Beaumont, Jayne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 310757 Inspection date 27 June 2005 Inspector Pam Hill

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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 1988. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 15 years. They live in a semi-detached house in Dalton, a suburb of Huddersfield. The house is within walking distance of Rawthorpe J & I School, Rawthorpe High School, Dalton J & I & Nursery School, Moldgreen J & I School and St Joseph's Catholic School. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and children also have access to the first floor bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered for six children and is presently caring for five children

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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 of whom one is aged over 8 years. Children are able to attend on a full or part time basis. The childminder offers a school drop off and pick up service from local schools and lives close to main transport links. The family have a pet dog. The childminder regularly attends the local playgroup, parent and toddler group and local childminding support group meetings. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and has an Early Years Childcare qualification to the level of NVQ 3.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained environment. Their understanding of good hygiene practices is actively promoted through regular reminders from the childminder regarding hand washing before snacks and after using the toilet. The childminder effectively minimises the risk of cross infection through use of individual face cloths and disposable wipes. Arrangements for first aid and administering medication meet requirements and protect children. Children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet and are nourished through a mixture of snacks prepared on the premises and provided by parents. Their personal preferences, allergies and parental requests are taken into account by the childminder. For example, she is fully aware of the children's food allergies, which are effectively monitored and met through close liaison with parents and the provision of

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Helping children to be healthy

suitable snacks. Children have regular access to drinks throughout the day and are regularly introduced to new foods in consultation with parents. The children enjoy regular physical activity both on the premises and within the local community through frequent use of the garden, local parks and play centres. In doing so, they have good opportunities to develop their physical skills. Children rest and sleep according to their changing needs and as requested by parents; for example, the childminder monitors individual sleep patterns, some of which have changed from several short rests to just one afternoon sleep.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in an extremely safe, secure and welcoming environment. The risk of accidental injury is minimised effectively through the excellent use of safety equipment, enabling children to move safely and independently between activities within the designated playroom and when using the garden. Children are fully aware of how to keep themselves safe through regular reminders from the childminder when accessing both indoor and outdoor play. The childminder gives clear messages to the children as to why they should pick up items off the floor, so that they do not fall and hurt themselves. Their understanding of fire safety is actively promoted through monthly evacuation practices.

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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 Children independently select activities from a wide range of safe, good quality and developmentally appropriate resources and toys. The childminder safeguards and promotes the children's welfare effectively through implementation of a range of policies and procedures and documents in place. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate, records accidents in sufficient detail and has a secure understanding of child protection in line with local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, secure and settled within the environment. They play enthusiastically and show sustained interest in a broad range of daily indoor and outdoor activities, that provide sufficient challenge to promote their overall development. They have independent access, through low level storage, to a wide range of well organised toys and resources, that are of good quality, well maintained and rotated regularly to retain the children's interest. The children are supported well in their play through regular guidance from the childminder, for example, when selecting toys and resources for themselves and to share with others. The childminder shares examples of their work with parents through individual diaries. There is however, no record maintained of the children's progress. Children are encouraged to respect the feelings of others; as a result, they form positive relationships with the childminder and each other. They have regular

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

opportunities to socialise with other children through regular visits to parent and toddler group, parks and the local childminding support group meetings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides regular experiences to promote a positive view of the local community through a variety of outings. The children's awareness of the diversity of society is promoted well through a range of books and toys and they have a strong sense of belonging, fostered through displays that include examples of their work, photographs and daily involvement in selecting toys and resources. Children's individual needs are recognised and met effectively through regular discussions between the childminder and parents, and the maintenance of routines promoting continuity of care. For example, children sleep when they are tired, their sleep patterns are monitored and discussed with parents. Children are well behaved and familiar with boundaries through strategies that are consistent and take into account their level of understanding. They are beginning to respect the needs of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

others through working together and as a result, have developed close relationships with each other and the childminder. The childminder works effectively with parents to offer a good level of care and to meet the children's individual needs. A comprehensive range of policies and

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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 procedures provides parents with a clear outline of the service and contributes to the children's care and welfare through the promotion of consistency. Informal daily discussions promote continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Effective and efficient organisation enhances the children's care. Children's decision making skills are actively promoted when selecting toys and resources through low level storage. Space is organised effectively with specific areas of the home used for designated activities. For example, school aged children have access to the dining room for table top activities in addition to the designated play room used mainly by pre-school children, enabling age appropriate activities to be provided for all children attending. Required adult: child ratios are met, enabling a good level of supervision and support to facilitate children's play. The childminder has a strong commitment to attending regular training to further develop her knowledge of childcare issues and enable children to continue to make good progress in their development. All required documentation is in place, completed in detail and contributes to the safety and care

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Organisation

of the children. 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 low level glass safe or inaccessible and obtain written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment and to transport children in her car. The childminder has removed the low level glass and obtained all relevant written parental consents, improving the children's safety and promoting their welfare.

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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): • further develop children's development files to show individual children's progress.

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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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