Childminder in East Riding of Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 314368 Inspection date 28 June 2005 Inspector Rosemary Beyer

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1991, and works part time with her son who was registered in 1997. When working together they may care for ten children under eight years and when working alone she may care for six children under eight years of age. She lives with her husband and daughter, in a large detached farmhouse in the open countryside near Holme upon Spalding Moor. Children have access to the ground floor of the house, apart from the office and the family sitting room, and rooms upstairs for sleeping. They use the play room, sitting room and kitchen. The secure yard and grassed area are also available.

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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 Twenty two children are currently cared for on a part time basis, including seven children under five years of age. They are able to attend the local schools, playgroups and nurseries. Some of the children stay overnight. Children with special needs are cared for, the childminder working with parents/carers and outside agencies to ensure the children's needs can be met and their development promoted. The child minder is a member of the local childminding group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has effective hygiene practice in place to prevent the spread of infection, with written hand washing procedures. Towels, bibs and flannels are washed after use. The children know they need to wash their hands before food and after personal care. Nappy changing procedures are clear and well managed. The written sick child policy is available to parents to ensure they are aware children do not attend when they are ill. The necessary permissions and recording are in place for medication and accidents. Written permission is obtained from parents prior to attendance for medical appointments. The childminder has an appropriate current first aid certificate and the first aid box is well stocked. Children know they need to eat a healthy diet, with home prepared food and fresh fruit available. They learn about appropriate foods through the healthy eating topic. Meal times are a social occasion for the children, sometimes including baking they

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Helping children to be healthy

have made. Their likes and dislikes, and parents' wishes are taken into consideration when meals are planned. The older children help themselves to drinks, and the childminder ensures younger ones do not become dehydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children move through the ground floor of the house freely, safely and independently. The childminder has attended an accident prevention course to update her knowledge of health and safety issues, and has a range of equipment in place to keep children safe. She checks resources and toys regularly. Children access toys easily and safely. They use toys with care and ensure younger children do not have access to small pieces. Appropriate safety features are in place to ensure the premises are secure to prevent children leaving the premises unsupervised. A lost child or not collected child policy is available to parents. Children know the emergency evacuation procedure and where the collection point is located. They ask for hats and sun screen when playing outside.

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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 The childminder has a sound knowledge of the local Area Child Protection Committee guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which effectively promote their learning. They are developing good social skills with the childminder and her family, the minded children and also through visits to the local playgroups or nurseries. They relate well together, take turns and co-operate when playing. Children access resources independently and safely, with an extensive selection available to meet the needs of all the children who attend. Themed activities are used to address particular needs such as the colour board with items selected to help reinforce knowledge. The children are becoming creative using a wide range of craft materials to produce puppets, models and pictures. Some of the work completed by the older children is very sophisticated, such as the farm scene, with stand up figures. They also enjoy baking, singing and role play, using the home corner as a café, complete with

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

notepads to take meal orders. They like stories, choose for themselves and participate in the telling either with other children or when sitting with the childminder. Children's knowledge of the countryside is developing well, with walks to watch the birds and animals a popular feature of the day. They enjoy visiting the horses, ducks and chickens. The childminder has started to use Birth to three matters to support the care she provides to younger children and is to attend further training to increase her familiarity with the framework, however she does not have information about the Foundation Stage to support their on-going development. Younger children can participate with support or activities are amended to meet their needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The children are very happy, settled and extremely comfortable in the home, leaving parents confidently. They are developing very positive inclusive attitudes to all. They value and support each other, take turns and co-operate well. Their manners and behaviour are excellent, the childminder and older children teaching younger ones by example. Parents are consulted should it be necessary. They are all aware of the clear house rules. All the children are included, whatever their ability or development stage, with most older children able to communicate effectively using Makaton. Outside agencies are consulted to ensure the children with special needs are supported appropriately to help them progress. Children are developing a very good awareness of other cultures through the resources available and the celebration of festivals, customs and cultures. They particularly enjoy trying different foods and festival related craft activities.

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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 The policy file is available for parents. Contracts, permission forms and information sheets are completed to ensure their wishes are known, respected and the children receive continuity of care. The wide range of activities undertaken is recorded in a large selection of photographs. All the parents responded to the questionnaires sent out by the childminder, with very positive comments about the setting. They value the care received by their children, to help them become 'polite, caring and well behaved' and like the close liaison and communication with her. The children regard it as their second home, with some still calling for tea although they are at secondary school.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder ensures she keeps to her conditions of registration. She is appropriately qualified and undertakes on-going training to up-date her knowledge and further improve her practice. All the necessary paperwork is in place to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting, with contracts and information sheets completed and kept up to date. Children feel at home and settled in the well organised environment, feeling confident to initiate and extend their play and learning. Children's care is provided in line with parents' wishes which ensures continuity, and they receive daily feedback to give them information about their child's day. Records are stored securely and confidentiality respected. Children's welfare is effectively promoted by the use of the comprehensive childminding policies and procedures. The provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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 MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • obtain information about the Foundation Stage to provide a framework for children's learning after Birth to three matters.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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