Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY263154 Unique Reference Number 25 October 2006 Inspection date Margaret Shelborn 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 2003. She lives with her husband, who occasionally works as an assistant and two children aged eight and four-years-old. The family home is in the Howden Clough area of Batley. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden 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 caring for five children. The childminder walks to school to take and collect children, she visits parks, the library and a parent and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have two guinea pigs, a rabbit and a dog.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment. Good hygiene procedures are in place to promote their health. For example, regular hand washing, paper towels are available for drying hands and anti-bacterial soap and wipes are used. Children learn about good hygiene procedures as the childminder plans themes and projects about good hygiene practices. The children say it is very important to wash your hands after visiting the toilet, before eating and after handling the animals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children access many activities, which develop their physical skills and these include walking to and from school, going on outings to the local park and places of interest, as well as accessing large and small equipment in the childminder's garden. Children themselves recognise fresh air and physical exercise is good for you

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Helping children to be healthy

Children individual dietary needs are discussed with parents prior to care commencing. This ensures that children are looked after in accordance with parent's wishes and their individual dietary needs are met. Children's drinks are available, they have their own cups or flasks that are refilled as they empty. Healthy snacks are provided by the childminder, children have a choice of fruit mid morning and in the afternoon. The childminder works in partnership with parents regarding healthy eating as they provide a packed lunch for their children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework to record children's development, photographs and written evidence support how children are developing through healthy choices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children can move freely and play safely within the home as the childminder ensures that any risks are minimised. To ensure children are safe the childminder adheres to all the required safety. For example, unused sockets are covered, a fire blanket is easily accessible in the kitchen, smoke detectors are in place and doors are kept locked. The fire evacuation procedure is regularly practised with the children and glass doors have been covered with safety film.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can freely self-select from an excellent range of age appropriate toys and resources, all of which are clean and well maintained. Children can easily access which toys they want to play with, as they are stored in a way that promotes freedom of choice. The childminder encourages the children to replace toys and resources they have finished playing with before getting other resources out for their own safety. Older children say toys have to be put away as the babies could fall over them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder shows good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues which helps her protect children from harm and neglect. She has recently completed a child protection course and is clear about the appropriate procedures to follow if she has any concerns about

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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 a child in her care. The childminder shares these procedures with parents through a child protection policy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very confident in their surroundings and talk happily to the childminder about important events in their lives. This helps them develop a sense of belonging. They are very keen for the childminder to join in their play as they play a picture game. Children have easy access to an excellent choice of resources. For example, role play resources, dressing up clothes, dolls, pushchairs, books, jigsaws and a extensive selection of age appropriate games. The childminder plans specific topics, such as Halloween, the house has been decorated by the children with posters, cobwebs, bats and spiders of all sizes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from structured and free play times. For example, they are offered help and good support by the childminder during completing their homework. They join in a planned activity making a bonfire poster, the children have collected leafs when out walking and the childminder has provided an excellent choice of collage materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework to record the development of her children aged three and under. In the children's individual daily diaries, photographs and written evidence supports what the childminder is observing within a child's development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children settle very well, they are treated with equal concern and they participate fully in all the activities as the childminder values and respects their individuality. Children have access to a very good range of resources that reflect the diversity of the world and disability, such as jigsaws, different ethnic costumes, dolls with different skin tones and a very good selection of books. They participate in celebrating in different customs such as Chinese new year, Eid and Diwali. Children are taken out in the community, they visit the nearby elderly persons home under the supervision of the childminder to sing Christmas songs and give the residents small gifts.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved, happy and settled. They play well together and are very caring towards each other, they share and take turns when playing games. The older children are very caring towards the younger children asking them to join in and supporting them in their play. A detailed behaviour policy is shared with parents and older children add their own contributions to the rules of the house.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are warm and friendly, they receive written and verbal information on a daily basis about their child. This two-way flow of information ensures consistency of care. Parents receive written information regarding the service and are provided with a copy of all the childminder's policies and procedures. The childminder provides all parents with a regular newsletter.

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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. Children benefit from the childminder's good organisation of the premises which provides them with sufficient space to play and enables them to access resources independently. Children are very relaxed in the childminder's care, they feel at ease and they enjoy her company.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended additional training. She displays her certificate of registration and most documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the provision is available. However, the childminder does not have a valid first aid certificate. This means that children's health and safety will be compromised in the event of an accident, which is a breach of the National Standards.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has a written fire evacuation in place which is regularly carried out so children are aware of the procedures. The childminder uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework to record a child's development, progress and what activities the child has been involved in. The childminder has extended resources to reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. The improvements have added to the well-being of the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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): • complete a first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children.

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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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