Childminder in Calderdale

Inspection report for early years provision

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303616 Unique Reference Number 03 April 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 1991. She lives with her husband, mother and two children aged 22 and 19 years. They live in the Bailiff Bridge area of Brighouse. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear of the home for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and currently has four children on roll aged under eight years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools, to take and collect children. There are shops and a local park within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is well promoted as the childminder practices good hygienic routines and gives informative explanations to all the children. For example, she provides children with paper

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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 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 area is risk assessed before children are allowed to play. There are clear written agreements about illness which are shared with parents and identify 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 indicate when they have achieved five fruits or vegetables within a day. The childminder has a very good understanding of healthy eating and ensures all foods are checked for nutritional content and that the food is appropriate for the age range of the children in her care. Children have continuous access to drinking water or fresh juice which ensures they can have a drink when they are thirsty.

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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

The childminder has completed training in the area of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and is confident in providing care to meet the needs of young babies. For example, following babies' routines for sleep, rest and play, as discussed and agreed with parents.

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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 areas used for outdoor play are risk assessed and supervises the children well. For example, on outings and walks children must walk in pairs and always be in sight and 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. Children's awareness of what to do in a fire is encouraged through posters on the wall and there are other fire safety measures in place, such as smoke alarms and a fire

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

blanket. Although she is confident of administering first aid, her first aid training certificate has recently expired.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has previously attended child protection training and has a clear understanding of child protection issues and is very aware of the importance of safeguarding children by reporting concerns. She has up to date contact numbers in line with local child protection procedures to report any concerns or allegations.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and content in the childminder's care and they communicate and interact well with the childminder. 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. Older children follow a secure but flexible routine and they are confident and independent.

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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 jigsaws and role play games. The childminder understands the children's individual needs and responds appropriately by engaging herself in the activities. She is careful to ensure that all children receive attention and that they feel relaxed. For example, they play board games together and talk about their daily activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder takes children for walks and to local places of interest, 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. Discussions about the outings improve communication skills and they confidently talk about their plans for the Easter holidays.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder helps children to learn about respect for one another through good role modelling and teaching older children about the wider world. 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 behave very well and take turns to share the use of computer games 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 which they understand.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is very good. The childminder communicates well with parents on a daily basis and has good written information for parents regarding her provision. Parents comment positively about the service provided. 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.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. 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 inside the home.

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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 balls, hoops and nets.

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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 All documentation is in place and filed securely and daily records are maintained as required. The childminder is aware of the requirement for her to record any complaints received. These are appropriately maintained and confidentiality is respected, satisfactorily contributing to the care the children receive.

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Organisation

The childminder has made arrangements to update her first aid training in July and has permission to administer emergency treatment should it be required. At the present time her first aid training has expired. This is a breach of the requirements of registration.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection recommended that the childminder increases existing resources to reflect positive images of disability.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now has purchased new equipment, which includes play figures and posters. The new equipment is used by the children and enhances their knowledge and understanding around different abilities.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required that provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet 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): • provide a broad range of resources and activities that encourage children to learn about the more diverse wider world • ensure first aid training is updated.

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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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