Childminder in Calderdale

Inspection report for early years provision

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303606 Unique Reference Number 19 July 2006 Inspection date Helene Anne Terry 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 has been registered since 1995. She lives with her husband and two teenage children in a semi-detached property in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Areas of the home used for the children include the through lounge, kitchen and bathroom on the first floor. The rear garden is used for outdoor 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. At present she has 10 children on roll between the ages of one and 11 years; most of whom attend for various sessions throughout the week. The childminder transports children to and from the local school. The family have two dogs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder regularly attends toddler groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Calderdale Childminding Network.

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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 encouraged to enjoy a healthy lifestyle by being involved in lots of physical activity both indoors and outdoors. They enjoy dancing to music, going for walks, playing in the park, playing on the many good resources in the garden and relish jumping into the balls in the ball pool.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished because the childminder provides them with a very good diet. They are offered fruit and vegetable snacks throughout the day, have a choice of brown or white bread and enjoy home cooked meals. On arriving at the setting from school, children have their favourite snacks, such as toast. They have a choice of toppings and like to spread these themselves. Drinks are always accessible and consist of usually water or juice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected well from infection by stringent hygiene procedures. Younger children have their own towels and they learn about hygiene through learning to wash their hands before meals and after toileting. The family's dogs regularly visit the vets to ensure that they do not pose a health risk to children. Good systems are in place to record medicines to be administered to children. Written parental permission is gained for the seeking of any necessary medical treatment and advice. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate and discourages children from attending the setting when they are ill. Therefore, through well established and effective routines, children's health and well-being is very well supported.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Good attention to providing a safe environment for children is very well considered. All safety features are in place to protect children, such as fire drills, smoke detectors, a fire blanket and a fireguard. Children also learn how to keep themselves safe as toddlers are gently reminded to be careful as they jump into the ball pool. The premises is used well to allow optimum space for children to play safely, and in the summer months they have free access onto the patio area outdoors to extent their play opportunities. The childminder ensures that children are well protected from the sun by providing shade.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A very good range of resources and equipment is available for the children, addressing all areas of their development; many are easily accessible in boxes and containers in the lounge, providing choice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded very well because the childminder understands her role in child protection. She has attended training in this area and has relevant information to hand.

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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 settle well and are happy within the setting because of the good care and attention they receive from the childminder. Younger children enjoy the individual attention and cuddles offered as they wake from their rests until they are ready to go play. Owing to the good role modelling shown by the childminder, children make good relationships with each other. They show affection, play well together and alongside one another; demonstrated by the toddlers cuddling one another as they play with the trucks and large inflatable toys.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are involved in a very broad range of informally planned activities and spontaneous events, which supports their development and learning well. They enjoy outings to various places of interest, such as farms, and learn about the world around them when they observe builders chopping down trees, shredding the wood and using cement mixers and other building equipment. This is then replayed during children's role play in the home building on their imagination. Children take part in lots of creative activities and their work is valued; boosting self esteem and confidence. The childminder monitors younger children's progress by using development records, which consist of photographs, specimens of children's work and written comments.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have their individual needs met very well. Their routines are followed according to parents' wishes and older children make decisions about what they like to do. They take part in a varied and flexible routine based around the children attending.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are fully included within the setting and they benefit very well from activities and resources that help them value diversity. They play with multicultural dolls and dressing up clothes, and read books representing different cultures. However, there is limited access to resources that positively portray disability in society. The childminder has a good awareness of the differing needs of children, including those with disabilities. She works well with parents and other agencies involved in children's welfare, such as physiotherapists.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good, owing to the childminder's good understanding of positive behaviour management techniques. Children are aware of the 'house rules' and younger children learn to share and take turns well during play. She offers lots of praise and encouragement to the children during play, reinforcing good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership between parents and the childminder is very good, providing continuity of care. Information is obtained from parents about the child's individual needs and these are adhered to. Children are gradually settled to ensure that there is a smooth transition from home, and children settle well. Information about children is shared regularly through daily chats and children's profile records that are completed for younger children. The childminder is currently developing a policy and procedure file that she intends to share with 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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder successfully organises her time, space and resources to meet the needs of the children well, as a result children feel at ease and settle quickly. She takes care to give equal attention to all children; having more time to spend with the younger ones whilst the older children are at school.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures have recently been compiled and comprehensively cover all aspects of the setting. These are given to parents for their information and promote children's health and safety. Written permission from parents is received for emergency medical treatment, however, written permission has not been obtained to transport children in the car. There is a written complaints procedure available for parents, although it does not contain the current contact details for Ofsted.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good interest in training to update her skills and knowledge. She regularly attends courses run by the local authority. She ensures that persons with access to the children are suitably vetted and has an effective procedure in place for the collection of children. 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 improve the complaints procedure. Satisfactory improvements have been made to protect children. A written complaints procedure is in place, however, it contains incorrect contact details for Ofsted.

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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): • improve access to resources that positively represent disability in society

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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 • seek written permission from parents to transport children in vehicles • update the complaints procedure to include the current contact details for Ofsted.

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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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