Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY254865 Unique Reference Number 18 January 2007 Inspection date Angela Margaret Ellis 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 a childminder since 2003. She lives with her husband and two young children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

They live in a second floor apartment in a converted mill complex, in Rishworth village. The apartment is within walking distance of both Heathfield J & I School and Rishworth St John’s Primary school. The whole of the ground floor of the apartment is used for childminding, with the exception of a bedroom.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and Calderdale Childminder Network.

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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 generally well promoted as the childminder applies appropriate standards of hygiene to prevent the spread of infection. Children learn aspects of cleanliness through simple daily hygiene routines. The childminder implements effective procedures and acts in children’s best interests if they are ill and written aspects of the medical consents from parents are in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children actively engage in a varied range of physical activities that contribute to their health and emotional well-being. This includes physical activities indoors and outdoors, and regular outings in the fresh air to help them to develop skills and confidence.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to learn the benefits of eating for their healthy growth and development well. They drink regularly and enjoy a good varied balance of nutritious meals and snacks; this includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. For example, the childminder and children visit the local farm shop and purchase some organic produce. Children follow their individual eating routines and are encouraged to eat at their own pace and enjoy their food. Mealtimes are a relaxed and social occasion in which good manners form part of the experience.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has an appropriate awareness of children’s safety. The environment is regularly risk assessed so that children remain safe and feel confident to explore, depending on the age and stage of development of the children present on the day. Steps are taken within the home to minimise the risks to children. For example, safety gates are used to prevent young children from using the stairs. The apartment is secure so that children cannot leave nor visitors enter unnoticed. The childminder has thought about how to leave the apartment in an emergency and smoke detectors are tested regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder helps children learn to keep themselves safe. For example, they learn that it is safer to walk in the home and not run. Toys and equipment are of suitable quality, appropriately organised and meet safety standards. The childminder is careful to ensure that children only play with toys that are suitable for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an appropriate understanding of child protection issues. She knows how to act in the children’s best interests, in case she had concerns for their welfare, and shares this information with parents. The records to monitor existing injuries, medication and accidents are appropriately available.

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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 satisfactory. Children are settled in the child-orientated environment. Children are motivated and interested in exploring a varied range of developmentally appropriate activities. Children show pleasure, confidence and independence in making choices within their environment and enjoy playing with the toy farm animals and looking at books with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder and children clearly have a comfortable relationship. They are given praise for their achievements, thus raising children's self-esteem. This warm relationship between them contributes to their sense of belonging.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children benefit from individual routines that are consistent with experiences at home, resulting in them being secure and confident in their surroundings. The children receive appropriate levels of attention and interaction, which increases their sense of well-being. Children regularly socialise and extend their experiences through outings. Parents are satisfactorily informed of their children’s progress through the collection of artwork and photographs as well as the daily diaries, which facilitate with links at home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed and valued as individuals. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children’s family circumstances, interests and abilities are taken into account. Children become aware of the local community and learn to develop a positive attitude towards others. For example, they attend plenty of local groups, local childminder support group, toy library and local park; this helps the children learn about their local community appropriately through the daily routine.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is successful in promoting an inclusive provision for all. For example, she cares for a child for whom English is a second language and has picked up a few words and phrases to help in the child’s transition from home to childminder. There is satisfactory information and activities regarding cultural festivals. Children are offered foods, such as spaghetti Bolognese and curries which help to acknowledge cultural diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have a well-established routine; younger children’s individual needs are met appropriately. Suitable developmentally appropriate learning experiences are provided through toys, books, posters, and talking about differences and similarities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive approach to managing behaviour. She gives praise within clear, consistent boundaries. Children benefit from the consistent approach between the childminder and their parents. This continuity, and reasonable expectations, encourages children to discover boundary limits and learn about how to show care and respect for each other, sharing and taking turns. For example, older children take turns to wash and dry the breakfast dishes before going to school.

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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 Children clearly benefit from the positive partnership that the childminder has with parents, which includes friendly discussions about their child’s needs and progress. Their views have been sought via a questionnaire regarding the service provided. The feedback enables the childminder to reflect her practice and make any improvements suggested to raise the quality of service. This successful partnership promotes children’s well-being and development, enhancing and enriching their experience and, as a result, children settle well in response. However, it has been identified that the systems in place to record a complaint from a parent are not fully in place in line with the requirements.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is highly motivated to develop and improve her service through her commitment to training relevant to her job of childminding. She has a comprehensive training plan and has completed many training courses, such as Developing Childminding Practice and child protection. The knowledge gained on the courses enables her to reflect on her practice and to make improvements to the quality of it. However, during the inspection it came to light that the childminder is not working to her registration numbers, which is caring for four children under eight with no more than two under five years. The childminder has taken on another child under five years old without having the conditions of her certificate varied since her youngest son began full-time school. This is a breach of her conditions of registration.

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Organisation

Space and the wide range of resources are creatively organised to enable children to participate in activities and follow their individual routines to promote their welfare, care and development. In response, children are secure and confident in their surroundings.

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Organisation

Most of required documentation is in place and up to date to promote the care and welfare of children. There is a comprehensive set of policies and procedures, which are shared with parents and updated regularly.

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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

Satisfactory progress has been made since the last inspection. The provider was asked to improve aspects of safety and documentation. Safety improvements have been attended to, resulting in safety precautions within the home being more effective. The required documentation is in place and appropriate consents from parents have been obtained to enable the childminder to act in the best interest of the children when transporting children on outings.

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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 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): • ensure that the information regarding complaints is updated in line with the regulations and that the system devised is available for inspection • ensure that conditions of registration are complied with at all times.

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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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