Gabbatiss Susan

Gabbatiss Susan Inspection report for early years provision

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321192 Unique Reference Number 28 March 2007 Inspection date Katy Elizabeth Wynn 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 1988. She lives with her husband and two children aged 19 and 16 years in the Woodthorpe area of York. They live within easy walking distance of the local primary school, shops, parks and other local amenities. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there are toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family have two rats that the minded children do not have access to.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 13 children on roll, of whom five are under five years; all attend part-time and varied sessions. The childminder is a member of the local childminding support group and the Woodthorpe Community Partnership.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and very well-presented home where they learn the importance of good hygiene procedures and develop very good personal self-care skills from an early age.

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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 They are beginning to understand why they need to wash their hands through discussion and routines. The childminder has highly effective hygiene procedures in place to keep children free from infection; for example, not accepting sick children into her care, cleaning all toys and play equipment on a regular basis, washing her own hands between each nappy change, and ensuring children have their own individual paper towels to dry their hands on.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an extensive range of activities which contributes to their good health. Children get plenty of robust physical exercise. They use the outdoor facilities, including the climbing frame and have good control over their bodies. They go for daily walks to the local schools and park where they benefit from fresh air and gentle exercise. From an early age the children have a positive attitude towards exercise and fresh air as the childminder talks to them about the benefits of exercise, such as helping you to sleep and keeping you fit. The childminder has a very good understanding about appropriate types of activities and promotes a healthy lifestyle with exercise, diet, sleep, fresh air and healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a well-balanced and nourishing diet as the childminder has a very good knowledge of healthy eating. Children are beginning to understand what is good for them as the childminder encourages them to eat their 'five-a-day' fruit and vegetables. They enjoy an extensive range of snacks as the childminder ensures the children experience new tastes and textures, for example, fruit, breadsticks and cheese cubes. Drinks are freely accessed by the children throughout the day so that they remain hydrated. Children's dietary needs and allergies are recorded on their records.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has effective procedures in place for dealing with accidents and emergencies, and has completed her first aid training which ensures that she can deal with accidents immediately. All the required paperwork for recording accidents and the administration of medication is maintained accurately. This ensures children's safety and well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a very safe and secure environment where risks have been identified and minimised. The premises are kept very secure, a stair gate is in place to prevent younger children gaining access to the stairs and all hazardous materials are kept out of reach of children. The childminder talks to children about decisions she has made regarding their safety, for example, she tells younger children that she is moving the small world garage out of their way so that they do not slip on it as they cruise around furniture. She has thought about many additional safety measures to put in place for younger children, such as door protectors to prevent doors closing on children's fingers. Appropriate detection and prevention measures are in place in case of fire, and emergency evacuation procedures are practised with the children. This helps them to learn how to keep themselves safe. Children are provided with an extensive range of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

toys and equipment which are colourful, age appropriate, clean, well maintained and meet safety standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. The childminder has a very good understanding of child protection procedures; she could recognise the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. Clearly written policies and procedures are in place, which are shared with parents so they are aware of her responsibilities.

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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 extremely happy in the childminder's care, they enjoy the time that they spend with her and have warm and affectionate relationships with each other. They have their individual needs met and are developing in all areas because the childminder provides a wide range of activities and play opportunities. The childminder is starting to use aspects of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and Foundation Stage training to extend the activities she offers to the children, however, she has not put these fully into day to day practice yet. Children develop their imagination, creative and investigative skills through activities, such as play dough, treasure baskets, gluing and colouring.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder offers excellent support as children play because she gets down to their level. Younger children's language skills develop as the childminder constantly interacts with them, talking to them and listening to their responses. Daily routines ensure that young children are happy and very well cared for. Frequent, meaningful praise and encouragement helps children to develop good levels of confidence and self-esteem. The childminder sets out a good range of toys and resources for children to play with. Regular opportunities are provided for them to play in the home or mix with other children when visiting toddler groups and the local childminding groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are fully met because the childminder takes the time to get to know the children and their families. Children are treated as part of the family and their individual needs are addressed and supported; the childminder's own children welcome the childminding children into their home. The childminder responds warmly towards the children and they delight in her company. Children are provided with a broad range of meaningful activities and resources that teach them about the wider world; they celebrate festivals, such as Chinese New Year and access toys that reflect diversity, for example, dolls, books and posters. Children learn about their local community and environment as they walk to local amenities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She displays a positive attitude to caring for children with such needs. She would work closely with outside agencies and parents to ensure that all children's individual needs are met. Children behave extremely well because they are kept fully occupied and know what is expected of them. They are constantly praised, given cuddles and smiles by the childminder, which supports their self-esteem and helps to develop good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops excellent relationships with parents; children's individual needs are discussed during arrival and collection times and through home diaries, which record the child's daily routines and activities. A book of photographs and observations of children as they participate in the many activities provided, is available. Parents are provided with a comprehensive portfolio of the childminder's policies and procedures, which include a complaints procedure, and a child-friendly document which introduces the childminder and her family. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their child's care and learning, as the childminder provides them with information regarding activities. The childminder has an extremely positive attitude towards working with parents to ensure that she offers the highest quality of care to each of the children in her care. She is flexible in her practice to ensure that she meets the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

individual needs of all the children and constantly reviews these with parents.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The children are protected by solid procedures, which are implemented effectively by the childminder. They benefit from an extremely well-organised, safe, secure and stimulating environment. The childminder provides resources and activities that keep children fully occupied and stimulated throughout their day. Utmost priority is given to developing her childcare knowledge; she has booked to attend various training courses in the near future, such as child protection and food hygiene, which demonstrates her ongoing commitment to maintaining the high quality of care that she already offers all children in her care. The childminder has recently qualified to level 3 and is now looking to gain a level 4 qualification. Children's health, safety and well-being are promoted effectively because information is continuously shared with parents to keep them well informed about the childminder's service and their child's activities.

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Organisation

Meticulously detailed and well-organised written policies and procedures ensure children's needs are met. The children are confident, happy and relaxed in their environment, and move freely around the childminder's home. 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 the resources that promote awareness of disabilities. Following this recommendation the childminder has obtained resources that promote awareness, for example, books and small world figures. She makes use of the local toy library to enable her to continue to enhance the resources and giving children an understanding of the wider world.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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): • continue to extend the range of planned activities and experiences for children, appropriate for their stage of development.

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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 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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