Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY334180 Unique Reference Number 24 October 2006 Inspection date Jane Elizabeth O'Callaghan 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 was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and nine years on the outskirts of Harrogate. The whole of the ground floor is used for childcare purposes and includes a lounge, dining room and kitchen. On the first floor, children have access to a bathroom and play room. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She currently has five children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder collects and takes children to local schools. She is close to local amenities including, shops, parks, schools and the library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds the CACHE Diploma in Pre-school Practice and is at present attending the Development in Childcare Practice course. She 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. The children are made aware of positive hygiene practices through the effective hygiene routines and facilities provided. They have access to individual small bowls, beakers, towels and flannels, which are colour coded for each child. There is ongoing monitoring of equipment and toys to ensure that they are kept clean, especially with the younger children. This ensures that children are in a healthy and hygienic environment. There are clear details in the care and exclusion of sick and ill children to prevent cross-infection. The childminder has medication and accident records, however, some of the forms are incomplete.

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Helping children to be healthy

All children have regular drinks and are aware of the importance of drinking, and have access to their own beakers. The childminder offers a variety of regular, healthy and nutritious meals and snacks for the children. For example, the childminder uses freshly grown vegetables, fresh meat and all is home cooked and prepared where possible. This ensures that individual children's likes, dislikes, dietary needs and parents requests are met. The childminder has a rota of written menus, which are displayed for parents to see.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are provided with a good range of activities, both in the home and outside, that promote their well-being. There are daily activities that support and develop the children's physical needs. For example, the children have daily walks to parks and they have bicycles and balls which they can access in the rear outdoor play area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in an environment which offers a well planned area, with good facilities to actively meet the children's needs in a positive manner. The childminder has a very good understanding of safety both in the home and outside. For example, the childminder has several safety gates, she regularly practises and records fire drills, tests both smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. She takes all positive steps with the children to promote safety and prevent accidents in their play, through safe access to the resources. The children have a good awareness of the safety limits, which ensures that they have the freedom to take risks, whilst learning effectively of dangers and ways to protect themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are encouraged to develop their independence through accessing the toys, activities and exploring their surroundings. Risks are carefully assessed to reduce potential hazards and the childminder has written risk assessments which are evaluated daily and recorded. The quality and range of toys and equipment are extremely good and appropriate to the ages and levels of children's development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected by the childminder who has a good understanding of child protection. She has attended all relevant training and has written policies in place. There are detailed procedures in place to ensure that children's welfare is paramount at all times.

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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 outstanding. The children are extremely happy and relaxed and they thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and her family. The children relate well to each other and they are able to extend their social, physical and learning skills through regular visits to groups in the community. For example, they visit local parks, childminding groups and play box. These provide the children with an excellent range of experiences and challenges in interesting settings.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are eager to participate. The childminder is sensitive to their individual needs and offers a flexible child-led approach to the activities and resources that they want to access. She skilfully adapts what she offers to ensure that all the children take part. This enables the younger children to be involved in a variety of creative resources and they experience tactile and sensory materials. For example, children can play with painting, dressing up and musical instruments. The children sit with the childminder to read a book, which fosters their listening skills and helps them to recognise things that are familiar to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a excellent understanding of 'Birth to three matters' framework and has attended training. This is evident in her approach to younger children and the toys that are offered to them. For example, age appropriate crayons, a holistic basket and hardback picture books. She also completes detailed profiles for the under threes, following the stages of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are positive, caring relationships established, which promotes children's confidence and communication skills. The children develop a strong sense of self, which is particularly evident with the toddlers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder offers the children a suitable range of resources and activities that promote a insight of the wider world and an awareness of differences. For example, the children celebrate some festivals and access a range of resources available, depicting some areas of equal opportunities. However, this is an area that requires enhancing to ensure children are made aware of the wider world and local community. The children have regular access to the community which supports her approach. The childminder takes account of all the children's individual needs and this is shared with parents to ensure that they are continually met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour is managed in a caring and sensitive way, which ensures that the children have a good awareness of the boundaries in place, as the childminder is consistent in her approach. The children learn to negotiate and take responsibility for their behaviour. Children share and take turns and care for each other by ensuring that the toys they play with are safe and suitable. The children are encouraged to make choices in their play and develop their independence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are good relationships with parents which contribute to the children's well-being. Parent's views are valued and they are encouraged to visit the childminder before the child starts, so that they can make an informed choice in the care offered. Daily diaries are used with parents

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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 to share information regularly and effectively. The childminder also has profiles for the under three-year- olds, using 'Birth to three matters' information. There are policies and procedures in place which extend the information on the support and care provided, including a complaint procedure that meets with the new regulation. The childminder has a detailed prospectus which includes all relevant information, including policies and procedures, which are given to parents to read. Contracts of agreements are used effectively and reviewed regularly. The childminder has a notice board where she displays her registration certificate, insurance and a weekly menu for parents to see. This ensures that parents needs for their children are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised and efficient in all aspects of her provision. The children are welcomed into a safe and well resourced environment that benefits their well-being. This enables the children to be confident and happy, to initiate their play and learning and to develop accordingly.

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Organisation

There are policies and procedures in place that support the quality of the childminding offered; all documents and records are kept and stored securely and maintain confidentiality.

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Organisation

The childminder is consistently attending training to enhance her skills and knowledge in most areas of childcare. For example, she has already attended 'Birth to three matters', Introduction to Childcare Practice, first aid, Anti Bias awareness and is completing further relevant training. She has received a lot of advice and support from other childminders, which she has accepted. She maintains a professional approach to her role as a childminder.

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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 complaint 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 all accidents forms are fully completed • develop resources to reflect equal opportunites.

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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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