Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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311085 Unique Reference Number 10 July 2006 Inspection date Margaret Shelborn 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 1995. She lives with her husband and three children aged 13,11 and five years. They live in the Birkenshaw area of West Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with the exception of the family lounge. There is a fully enclosed area of the rear garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding seven children all on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are shops, schools and parks within walking distance. The family has two cats. 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. The childminder maintains a very clean environment for children in her care. Children follow good hygiene practice; the childminder supports them well and encourages them to be independent with their personal hygiene. For example, the children wash their hands after visiting the toilet and use individual paper towels for drying their hands. Children themselves say you have to wash your hands after going to the toilet and before you eat. The childminder is vigilant with hygiene procedures around the kitchen and table tops, spraying with an anti-bacterial spray before use. However, she does need to improve nappy changing procedures to prevent the spread of germs. Children have good opportunities for rest and relaxation and to develop their physical skills. They enjoy dressing up, dancing and moving to music. They have regular opportunities for exercise as they play outdoors in a fully enclosed area of the

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Helping children to be healthy

rear garden. The childminder takes them for walks in the woods and to the local parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of how to protect children from illness and infection. She has written policies and procedures in place which she shares with all her parents through a detailed and informative parent welcome pack. She keeps accident and medication documentation up to date. She respects parent's wishes with regard to their children's dietary requirements and provides snacks and lunches that are nutritious and healthy. Young children are offered drinks throughout the day. Older children help themselves to drinks when thirsty from the kitchen. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their individual needs and parent's wishes.

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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 child friendly environment. Space is used constructively and activities are well organised. Children can freely select toys and resources with confidence from low level shelving or toy boxes. Children make good progress in all aspects of their development as they are involved in a very good range of interesting and enjoyable activities both inside and outside the home, such as visiting parks and places of interest. Children visited Leeds University to look at skeletons as the older children are interested in the different bones in the human body. The childminder displays a large picture of a skeleton naming all the bones in a humans body enabling the children to enhance their learning.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a home where most risks are identified and minimised. For example, the childminder locks doors when inside, has a fire blanket and a written emergency evacuation procedure in place. Risk assessments are completed for inside and outside the home. However, children have access to a large trampoline which the childminder does not have a procedure in place regarding its use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has most of the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She has a secure understanding of child protection procedures she has updated documentation in line with child protection procedures. She shares

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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 her policy with parents so they are aware of her responsibilities. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled in the care of the childminder. The excellent relationships between the childminder and the children enable them to feel secure and confident. The childminder is skilled at managing the needs of the children and ensures that they each receive individual attention, which helps them feel valued. Routines are discussed with parents and followed closely to enable consistency of care between home and the setting. Children are encouraged to share and play together. They play cooperatively, showing respect for each other.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A wide and varied range of activities encourages children's choice and independence as they freely select their own toys and equipment for play. The childminder joins in with the children to enhance their play and support their learning. For example, children are encouraged to participate in a counting activity. Matching the correct number of fuzzy felt pieces to the number on the paper. Through a painting activity the children are asked what colours they are using and the childminder responds giving lots of praise as they know their colours and create their own individual paintings. Lots of conversation promotes children's learning well. Children are very enthusiastic about what they can do and they proudly show off their skills outdoors, such as enjoying jumping on the trampoline and playing at knocking the skittles down. The childminder helps to develop children's self-esteem and acknowledges their achievements by

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

talking enthusiastically about what they have done.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into the setting and participate fully in all activities because the childminder values and respects their individuality. Children play with a good range of resources and take part in activities, which promote positive images of the wider world. For example, children independently access the dressing up box they enjoy dressing up in glittery outfits which include different ethnic outfits. Children themselves were keen to dress up in the colourful outfits and show me how they can dance to the music put on by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder's understanding of each child's needs is used to encourage a sense of security and belonging. Children are given clear boundaries for behaviour and the childminder uses her experience well to provide a positive calm atmosphere in which children can feel relaxed and secure. Children behave well and she helps them to negotiate and take responsibility for their own behaviour by supporting them, being a positive role model and encouraging the children to help each other. The childminder shares her policy and procedures with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has developed with their parents. Parent’s views about their children's needs are actively sought before the child starts and updated on a regular basis. Parent's are listened to and are kept well informed about the

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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 provision and their children’s progress. Information regarding their child's day is shared with parents verbally on a daily basis.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is very well organised, she has a good knowledge of the National Standards and supporting criteria, she complies with the conditions of her registration. Space, resources and time is organised to ensure children feel safe, secure and very settled which means children are very confident in their play. A very good range of records and policies are in place, which contribute to the efficient and safe management of the childminding service provided. All policies and procedures are shared with parents through a informative parent pack. Children are kept safe they are within sight or sound of the childminder at all times.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps her knowledge up to date by attending regular training. The knowledge gained is used to enhance the care that is given to the children. The childminder displays her registration certificate.

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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

Since the last inspection the childminder obtains written permission before the administration of Calpol, she has implemented and displays her written fire evacuation procedure. This enhances the safety of the children in her care.

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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 appropriate hygiene procedures are in place when changing nappies • ensure a procedure is in place which sets out the expectations of both parties as to the use of the childminder's trampoline.

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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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