Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY336468 Unique Reference Number 07 November 2006 Inspection date Annette Stanger 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 husband in Halifax and within close proximity to local amenities. The whole ground floor and the bathroom and second bedroom on the first floor is used for childminding and 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 and is currently minding two children under five. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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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 actively promotes and supports most aspects of children's health. Their awareness of healthy practices is encouraged through daily routines and general discussion, where they are reminded of the importance of washing their hands before meals and after using the toilet. The childminder has obtained written consent from parents for the seeking of any necessary medical advice or treatment in the future. She has documentation to record any accidents and medication given, and systems are in place to ensure written parental consent is sought prior to administering any medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy physical activities both indoors and out, contributing to their physical development and encouraging them to be physically active. For example, children use local parks where they can run around in open space, and the childminder’s garden where they can play on the swing, seesaw and sit-and-ride toys to develop their gross motor skills. As well as providing opportunities for active play children are also able to rest and relax according to their individual needs and routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a suitably healthy diet with vegetables accompanying most meals. They are provided with regular drinks throughout the day and there are good arrangements in place for children who cannot ask. Information on children's dietary needs and any allergies are requested from parents and recorded in the appropriate way, in order to protect children and meet their individual requirements.

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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 mostly safe environment, in which the childminder identifies and minimises most risks appropriately. The space is organised suitably to allow children to freely explore and independently select resources which interest them. They have safe access to toys and resources and these are suitable for their age and stage of development. The childminder checks these regularly to ensure there are no broken parts that may pose a danger to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Measures are in place to ensure children cannot leave the premises unsupervised and safety gates restrict access to certain rooms, which means that children are under the direct supervision of the childminder. Some fire safety precautions have been taken, a fire blanket is in place, procedures for emergency evacuation have been considered and smoke alarms are sited on two of the three levels of the premises. However, evacuation procedures have not been practised to highlight any problems which may be encountered when carried out with the children and smoke alarms are not sited on every level of the premises.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of her responsibility towards child protection and that this is her first priority. She has satisfactory knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms of children at risk and the appropriate procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child. Her

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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 willingness to document any existing injuries and to discuss these with parents, ensures that the safety of the children remains a priority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. Warm and caring relationships are evident and the childminder responds well to children’s non-verbal communication, using her voice and facial expression. Children participate in a balanced range of free play opportunities and resources are regularly rotated by the childminder to offer variety and to maintain their interest. Children enjoy playing and constructing with blocks, pressing buttons on musical toys to make different things happen and generally exploring their environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from individual routines that are consistent with experiences at home, resulting in them being secure and content in their surroundings. The childminder ensures there is time for active play and time to relax, accommodating their needs appropriately.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has attended training in 'Birth to three matters' and is keen to continue to implement this into her practice to further enrich children's experiences and their overall development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder follows individual routines in accordance with parents' wishes and this ensures their individual needs are met. The range of resources that reflect diversity and acknowledge cultural differences is limited, and there are no positive images of disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages behaviour in a way that is developmentally appropriate, and children are encouraged to share resources and be kind to one another. Distraction techniques are used to manage younger children's behaviour and this is successful in redirecting any unwanted behaviour. Explanation is used for older children to help them gain an understanding of right and wrong. The childminder also encourages good behaviour through the use of praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children settle well in the childminder's care because she takes heed of the information provided by parents. Essential information is recorded on individual child detail forms and this enables appropriate care to be given in line with parents' wishes. Daily verbal exchanges and written care notes ensure parents receive general information regarding their child’s care. Each child also has a record of achievement containing examples of their work, which is dated to show the progress they are making. These records are shared with parents to keep them well informed of their child’s progress and development.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder uses her time appropriately to ensure that she meets the individual needs of the children in her care, such as time to eat, rest and play. Required adult to child ratios are met, which ensures children are appropriately supervised and supported.

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Organisation

The space is organised to promote children's independence and allow free movement and easy access to age-appropriate resources.

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Organisation

All of the required documentation is in place to promote the care and welfare of 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. 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 the fire evacuation plan is practised with the children • ensure there is a smoke alarm sited on every level of the premises • extend the range of resources which reflect positive images.

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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 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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