Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY321172 Unique Reference Number 30 October 2006 Inspection date Paula Fretwell 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 satisfactory. 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 2006 and lives in Ossett, near Wakefield with his wife who also childminds from the same address. There are 25 children on roll who attend on a part-time variable basis and the childminders take children to and from local schools in the area. The whole of the ground floor is to be used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden where children can play.

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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 satisfactory. Children are protected from infection because the childminder follows appropriate health and hygiene procedures. For example, they are helped to understand how to use liquid soap and a paper towel dispenser to wash their hands and they enjoy using hand cream to keep their hands soft. Sick children are not accepted in order to protect the health of all others in the setting, and this is explained to parents. The childminder is able to respond appropriately to accidents because he has current first aid knowledge and all accidents are recorded in detail. However, children are not well protected from the effects of passive smoking; both childminders smoke in the kitchen out of the way of the children but this permeates through to rooms where they play and sleep.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a varied range of meals and snacks. They each know their own coloured dishes and sit together to share different fruits at regular intervals. The childminder is very aware of children's individual likes and dislikes and works closely with parents to meet their children's individual dietary needs. Children are not thirsty as drinks are always accessible to them throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular physical play and there are opportunities for them to practise their skills indoors and outside. Large play equipment outdoors enables children to climb and balance, whilst indoors they practise hopping, jumping and rolling. Local parks are within walking distance for children and they have short walks with the childminder to use the equipment there.

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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 safe environment and the childminder works closely with his wife to ensure children are supervised in their play. Positive steps are taken to enable children to play safely, such as safety gates, harnesses on baby equipment and impact-absorbing play surfaces on floors in the playroom and around climbing equipment outside. A good range of toys and equipment is stored accessibly, regularly maintained and checked for wear and tear. Children enjoy choosing what they play with and there is sufficient space for them to play with their chosen resources in groups or alone.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are beginning to understand how they keep themselves safe through discussion with the childminder. For example, older children can explain the fire evacuation procedure to younger children and children know to walk on the inside of the pavement when out walking. Explanations are given to older children regarding new legislation for seatbelts and they are helped to understand the importance of road safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder understands his role in safeguarding children and updates his knowledge on child protection. He is aware of his responsibility to report any concerns about a child and has all relevant contact numbers accessible.

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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 satisfactory. Children are confident, happy and sociable in the childminder's care. They approach him with ease and are keen for him to join in their play, such as when building a train track. The childminder responds well to meet the children's needs and he works closely with his wife to ensure children have appropriate play opportunities for their development. Children respond well to familiar routines which helps them to feel secure, such as when they are tired they seek out their comfort toys and prepare for sleep. Children freely explore the environment and make simple choices about what they do. There are friendly relationships between the childminder and children and they are confident to make their needs known. He joins in to extend their play through conversation and chatter and he has a clear knowledge of each child's individual personality, abilities and preferences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure the individual needs of the children are met and that each child is included in all the activities on offer. Activities and resources help children understand each other's differences and similarities and the childminder ensures all children have the same opportunities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and they are given plenty of praise and encouragement. Simple rules are set by older children and they understand the need for boundaries and fairness. Children are given good explanations about acceptable behaviour and they learn to respect one another's feelings. For example, two young children have a disagreement over a toy and they learn to share and make friends by saying sorry and giving each other a hug. The childminder uses positive language to encourage good behaviour and the children respond well to this. He works closely with his wife to ensure they are consistent in their management of children's behaviour and the strategies used are appropriate to their age and understanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is effective and the childminder communicates closely with them to ensure the needs of the children are met. Daily chats and exchanges of information enable parents to feel involved in their child's time with the childminder. Parents are made very welcome and encouraged to spend time at the setting with their child whenever they wish.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder works alongside his wife to support the development of all children in the setting. Their roles compliment each other in the care of the children and they communicate well in their shared work. Children enjoy the organised environment in which they can choose their own toys and there are appropriate levels of supervision and support given to each child.

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Organisation

Space is organised to enable appropriate activities to take place. For example, younger children sleep in the dining room whilst older children have a quiet activity in the conservatory. There is clear organisation with regard to taking children to and from local schools to ensure their

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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 safety and security. Documentation which supports the childminding practice is up to date, well maintained and stored confidentially.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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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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 satisfactory. 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 children are protected from the harmful effects of smoking.

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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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