Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY339898 Unique Reference Number 05 February 2007 Inspection date June Rice 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 has been registered since 2006. She lives with her partner and their two year old child. They live in Altofts, near Normanton. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes and a sleeping child can be accommodated in the front bedroom on the first floor of the home. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and there are children on roll. The family has a cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder takes positive steps to reduce the risk of cross infection by following appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines. For example,

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 she sterilises baby equipment and washes hands thoroughly before preparing food. She never changes nappies in the kitchen and uses disposable gloves and aprons. Children benefit from a clear procedure if they are ill. For example, children with an infectious illness remain at home to help reduce the risk of cross infection. If they become ill while being cared for, they are made comfortable and cared for sensitively while waiting to be collected by parents. Children enjoy physical activity. For example, the childminder uses age-appropriate toys and equipment, strategically placed around babies. This encourages them to stretch, reach out and crawl. They enjoy lots of fresh air with regular daily walks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are met well because there is a good exchange of information about their dietary needs. The childminder is very knowledgeable about what food children like, what feeding stages babies are at and what parents wish their children to eat. This ensures that their individual and cultural needs are met well and that their routine remains familiar. Meal times are relaxed and sociable. Babies enjoy feeding themselves and show pleasure through facial expressions and happy sounds. Children are learning about good hygiene practices through activities promoting personal hygiene. For example, looking at teeth and going to the dentist. They play with puzzles and look at books that show illustrations of children washing their hands, brushing teeth and washing faces.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and interesting environment. They are relaxed, feel safe and secure. Children's risk of injury is reduced because the childminder has identified and minimised risks. She uses appropriate safety equipment and visual risk assessments to ensure children's safety. For example, she makes sure the house, toys and equipment are clean. She has organised the home very well and this ensures she has the children within sight and hearing at all times. They safely and independently select from the toys and equipment, which are well presented, age appropriate and meet BS EN safety standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's understanding of personal safety is well promoted through simple explanations and everyday events. Children look at books that promote their understanding of road safety and accept the need to use suitable restraints in vehicles. Children are kept safe from harm because the childminder has a very clear understanding of child protection. She is familiar with possible signs and symptoms and has a clear understanding of procedures to be followed. There is a clear child protection policy that is shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are developing strong relationships with the childminder. They are comfortable in their environment, settled and feel very much at home. She is sensitive to their needs and babies enjoy lots of individual attention and interaction with her. They are very happy and respond positively to her voice, constant praise and words of encouragement. For example, children sit with the childminder and enjoy a story. They get a sense of security from her cuddles and enjoy looking at the pictures, listening carefully to her voice.

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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 They achieve well because the childminder has a good understanding of the age and stage of development of the children who attend. She knows her children well and provides achievable goals. For example, they are included fully during craft activities that are adapted to suit individual children. Toddlers enjoy finger painting, making snowman pictures alongside older children. While playing on the floor babies strive to grab toys of interest by reaching out for those placed strategically around them. They develop new skills and enjoy learning to feed themselves, smiling brightly when they are praised for their achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have developed a strong bond with the childminder and feel a sense of belonging. They are well behaved, skilfully motivated and respond enthusiastically to the childminder, who keeps them well occupied. Babies show their enjoyment of being close to the childminder. They enjoy gentle cuddles and soothing words of encouragement. They smile and open their eyes wide in excitement as she plays with them, mimicking their sounds of communication and facial expressions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are treated with equal concern. Well-established systems are in place that ensure a good exchange of information between parents and childminder. This helps children benefit from her knowledge and understanding of their individual needs. For example, she is quick to establish meal times and sleeping patterns that are consistent with their home routines and feel familiar. Children benefit from a small selection of positive images portrayed through toys. However, the planning of activities does not provide sufficient opportunities to further develop children's awareness of diversity.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit because the childminder plans and organises her day, environment and resources effectively and this provides children with lots of opportunities to learn through play. Children enjoy a varied day that remains flexible to meet children's individual needs and provides them with a good balance of well-organised activities. They enjoy the opportunity to make independent choices from a wide selection of toys and equipment suitable for their ages and stages of development.

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Organisation

Children's welfare and care is promoted well. The childminder keeps a good standard of records on the children in her care. She holds a recognised childcare qualification and is committed to continual improvement. For example, since registration she has achieved a Cache level 3 in home based childcare and updated her food hygiene qualification. Children benefit because the childminder provides parents with comprehensive information about her provision and keeps them well informed about how their child has been and what they have been doing. All required documentation is in place and completed appropriately.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

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 of 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 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 resources that reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability are used effectively to promote children's understanding of diversity.

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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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