Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY265367 Unique Reference Number 27 February 2007 Inspection date Shaheen Matloob 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 September 2003 alongside her husband and daughter who are also registered childminders within the same premises. Overnight care for two children under eight is provided as part of the childminding service. The childminder lives in a mid-terraced house with her husband and two children. Her home is situated in the Skircoat Green area of Halifax and is close to all local amenities and schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Childminding takes place on the ground floor of the home, with children accessing the first floor bathroom facilities. One first floor bedroom is used for sleeping children and when requiring overnight care. The home does not have an outdoor play area. The family have a pet dog who is kept on the lower ground floor during childminding hours. The childminder walks daily to take and collect children from one of the local schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and 12 children when working with her co-childminders. They are currently caring for 18 children between them,

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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 whom all attend various sessions, including five children over eight who attend before and after school. Two of the childminders have joint responsibility for the childminding practice and the third co-childminder works in a supportive role.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy an exciting range of energetic, physical play and activities that contribute towards a healthy lifestyle. A spacious environment offers children good opportunities to move freely and explore their surroundings. Children confidently move their bodies to music as they eagerly demonstrate their dance moves. They develop physical skills and control their bodies as they enjoy a game of musical chairs. The childminder promotes the importance of fresh air and exercise and ensures that children are frequently taken on outings and walks. Good arrangements are in place which allow children to rest and sleep according to their individual needs and care routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through established daily routines, in order to prevent the spread of infection. Children clearly understand that they must wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet because it stops germs getting into their tummies and making them poorly. High levels of hygiene are maintained throughout the home, including areas used by children. Effective health and hygiene procedures, such as individual towels for hand washing and the use of disposable gloves for nappy changing, ensure that such levels of hygiene are sustained and prevent cross-contamination.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from infection. A clear sickness policy ensures that the childminder acts in the best interests of children and protects others from illness and infection. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate. Accident and medication records fully meet requirements in order to protect and keep children safe. The childminder promotes dental hygiene and children are encouraged to brush their teeth after meals. Children know that brushing their teeth 'will stop your teeth dropping off'.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. The childminder has a good knowledge of healthy eating and understands that a good balanced diet is vital to promote children's healthy growth and development. As a result, children benefit from a range of freshly prepared, wholesome and healthy snacks and meals. Clear records indicate dietary requirements and preferences. Children's individual dietary needs are catered for in accordance with parents' wishes. Children independently access fresh drinking water throughout the day. Children play an active part in the life of the setting as they make decisions about their meals, deciding what they are having for their meals as well as setting and clearing the table.

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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

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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 safe environment where adults and children are greeted warmly on arrival. Children's artwork is respected and displayed attractively within the setting, giving children a sense of belonging. Children use an excellent range of exciting, good quality, safe and developmentally appropriate toys and equipment, which offer good challenges and keep children motivated. Toys and play provision are organised at child height and on the floor in brightly coloured baskets to allow all children to make independent choices about their play. All toys and equipment are checked and cleaned frequently to ensure that they remain safe and prevent later accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is vigilant about children's safety and takes positive steps to keep children safe. Continuous thorough risk assessments and daily visual checks ensure that hazards are identified and minimised. She uses her knowledge of children's developing abilities to implement appropriate safety measures, therefore avoiding dangerous situations. Children learn to keep themselves safe indoors as the childminder points out potential hazards and reinforces house rules, such as no jumping on furniture. Clear and effective arrival and departure procedures mean that children are kept safe and only released into the care of a named and responsible adult. Outings are planned properly and in advance to promote children's safety and welfare. Children are closely supervised and restraints are used at all times. Children have a clear understanding of road safety as they eagerly describe how they must 'stop at the road' and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

'press the button' for the green man to appear before crossing the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected because the childminder has a secure understanding of child protection issues. A good understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect ensures the childminder safeguards children's welfare and their protection is a priority. Effective procedures protect children from persons who are not vetted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settle well. They have excellent relationships at all levels as they play alongside each other, and one child talks about how sharing is good for you. Children happily talk about how much they enjoy coming to the childminder's and discuss their favourite activities, such as painting and dancing to music. Children thoroughly enjoy music and movement as they move spontaneously within the available space, moving freely with pleasure and extreme confidence. They listen, sing and mime the actions to their favourite nursery rhymes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are clearly confident about making decisions as they choose from a wide range of play provision. They explore and investigate role play, making good use of the play kitchen and the vast range of utensils and crockery to make 'tea'. Children show a good awareness of safety through play as one child patiently explains to another that they 'can't touch, it's hot'. Children show an interest in numbers and use numbers of personal significance spontaneously in their play. For example, they talk about how they are having a birthday: 'It's my birthday, I am two'. This prompts other children to talk about how old they are.

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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 Children are fully involved and interested in a range of activities which support their development and learning. Children play matching games, which promote colour and shape recognition as they find the correct nose to go with their picture card. For example, children know that they need to look for a beak to match their duck. Children show a keen interest in this game and are extremely patient as they all sit quietly waiting for their turn.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children demonstrate care and concern for others as they engage in role play. They care for various doll patients as they proceed make them better, using a doctor's kit because 'they have got chicken pox'. Children use the doctor's equipment appropriately, such as a stethoscope to listen and check their patients' chests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder treats children with equal concern, valuing their individuality and meeting their needs effectively. All children take part in the activities, which are adapted to suit the needs and abilities of individual children. Children benefit from a meaningful range of resources and activities which promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's understanding of others. Children play together harmoniously as they share, take turns and cooperate with each other. Children talk about how it is 'good to share things'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Strategies used to manage children's behaviour are consistent. Methods, such as distraction and time out take into account children's age and level of understanding. Clear and realistic boundaries effectively promote children's welfare and development. Sensitive explanations help children to understand what is expected of them and the impact of their behaviour on others. As a result, children are consistently well behaved and polite. Children's self-esteem is promoted as they are praised for their good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have their individual needs met by the childminder, who works closely in partnership with parents. She has developed a mutually trusting and supportive relationship with parents who value and appreciate the service provided. Comments, such as 'My children couldn't be happier' and 'The childminder meets my children's needs fully' echo the good quality service. Parents receive quality information about the provision in the form of a parents' pack. Written records and daily verbal communication is used to keep parents well informed of their child's activities, developmental progress and general well-being, in order to enhance continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child development and a high regard for the well-being of children in her care. She works alongside two co-childminders and all three work well as a team and positively support children's care, learning and play. Space and resources are organised effectively and the childminder follows children's individual care routines to promote their welfare, care and development. Children are secure and self-assured in their environment, including new children, who settle well and confidently initiate and extend

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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 their own play and learning. The childminder has a clear commitment to improvement and has identified further training and professional development issues in order to enhance her knowledge.

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Organisation

All mandatory documentation is accessible and in place. The childminder is aware of the need to record complaints and significant issues. However, currently there is no system in place to record either of these. Additional policies and procedures are clear and organised. Record keeping systems are used well to manage and meet children's needs and maintain confidentiality. All three co-childminders fully understand and implement the setting's policies and procedures, which work well in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment and ability to make a positive contribution. 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

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to: improve first aid and medication records to ensure parental signatures conform to National Standards requirements; keep a daily record of all adults caring for children; and continue to develop play provision, giving particular attention to provision for three to five year olds and to promoting equal opportunity issues.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made significant progress and has fully addressed the previous recommendations. Parental consent has been obtained regarding medication and medical treatment and the childminder holds a valid first aid certificate, in order to protect and keep children safe. Records are available of her co-childminders who also care for children, and the childminder has a wide range of toys and play provision which is developmentally appropriate for all children and offers good challenges. A meaningful range of resources is available, which positively promotes equality and anti-discriminatory practice and helps to promote children's understanding of the wider world.

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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 complaint 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 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): • devise a system to record significant issues and keep a record of any complaints made.

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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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