Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY248569 Unique Reference Number 28 February 2007 Inspection date Shazaad Arshad 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 has been registered as a childminder since April 2003. There are five children on roll. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and seven years old. They live in the Hove Edge area of Brighouse. Schools, nursery and local park are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear of the house for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She 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 satisfactory. Children's health is well promoted as the childminder practices good hygienic routines and gives informative explanations to the small children she minds. For example, she provides children with paper towels for hand washing and helps children to understand about keeping clean through appropriate play activities. The childminder is aware of hygiene issues with regard to cleaning toys and equipment. She ensures areas used by the children are clean and the outside is very maintained. There is a clear written policy about illness which is shared with parents and identifies exclusion periods for children who are infectious, safeguarding the health of others and minimising the risk of cross infection in the setting.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy a very good varied range of healthy meals, including fresh fruit and vegetables. Children are encouraged to learn about healthy eating through the use of books and posters which indicates when they have achieved five fruits or vegetables within a day. Children have continuous access to their individual cups or bottles, which the childminder keeps refilled so they do not become thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is updating her first aid training and has permission for to administer emergency treatment, should it be required. All the required records are in place for the recording of any accidents and medication administered. These are mostly appropriately maintained and confidentiality is respected, satisfactorily contributing to the care the children receive.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are active and thoroughly enjoy exercise. The childminder takes children to the local park and to childcare groups where they can access appropriate activities that develop their physical skills. Children also have opportunities to access the setting's garden area, which is very attractive and well maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young babies' emotional needs are sufficiently met and the childminder is keen to develop her skills in looking after young children. They receive many hugs and cuddles and follow their own routines for sleep, rest and play, as discussed and agreed with parents. The childminder is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework training and intends to access this in the near future.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The environment is warm, welcoming and safe for children to play. The childminder gives high priority to children's security and ensures that only those authorised to collect children may do so. Children independently move around the play areas and select age appropriate toys in safety. They enjoy using the toys and equipment which are clean and well maintained and the childminder supervises children closely to ensure all resources are used safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is maintained because the childminder is aware of the hazards and takes many steps to reduce the risk of injury. She uses appropriate equipment and children learn about safety through everyday play experiences. She takes care to ensure that the older children

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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 know to be gentle with the young baby and supervises them well. Such as explaining that toys must not be thrown because they might hurt someone. Simple safety rules are understood by older children. Toys and equipment are checked regularly to ensure they are safe for children. Children are helped to become aware of how to stay safe when out and about because the childminder talks to them about their safety. When travelling in the car, suitable restraints are used in line with seat belt legislation. Children's awareness of what to do in a fire is encouraged through fire drills and there are other fire safety measures in place, such as smoke alarms and a fire blanket.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues and is very aware of the importance of safeguarding children by reporting concerns in line with local child protection procedures. All contact numbers are accessible should the childminder need to pass on any concerns or allegations.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and content in the childminder's care and they communicate and interact well with a caring adult. They enjoy choosing their own activities and they confidently approach the childminder to make their needs known. The childminder is friendly, warm and responsive to the children and there are trusting relationships to help them feel secure. Younger children follow a secure but flexible routine and they know what to expect next.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a varied range of activities which are appropriate for their age and stage of development. They enjoy looking at books, playing with wooden jigsaws and activity centres. The childminder understands young children's developing language and responds appropriately by repeating their words. She is careful to ensure that all children receive attention and young children chatter away happily as they play. For example, they sing nursery rhymes together and talk about their daily activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder takes young children to local childcare groups where they enjoy socialising with others and joining in a variety of different activities. They are learning well through play and interaction with caring adults and their peers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder helps to learn about respect for one another through good role modelling and teaching older children to be gentle with the babies in her care. The childminder has some resources which can be used to build children’s knowledge and understanding of differences but these are limited. The childminder works closely with parents to support children's individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder gives plenty of praise and encouragement to support children’s confidence and they respond well. Children are learning to understand how to behave well and share toys with each other. They take part in activities which involve caring for one another. The childminder understands children's stages of development and manages inappropriate behaviour at a level

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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 which they understand. For example, very young children’s attention is diverted to another activity when playing with the dolls.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is sound. The childminder communicates well with parents on a daily basis and has good written information for parents regarding her provision. She compiles information of children taking part in activities and passes these on to parents so that they are well informed of their children's day. However information on reporting complaints is weak.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is suitable to care for children and is committed to developing her skills and knowledge in the future, particularly in relation to the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Organisation

Children are cared for within a secure routine and they are happy, confident and safe in the environment which is organised appropriately to meet their needs. The organisation of the play areas enables children to choose their own activities and freely access the available resources. Children are always in sight when they are sleeping in the lounge.

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Organisation

The outdoor play area is very organised and attractive for children to enjoy a range of physical games. There are plenty of different large physical play items to choose from for all the age ranges, for example, there are some fixed goalposts and nets.

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Organisation

All documentation is in place and filed securely and daily records are mostly maintained as required. The childminder is aware of the requirement for her to record any complaints received.

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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

The last inspection recommended that the childminder ensure parents confirm in the medication records that medication has been administered and ensure written permission for seeking emergency medical advice and treatment is sought from parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A facility to record medication is in place and the required parental consents have been obtained. The childminder now has a sound understanding of the requirement to obtain parents permission for medication. All records are up to date and in place.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaint made to Ofsted that required that provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet 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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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): • provide a broad range of resources and activities that encourage children to learn about the more diverse wider world • ensure parents are informed of Ofsted's contact details • develop knowledge of 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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