Childminder in North Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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303681 Unique Reference Number 04 October 2006 Inspection date Carol-Anne Shaw 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 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged six years and 13 years old, they live in a three bedroom semi-detached house, situated in a quiet village setting. Children use the ground floor area and the children's bedrooms on the first floor. The bathroom is situated on the first floor. The back garden is secure for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for a maximum of six children to attend at any one time. She is currently caring for 10 children on a part time basis, of these children, two are over eight years of age. Overnight care is available for a maximum of two children.

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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 are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. The house is maintained to a very good standard and there are effective procedures to ensure good hygiene practices are followed so children remain healthy. For example, the childminder ensures toys are cleaned regularly and that children have their own bedding at sleep time. She talks to the parents about the care of children who are ill so they are made aware of when they should not attend. Children are effectively supported to help them learn the importance of following good hygiene practices. For example, the childminder ensures they all wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about keeping healthy and have daily opportunities to enjoy fresh air and develop their physical skills. For example, they play in the garden where they are able to use resources, such as wheeled toys, go for walks in the nearby area and visit the park. Children are able to rest or sleep according to their needs. The younger ones follow their individual sleep patterns as discussed with their parents and the older ones are able to relax and take part in quiet activities after school.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from healthy snacks and meals that are well balanced, nutritious and comply with individual dietary needs and parental wishes. The childminder talks to the children about what food is good for them and encourages them to learn good social skills as they sit together to eat. Drinks are made readily available. The younger ones, for example, have their cups easily accessible so they are able to help themselves when they become thirsty. In addition, the childminder regularly reminds them to use these to ensure they get enough fluids.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an extremely well organised and child friendly home. The childminder checks all areas thoroughly each day before the children arrive to ensure all safety measures are in place. This minimises any risks to their safety, and as a result they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder gives high priority to helping the children to understand how to keep themselves safe. She talks to them about road safety when they go out and gently reminds them to follow safe practices as they play. For example, she explains why they need to tidy toys away when they have finished with them to prevent trips and falls.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a very good range of well maintained toys and resources. The childminder organises these effectively to ensure they are easily accessible and appropriate to the age and stage of development of the children attending. For example, younger children are able to help themselves from low level boxes which encourages their independence.

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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 The childminder has a secure understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and is very clear of her responsibilities in regard to protecting children from possible abuse. She is very aware of what to do, should she have any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle extremely well at the childminder's house because she is very attentive and has a very calm, caring manner. They are confident in their surroundings and are very much at home. As a result, they develop close and trusting relationships with her. They are offered a very good range of both planned and free play activities, which enables them to extend their learning and development in varied and interesting ways. The older children, for example, are able to relax on their return from school, direct their own play or take part in innovative craft activities, for example, the Easter hats.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are given very good opportunities and time to talk and respond to questions, which enables them to develop their communication skills. For example, the younger ones listen carefully and respond positively as they use picture dominoes and listen to stories to develop their language skills. They develop their manipulative skills and learn about colours as they use play dough and build using construction materials. They are very confident and demonstrate good levels of independence as they choose between a very good variety of toys, books and activities, which are all easily accessible. They follow the childminder's guidance very well and respond with pleasure to the activities provided. They are happy, settled and clearly feel part of the family.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, they have access to a range of resources including books, dolls and small world toys to raise their awareness of different cultures. They learn about their local community as they attend the village toddler group, visit the park and travel by bus to the nearby town to use the library and other facilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very good understanding of behaviour management. She is a very good role model for the children to follow as she is very patient in her approach. Children are well behaved because boundaries are explained very effectively at their level of understanding. They respond positively to the childminder's clear guidance and are very familiar with the established routines, which they follow well. For example, they are encouraged from an early age to help tidy away the toys when they have finished playing with them. They are confident in their surroundings and develop good levels of independence. For example, they make decisions about what they want to play with as they help themselves to toys and equipment. The childminder's consistent use of praise and encouragement ensures the children feel self-assured and supported in becoming confident in what they can and can not do.

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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 Children are valued and respected as individuals and the childminder meets their needs very well. They follow their daily routines as discussed with their parents, who are kept well informed about the provision. The childminder is sensitive to the parent's feelings and anxieties and good relationships are evident.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel very much at home and at ease in the childminder's care. The provision of a very well organised and supportive environment enables them to move about freely and independently and develop their confidence to initiate their own play and learning. Clear procedures help the service operate smoothly and efficiently and are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children.

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Organisation

All legally required documentation is in place, such as attendance, accident and child information records. These are well organised and mainly stored appropriately to maintain confidentiality. However, the medication recording lacks confidentiality. All aspects of the service are discussed with the parents who are kept well informed about their child's activities through daily discussion and the very informative daily diaries that are kept for the younger children. This helps to ensure that the children's care needs are being met continuously.

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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

At the last inspection there was an action for improvement relating to National Standard 1: Suitable person, and a first aid qualification had not been maintained. The childminder has completed a first aid course and now meets the qualification requirement for childminding. This improvement has added significantly to the safety of children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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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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 the medication recording remains confidential.

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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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