Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY320385 Unique Reference Number 01 March 2007 Inspection date Janet Skippins 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 registered in 2006. She lives with her partner and three children aged four months, 10 years and 17 years in Cowlersley, Huddersfield. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed back garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently minding two school-aged children on a part-time basis. She walks and uses a car to take children to and collect them from local schools. The childminder attends local parent–toddler groups. She is 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 good. Children are cared for in a very clean and well-maintained environment. The childminder has high standards of hygiene and maintains good practice to prevent the spread of infection and keep children healthy. For example, children are encouraged to use paper tissues to blow their noses and to cover their mouths when they cough. They learn about the importance of good hygiene through regular hand washing. They do this routinely following messy play activities and after using the toilet, as well as before eating. The children are well protected if they have an accident because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of first aid procedures through attending training.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning the importance of eating healthily. The childminder reinforces this by regularly providing a balanced range of nutritional food. For example, during the inspection the children enjoyed a home-cooked meal of shepherd's pie with fresh vegetables. They are able to choose fresh fruit and yoghurt for dessert and snacks. Drinks of water or well-diluted fruit juice are always readily available.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to a safely enclosed garden for outdoor play. Additionally, walks to school along with games of football and tennis in the park provide opportunities for healthy exercise to encourage children's physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming setting where positive steps have been taken to keep them safe. For example, a safety gate is in place to stop children from climbing the staircase from the first floor to the loft. There is ample play space inside and a there is a grassed area outside at the rear of the home. The children have good opportunities to safely make independent choices about what to play with. They are easily able to select toys which are appropriate to their age and stage of development because the childminder organises resources well at child height. The children are learning to tidy up their toys to encourage them to take responsibility for their own safety and that of others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good precautions are taken to safeguard the children in the event of a fire. For example, there is a fire blanket in the kitchen and the home has several smoke alarms in place. Detailed written records show that smoke alarms are tested regularly. However, the children are not developing an understanding of the dangers of fire because they do not practise evacuations with the childminder. Children learn about road safety when they are out walking with the childminder. They are protected from harm because the childminder has gained a good understanding of safeguarding issues through attending relevant training.

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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. The childminder's home provides clearly defined areas for children to play, including good provision for quiet relaxing activities, such as looking at books. Toys and resources are well organised in boxes so that children can independently select what they would like to play with. Children develop good levels of confidence and self-esteem by cooperating with the routines, which present sufficient challenge. They enjoy a wide range of very interesting activities which include craft activities, such as making bird boxes from recycled materials. During the inspection the minded children were keen to explain this activity in detail, saying they had enjoyed it. The childminder develops children's language skills well as they talk together during activities. Social skills are developing very well as children learn to share and take turns while participating in the activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcome at the setting. They receive support and affection which results in them feeling confident, happy and secure. The childminder treats children with equal concern, reflecting their individuality and meeting their needs. The children take part in activities appropriate to their individual needs and abilities because the childminder is successful in promoting inclusive provision for all.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are polite, very well behaved and starting to understand expectations for their behaviour. For example, during the inspection the children demonstrated their understanding of rules by responding well to the childminder's requests to wash their hands before eating. The childminder gives the children plenty of praise and individual support during their everyday play activities. Parents have given appropriate permissions to the childminder, for example, for emergency medical treatment and to travel in a vehicle. They are able to see very clearly written policies and procedures which explain how the setting is run. They are provided with verbal information about their child's day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has attended many relevant training courses and is a qualified, experienced nursery nurse. She is committed to developing her childminding service by attending further training.

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Organisation

Space and resources in the home are well organised to maximise play opportunities, which makes children feel comfortable and at ease. This means they are confident and able to initiate their own choices. Time is very well managed; for example, the childminder prepares a cooked meal for the minded children while they are attending school during the day. This results in her being able to supervise the children closely, ensuring that they receive a high level of attention.

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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 With the exception of fire evacuation records, all the required documentation to promote children's care, welfare and learning is in place, and extremely well organised. There are many relevant, clearly written policies and procedures which are well implemented to ensure the smooth running of the childminding service. 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.

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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): • practise and record emergency evacuations with the children.

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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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