Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY321391 Unique Reference Number 15 February 2007 Inspection date Dawn Lumb 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 registered since 2006 to care for up to six children under eight years of age at any one time and up to twelve children under eight years when working with another childminder. At present there are 12 children on roll who attend full-time, part-time and before and after school. The whole of the ground floor is used for caring for children. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder lives with his wife who is also a childminder and their two children aged nine and 12 years of age in Altofts, Wakefield, West Yorkshire. The family have a pet cat, rabbit and guinea pig.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes and collects children from nursery and school. He takes children to the library, parks and playgroups. He is a member of an accredited 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 good. Children are cared for in a clean and well-maintained home environment. The childminder adopts a good standard of hygiene and promotes good practice to prevent the spread of infection and minimise the risk to children's health. For example, each child has their own towel to minimise the risk of cross contamination. The childminder promotes his practice through completing relevant training, such as first aid, food hygiene and health and safety. Arrangements for first aid and administering medication meet requirements and protect children. Children are protected from infection due to the childminder's clear policy and procedures regarding illness, such as exclusion periods, which are shared with and understood by parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a well-balanced diet. The childminder is very mindful to incorporate vegetables and fruit within meals and snacks. Good regard is given to provide meals which contain low salt and low sugar. He knows their likes and dislikes and ensures that their individual health requirements are well supported. Children are encouraged to drink throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a very good range of indoor and outdoor resources, activities and opportunities, which help develop their physical and manipulative skills. For example, children regularly play in the garden, visit parks, play groups and children's centres. They play in the purpose built wood cabins which promote opportunities to use the ball pool and bouncy castle. These provide them with ample equipment to encourage climbing and balancing. Young childrens body movement is encouraged and children develop spacial awareness. Children enjoy many tactile experiences, which strengthens and develops fine motor skills and control. For example, children manipulate cars in the sawdust and learn to manipulate and control scissors, develop hand to eye coordination as they place trains on the train track. Children are provided with comfy areas for rest and sleep.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well protected from harm through the childminders good understanding of child protection. For example, he has a comprehensive awareness of the procedures to follow because he has completed child protection training, written policies and good child collection and vetting procedures are in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well cared for in a home which is welcoming, comfortable and suitably furnished. Young children have good opportunities to safely make independent choices with regards to selecting play activities. They are protected from harm through the childminder's vigilant approach to ensuring toys and resources are appropriate for their age and developmental level of the child. For example, resources are rotated and carefully selected for the age and stage of the children's development to ensure young children are protected from small pieces and any choking hazards. The childminder gives good regard to the security of the premises and provides a fully enclosed secure outside garden area. Children regularly play in the garden and wooden cabins, although they are not rigorously risk assessed.

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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 Parents are well aware of the fire evacuation practice and procedures, which are regularly carried out every two months to ensure that children are familiar with the fire drill routine and safeguarded. However, these are not comprehensively recorded. The childminder gives good regard to the security of the premises and provides a fully enclosed secure outside garden area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

High regard is given to children learning and gaining knowledge and understanding of how to keep them safe. For example, planned topics, such as travel involve opportunities to promote road safety. Children participate in stimulating activities, such as tape recording busy roads and identifying the various traffic noises. They go for walks in the wider environment and learn how to cross the road safely.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled, happy and secure, as they enthusiastically undertake a wide range of meaningful activities. They are confident and interested in their surroundings. Children have a very good choice of indoor and outdoor activities that are challenging and interesting. For example, two new wooden cabins are deployed to promote a wider choice of messy, creative, holistic and large play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy participating in tactile activities in which the childminder encourages them to develop their senses and try out new skills. For example, two large trays, one containing sawdust, the other brightly coloured aquarium grit and glass pebbles. Children enthusiastically bury items, sprinkle and scatter the sawdust, noticing the feel and visual appearance as it makes mounds and spaces.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn through many planned activities which are extended to encompass many new avenues of interest. For example, themes of travel, talking about and researching transport, and developing a travel agent shop within the role play. Children learn about trips to France and French words to develop a knowledge and understanding of a wider world.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder consistently responds to the children's individual needs and adapts activities to follow their interests. For example, the childminder moves the holistic basket closer to a child to promote easy access and choice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Very young children are happy and content, they enjoy cuddles. The childminder sensitively talks to them. This is acknowledged when the very young children tap their feet, swing their legs and vocalise in response.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder helps children to feel settled and secure, and gives parents confidence in the care that children receive. The childminder's extremely positive approach, very caring and quiet manner helps children settle into the childminder's home environment and to build warm relationships. Individual needs of the children are effectively met, because the childminder works very closely with the parents and co childminder to ensure that all individual information

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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 is used effectively and successfully to support children in his care. For example, the childminder uses children's diaries to ensure that two-way daily information is shared.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder effectively uses the children's own play experiences, topics and theme days to promote their understanding of diversity and respect for others. For example, when they participate in Spanish theme days they learn about the traditional costumes, customs and cuisine.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children respond very well to the childminder they are confident to request assistance. The childminder talks to the children in a warm, caring manner and is effective in encouraging good behaviour. For example, they benefit from the childminder's enjoyment and involvement within their play. He has a sound awareness of how to distract, motivate and stimulate children to promote their interest. For example, he uses sticker systems to promote self-esteem and confidence, so they know when they have tried hard or done well. Children are valued and feel a sense of belonging. For example, they have their own coat pegs and towel hooks.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a welcoming home and from a childminder who is enthusiastic, motivated and positive. Children's welfare, care and learning are actively supported, encouraged and well met. Space is well utilised and organised, and toys and resources are effectively rotated and set out to allow easy access and promote independence. Children's progress, achievements and daily routines are a priority and strong emphasis is placed on the effective sharing of information with parents. Adult to child ratios are good; they positively support children's care, learning and play. The childminder has good regard for the well-being of the children in his care and works very closely with his co-childminder wife and the parents to ensure this. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to training to extend his knowledge and improve the service he provides. However, the 'Birth to three matters' framework is not fully understood.

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Organisation

All the relevant and required documentation is in place. A portfolio which gives additional information and clearly sets out the expectations of the setting is provided.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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. 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 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): • identify any risks and hazards with regard to the wooden cabins and the outside play area • improve practice with regards to the fire evacuation procedure and documentation • develop knowledge and understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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