Childminder in North Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY239088 Inspection date 23 May 2005 Inspector Rachel Ayo

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and five years. The family live in a semi-detached property in a quiet residential area of Eldwick in Bradford. On the ground floor the lounge/through dining area and conservatory are used for childcare purposes. Toileting facilities are on the first floor along with a bedroom which is used for sleeping children. Children have use of a driveway and garden for access to outdoor play. The family have a rabbit and a cat.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is Quality Assured. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time. The childminder is currently caring for four children under five years on a part time basis and one child over five before and after school and during school holidays.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children experience a very good range of energetic physical activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle and develop their physical skills. For example, the childminder takes children on bike rides and provides an extensive range of equipment, such as, a climbing frame, slide, swing ball and wheeled toys. Children are able to make choices about when they wish to rest or be active. Children benefit from a healthy diet. The childminder has a good awareness of how to promote healthy eating. She provides sample menus for parents which reflect nutritious and well balanced meals. Children's individual dietary requirements are met effectively. The childminder provides a food preference form for parents to indicate their child's likes or dislikes and any specific allergies or dietary needs. Healthy drinks of water and milk are provided to promote children's all round development and good

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Helping children to be healthy

health. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well organised routines and good hygiene practices. For example, children wash their hands after using the toilet, before eating and baking, and separate hand drying arrangements are in place. The childminder additionally uses stories to help children learn about good hygiene. Records of accidents and medicines administered are generally maintained to a good standard. However, written consents are not maintained for the administration of medicine or for the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a warm and very welcoming home. Children's artwork and posters are displayed and resources are set up attractively to create a child centred and stimulating environment. Children independently access an extensive range of well maintained, good quality resources and equipment. Children's safety is generally promoted to a good standard within the home; the childminder implements good safety measures to ensure that children are not exposed to hazards and a written risk assessment, which covers most aspects of safety, is in place. Most aspects of fire safety are in place. There are good measures

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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 in place to ensure that children are unable to leave the childminder's home unsupervised however not all the garden is secure. Safety on outings is promoted well and appropriate consents are in place to support procedures. The childminder helps children to learn about road safety through good practice. For example, children wear cycling helmets when riding their bikes, appropriate crossings are used, and older children walking independently are asked to walk away from the road side.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children present as happy and are very settled in their environment. Children show a high level of independence and confidence as they freely select activities. An extensive range of challenging activities and resources are provided. These are very well planned, offer high levels of challenge and promote all areas of learning and development. Children are engrossed in activities and show excellent levels of concentration. Children's creativity is promoted to a high standard through a stimulating range of activities and resources, such as, arts and craft, musical instruments, dressing up items, and imaginative toys. The childminder provides children with an excellent range of opportunities to learn about their environment and nature. For example, children plant runner beans and observe tadpoles, which are kept in a tank in the childminder's garden, changing into frogs. Excellent relationships are held. The childminder highly motivates children with her

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enthusiastic approach to helping them learn and shows excellent levels of interest in what children say and do. The childminder extends her knowledge and highly promotes children's all round development by referring to and utilising publications aimed at child carers. She implements planning, based around themes, to ensure that children's interest is fully sustained and to ensure that they are supported in moving on to their next stage of development. The childminder fully extends children's intellectual development by asking and answering questions, for example, when playing number, matching or sound games. Excellent systems are place for maintaining records of children's development. Each child has their own file containing photographs of them engaging in a variety of activities along with their artwork. These are all dated to show how a child is progressing. These are implemented as soon as a child commences placement and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are maintained until children leave the provision.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued as individuals. Their individual needs are well met through discussion with parents before placement and through detailed records being maintained. For example, if a child uses more than one language the childminder learns some words used at home to ensure continuity of care and promote equal

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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 opportunities. Children develop a positive attitude to others and learn about the wider world. For example, the childminder provides opportunities for children to celebrate different festivals and children have access to a good range of play resources which show positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. Children develop good levels of self esteem through the childminder's effective use of praise and encouragement. Children learn to take responsibility through the childminder's encouragement to tidy up resources or activities before choosing something else. The childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of the importance of working in partnership with parents. Positive relationships are promoted well to build trust and good communication. Most policies and procedures are shared with parents

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Helping children make a positive contribution

before placement, such as, behaviour management to ensure that consistency is maintained. Effective systems are in place for sharing information, such as, daily diaries and displays of children's artwork. This ensures that parents are well informed about the provision and their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are able to move around freely and independently through the good organisation of space and resources. Resources are easily accessible because they are stored at child height and a separate area has been organised to ensure that an extensive range of resources is freely available to children. The childminder organises her time well and implements good routines to help children feel secure and confident. The childminder has a positive attitude to training. She has attended appropriate childminding courses and has organised additional training, such as, special needs and Birth to three matters. Additionally she has recently completed the Children Come First Quality Assurance Scheme, to enhance her childcare practice. Documentation is well organised and generally maintained to a good standard to support the care, learning and welfare of children. It is sufficiently stored to maintain

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Organisation

confidentiality. The provision meets the needs of all children who attend.

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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 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 written parental consents for the administration of medicines and to the seeking of emergency medical treatment or advice • ensure the safety of children with regards to fire safety and the outdoor area

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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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