Kilner, Amanda

Inspection report for early years provision

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310818 Unique Reference Number 22 August 2006 Inspection date Hilary Mary Mckenning 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 registered in 1993. She lives with her husband and adult son in Clayton West, near Huddersfield. They are close to local shops, schools and other amenities. Children access the whole of the ground floor along with the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has one dog, three cats, two guinea pigs and a fish tank.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for six children at any one time and there is currently 14 children attending on a part time basis. The childminder takes and collect children from the local school. She meets regularly with local childminders and attends local toddler and carer groups.

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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 enjoy a wide range of physical activities, which contributes to their good health in a positive manner and promotes their developing confidence in physical abilities. Children experience regular visits to parks, nearby nature trails and local maze. For younger children, there is a good range of every day objects to squeeze and hold to encourage exploration. Children are well rested and alert and so enjoy their play. This is due to the childminder discussing with parents their child’s’ individual eating and sleeping routines. This ensures children individual needs are successfully met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well protected from illness and infection as they follow good hygiene procedures and are cared for in clean and well-maintained premises. They learn the importance of personal hygiene through good practice and daily routines. For example, they readily go to wash their hands before meals and after outdoor play. This results in children actively learning about the importance of personal hygiene. Arrangements for handling pets are successful and they do not pose a health risk to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good variety of healthy meals, snacks and drinks, which takes into account children's dietary needs and parents' wishes. They engage in meaningful discussion and make picture displays of different kinds of food showing children's understanding of a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in safe and well-maintained premises. Positive steps to ensure children’s safety allows children the opportunity to move around play areas independently. Potential hazards are identified and effectively addressed, in order to maintain a secure environment both indoors and out. For example, she completes a health and safety checklist daily. Children are actively encouraged to be aware of their own safety. They discuss fire safety and can explain how to evacuate the premises quickly. Children engage in role-play activities to promote road safety procedures and clear explanations are given to children about safe practice indoors. This results in children having the opportunity to learn some sense of danger. They enjoy a good balance between the freedom to explore and the childminder's setting of safe limits.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected as the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities regarding child protection matters. She has a clear understanding of child protection procedures and recognises the signs and symptoms of possible abuse. The childminder has a written policy that she shares with parents. However, this does not include a process that identifies action taken if an allegation were to be made while the child is in the care of the childminder.

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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 Good quality resources are easily accessed allowing children to make choices in a safe manner. Thorough monitoring of children’s toys and activities ensure they remain safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and content. They are confident and settled within the environment. There are good daily routines in place, which follow individual patterns and allow children to pursue their own interests so that they discover more about what they like and dislike.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make their own choices about their play from a wide range of resources. Informal plans follow topics from school and nursery helping to consolidate children’s learning. They are encouraged to access resources themselves, developing their independence. Children engage in concentrated imaginative play in which they extend their language and try out new ideas. Children access an interesting range of activities and experiences, appropriate to the age and stage of children's development. For example, the range of equipment meets individual needs and interests of children attending. Therefore, children spend their time purposefully and enjoy playing with the toys provided.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relate very well to the childminder. They share a warm and caring relationship with each other and form good friendships. Children are learning appropriate social skills and enjoy being with and talking to adults and other children. Children are developing good communication skills as the childminder actively listens and responds using every day routines such as dressing, changing and meal times. The childminder is skilled in encouraging discussion and conversations. For example, when a child playing with a jigsaw, the childminder asks, ‘can you see a piece with the same colour?' Young children indicate toys and activities they want to play with and the childminder responds by getting children to converse with her. She enthusiastically follows their lead as they explore their environment, people and resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very happy and content within the environment. They have formed good relationships with each other, the childminder and her family. The childminder works closely with parents and takes time to get to know the children’s individual patterns. Children are independent as they are familiar with daily routines. They are confident and show a strong sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's awareness of the local community is promoted well through regular outings to places of interest. Children are beginning to learn about the wider world as they have equal access to a variety of resources that positively address diversity, including books, small role-play people and dolls.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A clear and consistent approach to managing children's behaviour effectively encourages children to behave well. They learn right from wrong in a warm and caring environment. Children know what is expected of them as they are given clear instruction and guidance. For example,

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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 they are given clear explanations when they are asked to conform, or in the case of younger children, distraction techniques are used effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnerships with parents and carers are good which contributes to the children's overall well-being. The childminder shares verbal exchanges with parents about their child’s day. However, achievement record books are not routinely shared with parents. For younger children, the childminder uses a daily diary to share information with parents. Children are very settled and clearly benefit from this partnership.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease in their surroundings. The premises are well organised to meet the children's needs. Space and resources are prepared effectively to maximise play opportunities for children. This results in children remaining settled and feeling secure in their surroundings.

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Organisation

Most of the required documentation is kept in a professional manner and confidentiality is maintained at all times. The childminder is enthusiastic and displays a positive commitment towards ongoing training. She takes full advantage of training opportunities to widen her knowledge and understanding of relevant practices. This commitment to training enables her to keep up to date with current practice and enhance the childminding service. For example, she has attended the 'Birth to three matters' framework and is working to apply this in her daily routines.

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Organisation

The childminder provides good levels of care and supervision to ensure children are well supported in their care and learning. In response, children are secure and confident in their surroundings. 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 it was recommended that the childminder address several issues related to required documentation. She has reviewed all of her paperwork and now makes sure that she has all required parental consents in relation to outings and to seek emergency medical treatment, which improves partnership with parents and the outcomes for children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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): • ensure that the child protection procedure complies with those of the Local Safeguarding Children Board and you know what to do if an allegation is made about you or other people who have access to a child while the child is in your care • consider ways to share information with parents regarding their child's achievements and experiences.

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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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