Haywood, Nicola

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY313887 Inspection date 20 June 2006 Inspector Linda Phillips

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 November 2005 and has an assistant. She is registered to care for four children and currently three children attend, two on a full-time basis. The childminder lives in the east of Kingston upon Hull with her two children aged seven and four. They live close to local schools, shops and a park. Minded children have access to all of the ground floor of the home, the bathroom is on the first floor. There is a rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and of the local 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. Strong emphasis is placed on children learning good hygiene routines through the childminder setting good examples, such as washing hands before meals, and they are reminded of why it is important. Clear written policies are in place, for example, they include actions to be taken should a child become ill or contract head lice. In this way it enables the childminder to teach children the importance of protecting themselves from the spread of infections. Parents are requested to provide such items as sun and nappy creams according to their individual preferences. The no smoking policy is strictly adhered to and visitors to the home are reminded of this to ensure children are cared for in a healthy environment. Children are kept safe in the event of an accident as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has effective procedures to follow. Any medications are administered following specific

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Helping children to be healthy

instructions given by parents and appropriate and detailed records are maintained. Children take part in a wide variety of physical activities and have opportunities each day for exercise and fresh air through walking to and from school, visiting the local park to play on larger pieces of equipment, and on occasions they play in the safe enclosed rear garden. In this way energetic activities help the children to develop control of their bodies through more robust exercises. Children also have time to regain their energy through rest and sleep according to their individual needs. Children enjoy a healthy diet and although parents supply packed lunches, the childminder ensures additional snacks such as fresh fruit, including grapes and bananas, and regular drinks are readily available. A two week written menu is available and although it is not strictly followed it provides evidence for parents as to

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Helping children to be healthy

what children are offered, and the childminder encourages them to try new foods on a regular basis. Children sit at the dining table for meals and snacks and are actively encouraged to develop their social skills as the childminder sits with them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children benefit from having access to a wide range of age appropriate toys and play materials which are maintained to a high safety and hygiene standard. These are easily accessible for them to enable them to self-select within the lounge. Children help to tidy up to avoid having too many toys out at once, which would leave less space to move around safely and they learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, by not standing on toys and hurting themselves. Available space is utilised well to enable children to enjoy a wide range of activities and opportunities, for example, floor games, reading books on the settee or art work at the kitchen table. The lounge and kitchen-dining room are on the ground floor, and as the current minded children are young and do not as yet need to access the first floor bathroom, this enables the childminder to remain in close contact with the children to ensure

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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 they play safely but with freedom. The childminder is extremely safety conscious and has various policies and procedures in place to protect children from harm, including a written fire policy and personal emergency plan. She also has a detailed health and safety procedure which she shares with parents to reinforce and inform them of her safe practices. Children are cared for in a very warm and welcoming environment. Risks to children are minimised as features are in place such as safety gates and maintained smoke alarms, and by ensuring any dangerous substances and items are kept well out of their reach. One current safety issue is that children can access the meter cupboard in the kitchen as the door is insecure. The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection issues and reporting

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedures and has attended a four day training course. She fully understands her role in protecting children, and shares a written procedure with parents informing them that she will report any concerns she may have.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are happy, content and well settled. Although school runs set the daily routines children are involved in a broad range of both planned and spontaneous activities which support their development and learning. Children are taken out each day, for example, to play and story sessions at the local library, soft play sites and parent and toddler groups. In this way children have the opportunity to be in regular contact with others to form varied relationships, and to learn from one another in a variety of environments. The childminder is fully aware of the different ages and stages of child development and ensures age appropriate activities are offered, for example, older children count aloud jigsaw pieces and blocks whilst the younger ones are encouraged with fine motor skills by building towers. Very frequent and stimulating changes of activities

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

helps children to enjoy learning through their play. Individual children's needs are effectively met and the childminder balances her time skilfully, allowing older children to play and learn more independently, as well as having one to one attention whilst younger children rest. She constantly talks with the children encouraging them to develop good communication skills, and questions why children think certain things, for example, the children have access to play figures with disabilities and the childminder asks children why they think someone uses a wheelchair and why another holds a book with large print. The childminder maintains a large scrap book of work sheets and examples of craft work and children have opportunities to choose additional activities through this.

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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 The childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities and an effective written statement is shared with parents informing them, for example, that all children are included and valued irrespective of race, religion and disability. She has flexible routines which enable all children's individual needs to be appropriately met. The children have good opportunities to learn about the wider world as they have access to a wide range of multi-cultural toys and play materials. They regularly access the local library and Sure Start sites to borrow additional items to help them learn about people's differences. Children are taken to many settings where they have the opportunity to contribute to varied sessions, to make new friends with regularity and to learn to work harmoniously with others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities and would welcome caring for such children again. All individual needs are fully explored prior to accepting children, for example, the childminder takes her own children into account and any other minded children, to ensure she has sufficient time to care for children requiring any additional support. Children benefit from consistent boundaries as a detailed management of behaviour policy is shared with parents. This includes basic house rules and what is and is not acceptable. In this way children are encouraged to learn right from wrong from an early age. Effective, appropriate strategies are put into practice should minor problems occur, but children are well behaved and share toys with one another and join in games and activities cooperatively. Parents are verbally informed on a daily basis of achievements and/or concerns, and the childminder actively praises children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

for their attempts and efforts to help raise their self esteem. A wide range of written parental consents are sought at the beginning of new placements, for example, the taking of photographs, seeking medical advice, and for children to be taken on outings. However, the childminder has an assistant and individual parental consents have not been sought in the event of the assistant having sole charge of the children. The childminder has built firm, friendly yet professional relationships with parents, and one parent collecting her child expressed high regard for the childminder and praised her on her skills in encouraging children's development. The childminder works effectively with parents to provide a warm, loving and caring environment.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the children well. She is very well organised and although daily routines centre around school runs, she uses other time constructively to ensure children are offered maximum opportunities both in and out of the home. In terms of record keeping the childminder has clear systems in place for appropriately maintaining them and they are well used to meet children's needs. The comprehensive portfolio of personalised policies and procedures show how seriously she takes her role, and she leaves the portfolio prominently displayed for parents to easily access them.

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Organisation

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 shows a good commitment to developing her skills and knowledge through a variety of training courses she has attended, and proudly shares her achievements with parents.

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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. There are no complaints to report.

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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 parents give individual written consents for the assistant childminder to be left in sole charge of children • ensure children are denied access to the kitchen cupboard housing the electricity meter

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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