Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY254455 Inspection date 23 May 2005 Inspector Maggie Buckley

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2002. She lives with her partner and their two children aged 1 year and 4 years of age in Brockholes, Huddersfield. The ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under 5 years. Both children attend on a part time basis. The childminder walks to the local playgroup to take and collect children.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well-maintained environment. The childminder adopts high standards of hygiene and promotes good practice to prevent the spread of infection and keep children healthy. For example, children have individual bedding, towels, shoes are not worn within the childminding areas, and the childminder has effective routines for nappy changing. Arrangements for first aid and administering medication successfully meet requirements and protect children. Children's individual dietary needs are met as the childminder works effectively and flexibly with parents addressing their wishes. The childminder has a thorough understanding of providing special diets and extensive, past experience of tube feeding. Children enjoy their mealtimes when the childminder maximises opportunities for social development and positive interaction. Children eat at their own pace and their comfort given high priority.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children gain control of their body as they are well supported by the childminder and encouraged to safely explore the environment and the resources within it. Children try out and develop new skills such as grasping an object just out of reach and learning that pressing different buttons on a toy brings different responses. Children rest and sleep according to their individual routines and needs. They enjoy daily outings and opportunities to explore the outdoors through the use of the garden and visits to the park.

p.3

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 promote their safety. Appropriate safety equipment is in place and safety procedures established such as regularly checking on sleeping babies and adopting a written emergency procedure which is shared with parents. The outdoor area although fenced is not fully secure and may compromise the safety of older mobile children. Young children have space to move easily and safely within the indoor areas and have access to a good range of safe and well-maintained resources. These are organised prior to children arriving and are appropriate to the children's ages and development. Resources are organised in storage boxes at child height to encourage children's independent selection. The childminder is not fully conversant with child protection procedures which could affect the safety of children.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 provision is good. Children are provided with an interesting range of activities both indoors and outdoors. The babies in the childminder's care are happy and very well settled. The very good partnerships with parents and the effective sharing of information both verbal and written enhance children's care. Children benefit from individual routines that are consistent with experiences at home, which help them settle and develop in confidence. They are able to develop good positive relationships with the childminder, due to the high level of support they receive. A broad range of resources is readily accessible for children to support their development and learning. Babies are encouraged to interact verbally as the childminder responds positively to their early "conversations". For example, whilst

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

feeding the baby the childminder chatted naturally and gave lots of praise and attention when the child responded.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. .The childminder treats children with equal concern valuing their individuality and meeting their needs effectively. Children play with a wide range of resources which help promote inclusion and support children's understanding of others. Children can take part in activities appropriate to their differing needs and abilities because the childminder is successful in promoting an inclusive provision for all. Children begin to understand the expectations for their behaviour. Strategies for managing children's behaviour are consistent and take into account children's level of understanding. Children receive lots of praise and individual support and they respond well. Very good relationships with parents enhance the children's care. Each child has their own detailed daily diary in which their day is recorded and shared effectively with parents. The childminder also maintains an up to date parent's file that includes

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

written policies and procedures. This contributes to parents involvement in the life of the setting and promotes good outcomes for children

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease within the well-organised setting. Space and resources are effectively organised to meet the differing needs and routines of the children who attend. The childminder purposefully limits the numbers of children she cares for in order to offer each child a high level of support. In response, children are secure and confident in the setting. All the required documentation is in place and is very well organised in a locking document case. The childminder has extended the required documentation with a number of written policies and procedures most of which are clear and

p.4

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 comprehensive. Overall children are well cared for and their individual needs are met

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection the childminder has extended resources that promote inclusion which has supported children's understanding of others. She has put in place emergency consents for each child improving their safety and wellbeing in the setting.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 knowledge and understanding of child protection issues • improve security to outdoor area • extend written policies and procedures to include all elements

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5