Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY333791 Unique Reference Number 12 October 2006 Inspection date Linda Filewood 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 was registered in 2006. She lives with her partner and three children aged 15, 10 and three years in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with access to toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child full time. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler group. The family has a dog, a cat, a ferret and tropical fish.

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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. The childminder has satisfactory routines in place to protect the children from becoming ill and passing on any infections. For example, she uses baby wipes for cleaning hands and faces so that they can be easily disposed of, and she always ensures toys are kept clean, especially after they have been put in the mouths of young children. Parents are advised of when they should not bring their children to protect the health of others. Accident and medication records are in place and the childminder is clear of the procedures to follow should a child have an accident or become ill while in her care. However, although holding a qualification to administer first aid is a requirement of registration, the childminder has yet to attend a first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works well with parents to ensure the food she provides meets the children's individual needs. She recognises times when babies find it difficult to eat, for example, when teething and adapts her routines to ensure they eat sufficient quantity and enjoy their food. Children are encouraged to drink regularly and babies enjoy a cuddle whilst being given their bottle. The childminder ensures all food is suitable for the age of the child and makes sure that all food, such as carrot sticks, is cut up thinly to prevent young children choking.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from daily exercise and fresh air. Young children are given good encouragement and support to develop their physical skills. For example, there is sufficient space and sturdy furniture to enable them to learn to crawl and stand safely, increasing their confidence in attempting the next stage of their development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The appropriate safety precautions the childminder have in place ensure that the children play in a safe environment. For instance, safety gates are in place to prevent the children from accessing the first floor and smoke alarms are positioned on each level of the house. Children's safety is maintained satisfactorily on outings. Young children are securely fastened into their buggies and older children are made aware of road safety. They clearly understand, for instance, why they must walk and not run when crossing a road. There is a fire evacuation procedure in place for the home but this has not yet been practised with the children. However, clear explanations make older children aware of the reasons for an evacuation raising their awareness of what to in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder effectively organises her resources and space to give adequate room for children to play safely, and is able to clearly monitor sleeping children. Toys are stored in suitable containers which allow young children to investigate the contents safely. A satisfactory variety of equipment is available for young children to play with and the childminder makes sure that older children are aware that toys containing small pieces are only allowed when young children are sleeping. The garden is reasonably safe and secure and allows children the opportunity for daily supervised outdoor play.

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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 Children are well protected as the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection procedures. A brief written child protection statement is in place explaining to parents the childminder's duty to the children in her care. Parents are also made aware of the systems in place to ensure that authorised adults only collect children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and have a good relationship with the childminder and her family. They are given suitable encouragement to become independent and make choices in their play. For example, young children happily investigate the contents of the toy box as they remove each item one by one. The childminder provides a satisfactory range of equipment that supports the children's development. She recognises signs of frustration and provides appropriate support to ease the situation. For example, by providing young children with items that roll more easily along the wooden floor she extends the enjoyment of a game. The childminder recognises children's particular interests. For instance, young children relate well to music and spontaneously join in moving with the rhythm of musical equipment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The skilful use of resources ensures that children at differing stages of development enjoy the same games. For example, a musical shape sorter helps young children manipulate the shapes into the correct hole whilst also teaching older children colours and the names of the shapes. Older children are encouraged to help younger children and both gain pleasure from playing with building blocks; the older one building the tower and the younger one knocking them down. This helps them play together harmoniously and supports older children in gaining confidence and self-esteem as the childminder praises their support of the younger children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder responds appropriately to young children's actions and gestures and is rewarded with plenty of smiles. Communication skills are encouraged as older children recall previous events, such as face painting, after looking at a book brought home from school. The childminder makes regular visits to the local toddler group to help young children learn to socialise with larger groups of children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are beginning to learn to appreciate each others similarities and differences. However, the resources to support this are very limited. Children are given appropriate support to understand their own needs and the needs of others. Their individual needs are catered for satisfactorily, discussed with parents and routines are adapted when required. All children have access to all age appropriate toys and resources regardless of gender.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and any inappropriate behaviour is managed consistently in an age appropriate manner. The childminder tries to ensure that children are kept fully occupied and helps them co-operate well with each other. The appropriate use of praise for positive behaviour gives support to the children and helps build their self-esteem.

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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 friendly relationship with parents and is respectful of their views and wishes. She keeps parents informed about their child's day through daily verbal exchanges of information. A short settling in period helps new children settle well and parents feel confident about leaving their children in the childminder's care. Parents are generally verbally informed about the service the childminder offers but are shown some written information briefly covering some policies and procedures. However, they are not asked for consent to give emergency medical treatment or to take children on outings, nor are they fully advised of the procedure to follow should they have a complaint or concern regarding the care their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children enjoy a warm, friendly environment and settle quickly into their daily routines. The childminder suitably organises her resources, space and time to cater for each child's individual needs and enable them to gain confidence and independence. For example, she plans her day around school runs and gives extra support to younger children whilst older ones are at school. The childminder offers a high level of support and interaction to children as she does not look after the full number of children she is registered for. Parents are kept adequately informed of their child's day and the childminder co-operates well with them.

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Organisation

All required records and registers are in place, confidentially maintained and ready for use when required. However, the attendance register only shows contracted hours and not actual times of attendance. The brief written policies and procedures help parents understand the service the childminder offers and contribute satisfactorily to the welfare, care and safety of the children. 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 complaint 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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that an appropriate first aid certificate is obtained that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • ensure there is a system in place for obtaining written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment, taking children on outings and providing them with details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint • ensure that children have an appropriate range of resources that promote the positive image of culture, ethnicity and disability • ensure that the attendance register is accurately maintained.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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