Childminder in York

Inspection report for early years provision

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321180 Unique Reference Number 13 March 2007 Inspection date Shirley Maynard 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 a registered childminder since 1994. She lives with her two daughters, one of whom is an adult and one aged fourteen years in the Acomb area, on the outskirts of the City of York. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding purposes. This consists of a lounge, playroom/dining room, kitchen and cloakroom. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The family have a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently eight children on roll, all of these are under eight years, and five who are under four years. Children are cared for on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local childminding group. She is also 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 stay generally healthy because the childminder demonstrates satisfactory hygiene practices which limit the spread of infection. For example, by ensuring children wash their hands before and after food and after visiting the bathroom. This is enhanced by the childminder talking to the children about being clean. However, the children use a communal towel in the bathroom and this increases the opportunity for germs and minor infections to spread to other children, for instance, from coughs and colds. Arrangements for the recording of accidents and medication meet with the requirements of the National Standards and protect children appropriately. All details are shared with parents and signed by them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a good range of healthy snacks including fresh fruit and vegetable sticks. They all sit together at snack and meal time and enjoy a social time. Children can monitor their own need for a drink as they ask for a drink and access water, milk or sugar free juice, provided for them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Younger children have their needs met because the childminder establishes clear routines therefore, the children are cared for in a consistent and caring manner.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children greatly benefit from being cared for in a welcoming indoor and outdoor environment which is clean, tidy and well maintained. They have room to move freely and choose from the extensive range of quality and well maintained toys and equipment which meet the age and development of the children attending. The resources are displayed on low level shelves so children can easily select toys and resources which encourages their independence. For instance, construction bricks, role play, books, musical toys and instruments.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder places strong emphasis on safe supervision inside and outdoors. Children learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder discuses it with them. For example, not running inside, being careful and listen to instructions, therefore, taking some responsibility for their own safety. The children's safety is further protected because all required safety features are in place. Regular risk assessments are undertaken and worn or well used equipment is replaced. Children also greatly benefit from a well developed and regularly practised emergency evacuation procedure. The childminder varies the times and dates to ensure all children take part. These are then vigilantly recorded, ensuring children are protected in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of her role in child protection procedures that protects children's well-being. She has detailed policy, which thoroughly explains her role and procedures to parents. However, she needs to be confident in her knowledge and understanding of when she would refer any concerns to the appropriate authorities to safeguard the children in her care.

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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 thoroughly enjoy and achieve because the childminder provides a stimulating variety of play opportunities that cover all ages of development. The childminder sits on the floor with the children as they develop their hand eye coordination, posting shapes into a shape sorter. Children thoroughly enjoy regular stories and benefit from a close relationship with the childminder as they sit and cuddle and engage in conversation all which develops their self-esteem and gives a sense of belonging. Children also learn about colour, shape and numbers as the childminder talks to them and skilfully asks questions during their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's individual needs are met because the childminder has a very good understanding of child development and links this to Birth to three matters framework. Younger children make good progress in their language development, using single words such as 'mummy' on the toy telephone. The childminder is on hand to sensitively encourage them. The children also benefit from regular opportunities to socialise outside the home as they greatly enjoy being taken to play sessions at the nearby family centre and this allows them to experience new environments and mix with other children, making friends.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children cared for after school have suitable range of resources and activities offered to them, which is appropriate to their age and stage of development. For example, books, puzzles and bats, balls and other outdoor equipment for them to use in the fully enclosed rear garden.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder's good understanding of equality and an excellent understanding of learning difficulties and disabilities. She is aware of the action to take to enable appropriate assistance to be sought to meet their individual needs. The children learn about people's differences in a positive manner from a wide selection of quality books. However, other resources are limited and this restricts children's experiences of disability, racial, cultural and religious diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to take responsibility for their behaviour as the childminder sets appropriate and consistent boundaries and guidelines which include; no jumping on the furniture, no running in the house and being kind to each other and to share the toys. She frequently uses praise and offers age appropriate explanations to the children as to why certain behaviour is unacceptable. As a consequence, children behave well as they know what is expected of them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well cared for in an environment where parents are fully included and all polices and procedures are shared with them. The childminder works openly with parents and they are fully informed of their child's time with her as she provides daily diaries which include an excellent quantity of coloured photographs all which contribute to the children being very happy and settled.

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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 good. The children benefit from the childminder's well organised approach to her childminding role. She fully demonstrates her effectiveness in supporting children's individual needs by working with parents and implementing flexible planning which takes into account the ages and development of all children she cares for. The childminder is very pro-active in identifying her own development needs. She regularly updates her knowledge and skills by attended training and activity based workshops which positively impact on outcomes for the children in her care. For instance she has attended training on English as an additional language and equal opportunities awareness. This means all children's play and learning opportunities are maximised.

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Organisation

The childminders home is very well organised as she makes good use of time, space and resources to enable children to make decisions about their play and become independent learners. Children's needs are met because the childminder has all regulatory documents in place which is well maintained, stored safely and available for inspection. Children are not left with any person not vetted and the childminder has arrangement in place in case of emergencies all which ensure children's safety is protected.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets 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 continually develop the resources and for her to attend training to maintain the existing high quality of the provision.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder continues to update her knowledge and skills by attending regular training sessions which positively benefits the care of children. For instance, supporting children dealing with loss.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She has also established a system for replacing old and well used equipment to ensure the safety of the children is rigoursly maintained.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there has 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): • develop resources to positively reflect diversity and disability • further clarify your role in child protection procedure and ensure it complies with those of the Local Safeguarding Children Board • ensure good hygiene practices are implemented to prevent the spread of infection.

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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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