Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY252786 Inspection date 20 July 2005 Inspector Ann Law

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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 was registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and three children aged 4, 9 and 11 years, in Waterloo, near Huddersfield. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder works with another childminder and is currently co-minding 12 children, part-time, under five years during the day. She takes children to the local park.

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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 learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well-established daily routines, such as consistently washing their hands after using the toilet. The childminder actively promotes good hygiene practices by ensuring that children use pump soap and individual towels for hand washing to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder has not been able to access a first aid course to up date her immediate assistance skills. However, she does ensure that her first aid manual is always to hand as a reference guide for action in an emergency. The childminder provides nourishing meals for the children. Mealtimes are a social family occasion, with all the children sitting together at the table and the use of manners is well-promoted. Detailed records indicate dietary requirements and children's individual needs are well catered for in accordance with parent's wishes. For example, providing a meat substitute in meals so that children who do not eat

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Helping children to be healthy

beef or pork can enjoy the meal equally and the health of all children is safeguarded. A broad range of equipment is available for the children to take part in garden games. This means that they are developing a positive attitude to exercise and developing their gross motor skills. Children rest according to their individual needs. For instance, they can sit quietly in the 'quiet room' and look at books if they wish instead of sleeping. This contributes to their physical well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe environment where the childminder identifies and minimises most risks. Toys and resources are well-maintained because robust systems are implemented to check them on a weekly basis for safety and cleanliness. This means that children are able to move around the home freely and independently. However, not all of the furniture is age-appropriate for the children and the use of adult dining chairs and table for craft activities and meals may compromise younger children's safety. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and avoid accidental injury. Gentle reminders are given not to run on the wooden floor in their socks, or they might slip and hurt themselves. Children are learning the procedures for emergency evacuation. The childminder regularly practices the procedure with them as part of her good attention to fire safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All of the required procedures are in place to ensure the childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare. She has a sound understanding of her responsibility within the Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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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. Children are happy and settled in the welcoming environment. A varied range of activities and resources are available to the children, such as mark making with different pens and crayons, puzzles, construction and singing. However, the mark making is not freely accessible to children. The presentation of these activities is not age-appropriate for younger children and this sometimes limits their independence in accessing opportunities for creative expression. Children become engaged and involved in completing jigsaw puzzles and develop their hand-eye co-ordination and fine motor skills. The childminder instinctively knows when to hold back from too much adult-direction and allows children to achieve and experience self-esteem from the meaningful praise that she gives. Relationships between the childminder and the children are good and they demonstrate confidence and contentment when they sit close together in activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are beginning to distinguish between right and wrong and are encouraged to be kind to each other. For example, the childminder reminds them to share and not to take puzzles away from each other. This helps them to develop respect and consideration for each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel a sense of belonging in the setting. They have access to comfort items from home, such as soft toys and blankets, which are valued. The childminder ensures they are always to hand, and children are aware of where to access them. This means that children are aware that the childminder understands their emotional needs, thus contributing to their well-being. Children have access to a suitable range of toys and resources which promote a positive view of the wider world and children are respected as individuals. Relationships between the children are good and they work co-operatively together. They are aware of agreed codes of behaviour, for example tidying away puzzles and books before getting others out. The childminder works successfully in partnership with parents to offer good care to children and to meet their individual needs. She shares daily diaries with parents,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

giving a detailed and informative account of the child's time with her. This promotes continuity and consistency of care for the children and parents are very appreciative of the care received.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder provides good levels of care and supervision in a well-organised and

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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 relaxed environment to ensure children are well supported. Required adult:child ratios are met and in response, children are secure and confident in their surroundings. All of the required documentation is in place. However, there are some minor inconsistencies and as a result, parents are not requested to fully complete the necessary documentation for health and the confidentiality of some records may not be maintained. The childminder works efficiently with her co-childminder to ensure that she meets the individual needs of all the children in her care, such as time to eat, rest and play. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to make improvements to the systems for checking the safety and cleanliness of toys and equipment and to improve the system for the practice of emergency evacuations so that they include more detail. These are all now in place and contribute to the health and safety of the children in the well-organised setting.

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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): • obtain a place on a first aid course which includes first aid for babies and young children • consider the accessibility of creative activities and meals and improve children's opportunities to independently access them, for example by the use of age-appropriate furniture • review the documentation held for medication to ensure that parent's

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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 acknowledgement is obtained for all medicines administered and that all documentation is maintained in a confidential manner.

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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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