Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY338659 Unique Reference Number 08 December 2006 Inspection date Diane Lynn Turner 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 lives with her husband and two children aged five and two-years-old in a detached house in the village of Strensall, which is situated on the outskirts of York. All of the ground floor of the childminder's home and a bedroom on the first floor is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden at both the front and rear of the house for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently minding one child under five-years-old on a part time basis.

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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 kept healthy whilst in the care of the childminder because she follows effective routines and practices. For example, she ensures her home is kept clean in all areas, cleans toys on a regular basis and she talks to the parents about the care of children who are ill so they know when they should not attend. She is very effective in helping children to learn about the importance of following good practices in their self care. For example, she supports young children very well during the potty training stage. She provides lots of praise when they are successful and encourages them to wash and dry their hands after using this. She provides liquid soap dispensers and disposable towels for hand washing to help prevent the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder understands the importance of providing children with opportunities to develop their physical skills and enjoy the benefits of fresh air. For example, they are able to play in the garden, which has a range of equipment including a slide and wheeled toys and they enjoy fresh air as they walk back from school. They also take part in music and movement activities indoors. Children are able to rest according to their needs. The sleep patterns of young children are discussed with the parents and opportunities are made for quiet times during the day, such as reading stories and looking at books.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is currently providing snacks only. She understands the importance of promoting healthy eating and provides items, such as fresh and dried fruit, cheese and organically produced biscuits for children to enjoy at snack time. They sit together at the table to eat their food and the childminder encourages them to develop good manners and social skills at these times. Drinks are made readily available at all times.

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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 and very well maintained environment. The childminder checks all areas before they arrive each day to ensure the necessary precautions, such as safety gates and socket covers are in place. She checks the smoke detectors on a regular basis to ensure these remain in working order and ensures the premises are kept secure at all times. Children are cared for in a designated play room. This has child height furniture so they can take part in table top activities comfortably and a sofa where they can relax and sit and look at books. The floor has ceramic tiles and the childminder has coved an area of this with suitable material so young children can sit comfortably and play. However, this does not cover a sufficiently large area to enable a young baby to play comfortably.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures children are well supervised at all times. For example, she sits with them when they are eating as she is very aware of the dangers of choking. She encourages them to learn how to keep themselves safe. She talks to them about crossing the road safely on the walk back from school and encourages them to help tidy away the toys and resources after use to prevent trips and falls.

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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 have access to a good range of well maintained toys and resources. These are easily accessible and are appropriate to the age and stage of development of the children who attend. Children are able to make their own choices and are well occupied.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from possible abuse. The childminder has a sound understanding of the possible indicators of abuse and knows what to do if she has concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well at the childminder's home. She is attentive, interested in what they have to say and has a very caring approach. As a result children develop close and trusting relationships with her. They clearly feel at home and relate well to the childminder's own children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses the good range of resources very well to support the children's play and learning. For example, she encourages them to build using construction materials, such as bricks. They enthusiastically make towers with these and laugh with delight as they knock them over. The childminder encourages them to learn about colours as they play with the resources and she provides opportunities for musical activities. For example, children enjoy using the key board to explore different sounds. They also enjoy using role play resources to help develop their imagination. For example, they take care of the dolls, pretend to take them for walks in the pushchair and use play food to make meals.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have opportunities to develop their language skills as they listen to stories and are able to play socially with others. For example, the childminder regularly takes them to visit another childminder to join in with the play and activities of the children in her care. Children are settled, well behaved and have good opportunities to develop their independence as they decide what they want to play and freely access their own toys and resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are warmly welcomed into the childminder's home. She finds out as much as she can about their individual needs and encourages them to make several visits with their parents so they feel comfortable and confident when the placement begins. She is receptive to caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good understanding of behaviour management. She is a good role model for children to follow as she is very patient in her approach and uses lots of praise to acknowledge their achievements. Children play well together, readily help at tidy up time and learn to use good manners at times, such as snack.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have some opportunities to learn about the wider world, particularly their local environment. For example, they get to know people who live in the local area as they walk from school, observe birds and have opportunities to play socially with others as they visit another

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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 childminder. The resources and activities within the home to support their understanding of diversity are, however, limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures she develops positive relationships with the parents. She provides some written information about the service, uses contracts which cover all areas, and keeps them informed about their child's care and activities through chats at the end of the day. Parents are keen to express their satisfaction of the service, the care and the activities provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home and at ease in the childminder's care. The provision of a well organised and supportive environment enables them to move about comfortably and develop their confidence to initiate their own play and learning.

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Organisation

All aspects of the service are discussed with the parents and the childminder has devised an information sheet that gives an overview of the service. This includes information about the childminder, her business hours and the provision of meals. It does not, however, include information about the role of Ofsted and the contact number should parents have any concerns about the service.

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Organisation

The childminder has a detailed personal emergency plan, which includes having another registered childminder who can be called upon in an emergency. Parents and children are invited to meet this childminder before the placement begins so they feel comfortable with the arrangement. All documentation is in place to ensure the service operates safely and efficiently. It is well organised, easily accessible and kept up to date. 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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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 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): • develop the toys and resources to help raise children's awareness of diversity • provide parents with information about Ofsted's role and contact number • develop the resources to enable very young babies to play comfortably on the floor in the play room.

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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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