their children. However, there is no system in place for the recording of complaints. The childminder is keen to keep Ofsted informed of any significant events in the household. For example, when she changed her name recently she notified us straight away.

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Organisation

Child ratios are consistently maintained and the childminder's registration certificate is clearly displayed. 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 one recommendation was made. This was to give consideration to the range of resources provided to enhance children's positive awareness of diversity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This has been addressed as the childminder has a variety of resources and uses celebrations and festivals from around the world to raise children's awareness that we live in a diverse society. Therefore, the childminder actively promotes equal opportunities and children have access to appropriate toys, learning resources and equipment.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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): • devise a system for the recording of complaints.

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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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