Hardcastle, Debra

Inspection report for early years provision

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317816 Unique Reference Number 27 June 2006 Inspection date Carolyn Gifford 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 1998. She has two children aged 11 and 13 years old and lives at Wheatley, which is a suburb of central Doncaster. The home is in walking distance of the town centre and all local amenities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding, which includes a lounge, dining room and kitchen. 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding a total of eight children. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and regularly attends pre-school facilities.

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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 good. Children stay healthy because they are cared for in a clean, well maintained home where they learn simple good hygiene practices. For example children are encouraged to wash their hands before food and after messy activities and are beginning to show some awareness of the reasons why this is important.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are further protected from illness and infection, through the childminder working cooperatively with parents to ensure children with infectious illnesses stay at home. Whilst there are effective recording procedures in place if children need medication whilst in the care of the childminder, she is aware that current practice will be enhanced by including more detail and information.

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Helping children to be healthy

A healthy and balanced diet is provided for the children, which includes nutritious foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables and regular drinks. The childminder carefully plans menus, taking into consideration the dietary needs and preferences of the children, encouraging them to try new tastes and to learn about healthy eating options.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a comprehensive range of physical activities, which helps them to develop confidence and control in their movements. They are able to freely access all of the ground floor of the house and regularly enjoy outdoor play and outings to the local library and to pre-school facilities.

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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, child friendly home where potential risks are identified and minimised. There are a number of effective safety measures in place, for example, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are sited appropriately and a guard is fitted around the fireplace in the lounge.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to avoid accidental injury and keep themselves safe as the childminder gives high priority to safety issues and teaches children safe practice. For example, when crossing roads children are encouraged to look and tell the childminder when they think it is safe to cross.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective use of all available space ensures that children are comfortable and have room to move around freely and safely, therefore being able to develop independent skills. Children enjoy a broad range of good quality toys and play equipment. These include manufactured toys, games, construction kits, books and a wide variety of art and craft materials that support children's creative ideas and thinking.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can see and reach most of the resources easily as many are organised in low level storage or displayed at child height. The childminder reviews resources regularly to ensure they remain safe and appropriate to individual children's ages, abilities and interests.

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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 welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has attended training and has secure knowledge of child protection issues.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy lots of praise and encouragement and are happy and settled at the childminder's home. They spend their time purposefully and enjoy playing with the toys provided, supported and encouraged by the childminder. The broad range of equipment and resources are used very well, which means children have access to interesting and stimulating activities and are motivated to learn.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Because the childminder fully understands the adult role in children's play, knowing when to give them the freedom to explore and when to interact, children's play and development is enhanced. When looking at books, for example, children's pleasure increases as the childminder joins in, pointing out things of interest and asking questions to stimulate their imagination.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are secure and content in the childminder's care because she is kind, affectionate and engages playfully with them. For example, she listens to what children have to say and nurtures their early communication skills by responding with smiles, lots of eye contact and echoing their words.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children show a strong sense of belonging and are comfortable and at ease as they are warmly welcomed in the familiar environment of the childminder's home. Children are able to choose what they want to do and able to move around the areas used for childminding freely and confidently.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are helped to feel good about themselves because the childminder values their achievements and uses lots of praise and encouragement. For example, children receive realistic praise for handling books carefully and being kind to each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's needs are well met because partnership with parents is very effective. Parents are well informed about the childcare and the childminder finds out what is important to them and their children. All relevant information is recorded, which promotes consistency of care between home and the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are able to progress because the childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources, which increases children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. They enjoy shared experiences where they learn to appreciate each other's differences and similarities, such as singing, looking at books and eating together at the table.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour of the children is good and behaviour management techniques are effective and do take into account the age and stage of development of individual children. Expectations of children's behaviour is included in the written information which is shared with all parents.

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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 Although this does not include how the childminder manages challenging behaviour, she has a high level of awareness of how this would enhance the knowledge and understanding of parents about how behaviour is actually managed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder does have some experience of caring for children who have special needs and has a very good understanding of the areas for consideration to ensure she meets the needs of all children attending.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care, learning and play are well supported because the childminder has a high regard for children's welfare. She is knowledgeable about child development, has attended relevant further training and is beginning to utilise the Birth to three matters framework. Children are happy and at ease in the well-organised environment, which helps them to develop confidence to explore the toys and resources.

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Organisation

Children's needs are well met as the childminder makes sure that, throughout the day, children can rest or be active according to their needs. Space and furniture in the home are organised so that activities can be provided for children of different ages and stages of development.

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Organisation

Daily sharing of information with parents ensures that they are well informed about the childminding service and how it contributes to the care of their children. Relevant documentation is in place to promote the care and general welfare of the children and this is stored appropriately to maintain confidentiality.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder ensure that unsecured carpets do not pose a potential hazard to young children. All carpets are now safe and children are able to move around the areas used for childminding freely and safely.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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): • ensure that the record of medication includes all relevant detail • develop the behaviour management policy to include the strategies used to manage challenging behaviour in young children.

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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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