Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY339406 Unique Reference Number 06 February 2007 Inspection date Karen Cockings 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 five years and 15 months, in a village near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. The playroom, dining kitchen and toilet facilities on the ground floor are used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She currently minds one child during the day and three children before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local children's groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds an appropriate early years qualification.

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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 comfortable environment, where the childminder maintains good standards of hygiene. Children are encouraged to follow safe hygiene practice and have easy access to toilet and hand washing facilities. They have their own face cloths and a step to help them to reach the sink. They like to use the children's soap dispenser, which encourages them to be thorough when washing their hands. The childminder is aware of any allergies so that she can provide appropriate care. She discusses children's individual needs with parents, such as sleep and feeding patterns and comforters, to ensure that care is consistent with children's normal routines. She has first aid and food hygiene training and keeps her first aid kit readily available. Any accidents are appropriately recorded and the records are shared with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have many opportunities for outdoor activity, which contributes to their overall good health. They walk to and from school and enjoy visits to nearby parks, farms and indoor play centres. They like to practise climbing and balancing skills and to visit the animals at the farm. There is a fully enclosed garden at the childminder's home where children can safely play. Indoors, children can move around freely and have fun making up their own physical games, such as trying to walk with a toy grasped between their knees.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy eating patterns are promoted well. The childminder provides fresh fruit and yoghurt for snacks and cooks well balanced meals for children who stay for lunch and tea. She finds ways of disguising vegetables in other foods to encourage children to have a more varied diet. Sample menus are shared with parents so that they have a good understanding of the range of foods provided. Older children help to cut up fruit for snack and go shopping with the childminder for their favourites. Drinks are readily available so that children can drink whenever they are thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder gives high priority to children's safety, taking positive steps to maintain a secure environment for them. She ensures that outer doors are kept locked and there are alarms fitted. Safety equipment, such as stair gates and electricity socket covers, are in place. She has addressed issues raised at registration and taken suitable measures to minimise risks to children. For example, she has a heavy-duty cloth on the glass topped table in the kitchen and she makes sure that trailing wires near the computer are tucked away behind the desk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The areas used for children's play are well organised to provide safe space for a variety of experiences and activities. Toys are stored in low level boxes, cupboards and suspended baskets, so that children can make their own selections. The childminder ensures that the toys she provides meet safety standards. She regularly checks and cleans them to keep them in good condition.

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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 develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe because the childminder explains to them about dangers and encourages them to follow safe practice. For example, she talks to them about the need to tidy one game away before taking out new equipment so that they do not fall over toys. During outings children learn how to cross roads safely. They know that they must stay near the childminder, wait at the kerb and look and listen for traffic. Fire safety is addressed well and suitable appliances, such as smoke detectors and a fire blanket, are in place. Emergency evacuation plans are displayed and practised with children so that they become familiar with the procedures to follow.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities with regard to child protection. She has attended relevant training and has some prior experience of dealing with such concerns. Guidance materials are readily available for reference, although local procedures are in need of updating and the childminder does not, as yet, have anything in writing to share with parents about her responsibilities in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well in the childminder's care. They interact confidently with her and talk readily with visitors. They are keen to describe what they are doing and have a wide vocabulary. For example, they talk about the different 'attachments' on the play dough tool and are able to say how they are used. They identify and name their favourite dinosaurs. Children use language well to make their needs known. The childminder interacts positively with them, encouraging them to make choices and to develop their own ideas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a varied range of activities, both indoors and outside. The childminder plans regular outings in the local community, including visits to nearby farms and play centres. She carefully observes children's involvement and is guided by their interests. She uses her observations effectively to extend children's play. For example, after a visit to the farm the children set up a toy animal park in the garden and talk with her about how to look after the animals and what they eat, developing their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. Children are helped to count and to match colours as they play games together and as part of daily routines. They enjoy playing creatively with different materials, such as making cakes and having a tea party with the play dough, drawing pictures and cutting out patterns from waste papers and magazines. The childminder keeps a diary in which she notes daily events

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and activities, including what she feels the children have gained from the experiences offered. This helps her to plan a suitable range of activities for them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children build positive relationships with the childminder and with each other. Older children like to be helpful and are given some responsibility. For example, they help to sweep up the bits of dough on the floor and to set up the table for a new activity. They show understanding and acceptance of younger children who sometimes disrupt their games in their eagerness to be involved. Children learn about the need to share and to play cooperatively together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder treats children with equal concern and shows them that they are valued. For example, she takes care to place a model that a child has been working on out of reach of younger children so that it will not be damaged. She spends time talking to parents and observing children so that she can find out about their needs and interests. Children are encouraged to make choices about their play and can easily access most resources. They become aware of the wider society through regular outings in the surrounding area and opportunities to mix with other children and adults. There are some resources, such as books and jigsaws, that reflect positive images and help to raise children's awareness of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good and they respond well to the childminder's positive approach. They develop a sense of responsibility as they help to clear away toys and keep the playroom tidy. They ask politely if they want a toy that they are not able to reach for themselves. Older children show understanding of the needs of younger ones, accepting that, at times, toddlers may need more attention or may not be able to play a game properly. Children develop confidence in themselves because they know that the childminder is interested in what they say and do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is building positive relationships with parents. She is developing a helpful introductory file, which provides new parents with useful information about her service. Important documentation, such as the registration certificate, is displayed. The childminder talks to parents about the day's events and children's progress at collection times. She understands her responsibilities with regard to dealing with any concerns or complaints, but has not as yet developed a formal system for sharing these procedures with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a well organised environment, which promotes their safety, learning and welfare. There is a designated play area with comfortable furniture and easy access to toys and play materials. The childminder is knowledgeable about child development and has many years experience of working with children in other settings. She has attended a range of training to support and develop her practice. She is developing good links with other childcare providers and knows where she can access support and advice if needed.

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Organisation

Record keeping is maintained well and stored securely. The childminder is steadily developing written policies and procedures to support most important areas of her practice and linked to the National Standards and Guidance. This helps to ensure that her service operates smoothly and that children's welfare is promoted.

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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

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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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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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): • review and update information about local child protection procedures and ensure that parents have a clear understanding of the childminder's responsibilities • develop procedures for dealing with complaints and for informing parents about how they may raise any concerns about the service provided.

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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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