Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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321834 Unique Reference Number 09 August 2006 Inspection date Andrea Rockett 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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 1999. She lives with her partner and their home is situated in Featherstone close to local amenities of shops and schools. The childminder employs a co-childminder and an assistant on a daily basis. The ground floor is used for caring for children, which consists of a designated playroom with access to toilet facilities. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for six children when working alone, and to care for eight children when working with the co-childminder. There are currently eight children on roll. The childminder is a qualified nursery nurse and 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 inadequate. Children are cared for in an environment that is clean and tidy. The childminder actively promotes good hygiene practices to prevent the spread of infection and to keep children healthy. For example, children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after visiting the toilet. The childminder sprays and wipes tables regularly throughout the day. Effective measures are in place to reduce cross-contamination as children use individual hand towels. Details for the exclusion of sick children to prevent cross-infection are discussed with parents. However, children are at risk as the childminder does not have an up to date first aid certificate, which is a mandatory regulation. Children play in the shade in hot weather and learn to keep themselves safe as they wear sun hats and help to apply their own sun-cream. Recordings of accidents and administrations of medication are in place, however, many lack attention to detail and omit

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Helping children to be healthy

crucial information, which is a mandatory regulation.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy eating is promoted with children being offered fresh fruit and vegetables at meal and snack times, which are essential for their well-being and healthy growth. For example, they have a picnic at lunch time and enjoy tomatoes, grapes, oranges, apples and bananas. Self-help skills are enhanced as children hand out plates and pour their own drinks. The childminder takes account of parents' wishes, so that children's individual health and dietary requirements are met successfully. Menus are shared with parents and are on a four-weekly rolling plan, which ensures food is varied. Mealtimes are social occasions where everyone sits at the table to eat their meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

A selection of physical activities is offered to children, which contributes to their good health, for example, they visit Pontefract park and walk around the race-course. The childminder and co-minder support and encourage children's developing physical skills through being involved in their play, such as showing them how to throw and catch balls successfully. Children's gross motor skills are extended when playing in the garden, for example, they play on bikes and scooters and move skilfully in and out of the tent. Children show an awareness of space as they move with confidence within the home and garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean home where risks are identified and minimised, which allows them to move around safely and independently. There is a designated playroom which is bright and colourful with attractive displays of the children's art work. Furniture and equipment is of a suitable design and conforms to safety requirements, for example, children enjoy using the child size tables and chairs when engaging in their activities. They independently select from a range of toys and resources which promotes their decision making skills. For example, they enjoy choosing small world people and furniture for the dolls-house and toy horses and ponies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about what is dangerous as they practise an emergency escape plan regularly, which helps them to learn to keep themselves safe. The childminder takes an emergency bag

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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 when they evacuate the home which contains blankets and babies equipment. The childminder is safety conscious and performs visual risk assessments within the home and garden to maintain the safety of children. For example, there are locks on the kitchen cupboard doors and the garden gate is always locked. Visitors cannot access the premises easily as the external doors are locked and they must ring the doorbell to make their presence known.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Procedures for child protection are clearly understood by the childminder and she recognises that this is her first priority. However, the child protection policy is not up to date and does not include a procedure to be followed if allegations are made against the childminder or members of the household. Children are taught about road safety on outings, which increases their ability to assess risk, for example, they know they must always hold hands and stop, look and listen for cars before crossing the road. The childminder takes contact numbers and a mobile phone on outings, and ensures she always supervises children effectively to maintain their safety at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very confident in their surroundings and settle well. The childminder and co-minder are attentive and sensitive towards each child's individual needs. As a result, children have close relationships with them which increases their sense of trust. Planning for activities is in place and develops children's awareness successfully. For example, the current theme is 'Shades of pink', which incorporates the season of summer, Humpty Dumpty and pink play dough. A display reinforces the theme as all items on show are pink, such as soft toys. Children's early communication skills are very well supported through good quality adult-child interaction, for example, the childminder asks children which activities they would like to play with.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A very good range of play opportunities are offered which helps children to extend their learning and development in many ways. For example, they enjoy washing toy horses and ponies, brushing their manes and then displaying them in the sunshine to enable them to dry. The childminder involves children in real life experiences, for example, they visit horses at the stables and Fairburn Ings. This gives children the opportunity to learn about their environment and be a part of their local community. Children spend their time purposefully as they enjoy listening to stories and singing action rhymes. Older children take turns with adults to read stories to the younger children and skilfully show them the pictures in the book as they read.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Knowledge and understanding of the world is promoted as children are involved with baking jam-tarts and cakes and they help to make their own play dough. A large selection of Duplo bricks enable toddlers to develop their hand-eye coordination as they fit the bricks together successfully. Older children enjoy helping with daily duties and responsibilities, for example, they obtain the toddlers drinks from the fridge for them and pick their comforters up from the floor and wash them. The childminder and co-minder offer reassurance to the children, which successfully boosts their self-esteem and confidence. Children make very good progress in their learning through the stimulating activities offered.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Behaviour is good and children are becoming aware of their boundaries, for example, they help to tidy away activities. This reinforces their awareness of routine and what is expected of them. They learn to take responsibility for their own behaviour and think about the needs of others as they share and take turns when playing with the toys. They help the childminder with household chores such as pegging out the washing. Children show respect as they use good manners and are heard to say 'please' and 'thank you' to the adults and each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder and co-minder are calm and consistent and children follow their example and respond well to their care. They treat children with equal concern and respect and aim to help them recognise and value diversity. For example, children engage in opportunities of wearing Asian dressing up clothes, hold Indian days and eat vegetable curries. Toys, resources and activities promote multi-cultural society successfully. All children take part in activities appropriate to their needs and abilities, which successfully creates an inclusive provision for all.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder values and respects parents and a good partnership is established with them so that individual needs are understood. Parents are informed of their child's care through verbal daily discussions. The childminder has an induction procedure in place for new children where a gradual integration system is used to enable children to be confident when separating from their parents. The childminder works with parents' wishes to ensure all children's individual needs are met successfully.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children feel at home, settled and at ease in the relaxing and welcoming environment. The childminder uses her space well to create a child friendly environment, which enables them to move freely around the setting, demonstrating confidence and independence. The childminder organises her working week to enable children to extend their social lives, for example, they engage in teddy-bear picnics and visit Withernsea. Resources and activities are organised to enable children to extend their play and learning experiences.

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Organisation

Regular verbal communication ensures that the parents and the childminder enjoy a positive working relationship. Policies and procedures are in place, however, the majority of these are not fully developed and the registration certificate is not displayed. Documentation is stored to maintain confidentiality and security.

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Organisation

Overall the provision does not meet 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 there was one recommendation in place in relation to improving toys and equipment to promote a positive image of disability. This has been addressed appropriately.

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Improvements 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 There are now posters which depict positive images, disabled dolls and children engage in sensory activities. These help to develop children's knowledge and understanding of disabilities.

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • ensure a first aid course is completed which includes training in first aid for infants and young children • ensure recordings of medications administered are completed appropriately with parental signatures • ensure accident recordings are acknowledged and signed by parents. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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