Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 321862 Inspection date 11 May 2005 Inspector Maralyn Chiverton

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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 July1994. She lives with her husband and three sons aged 21,18, and 16 on the outskirts of Pontefract. There are two children on roll, one who attends full time and one part time. Minded children have access to the lounge, dining room and kitchen and there is an enclosed back garden. The childminder takes and collects children from school and to the local parent toddler group. She also takes children on local walks and other places of interest.

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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 She is a member of the National Childminding Association and belongs to a local network group. . .

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about personal hygiene and being healthy through regular routines. They show good awareness of the need to wash hands before meals and after using the toilet through good explanations from the childminder. For example, when we touch animals we always need to wash our hands well to prevent us catching any germs from them. Children learn to understand about healthy eating. They are offered fresh fruit and vegetables daily as well as nutritional additional snacks such as raisins, cheese and celery. Children are encouraged to drinks lots of water, they learn about the importance of drinking after and during physical exercise through a simple explanation given by the childminder. Their needs are met through the childminder's clear understanding of individual dietary needs and shared information from parents. Children benefit from good access to a range of activities which promote and support

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Helping children to be healthy

their physical skills. Younger children are encouraged to be independent, to take steps using a push-a-long toy and to feed themselves. The childminder is very supportive and children are praised constantly. Children enjoy using their physical skills through well stocked resources such as crawling tunnels, rockers, small trikes, balls and daily walks' sometimes to the park to access the play area. Children benefit from being able to follow their own routines for sleeping and resting through working closely with parents to ensure their needs are met. They indicate to the childminder when they want to sleep. This allows children to feel secure and confident in their environment. The childminder's very good understanding of nutrition helps to ensure children stay healthy. The childminder has a clear policy regarding illness which safeguards other children from becoming ill.

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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 warm, very safe and caring environment. They have the space to move around independently and to choose which activity or toy they wish to play with. Younger children are allowed to explore their environment under the watchful eyes of the childminder who ensures there is a safe balance between

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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 freedom to explore and safe limits. Children have good access to toys and equipment which meet safety standards and are well maintained. The childminder ensures they are age and developmentally appropriate. Children's safety is given high priority by the childminder who regularly does risk assessments of her toys, equipment, activities and outings. She pays particular attention to fire safety and has in place smoke alarms, a fire blanket and a carbon monoxide detector. She practices fire evacuation procedures with children on a regular basis to promote their understanding of the importance of staying safe. All appropriate documentation such as medication and accident forms are in place and up to date. Children are encouraged to keep themselves safe by discussion with the childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

about road safety and how to behave when taken on outings. Whenever an outing is planned the childminder always does a risk assessment to ensure she has done everything to make the outing safe. Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminders good understanding of her roles and responsibilities with regard to child protection. She ensures children are never left unsupervised with any persons unvetted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident independent learners. They settle well in their environment and play well alone or with others. They independently choose from a range of well maintained toys and equipment. They are provided with hands on experiences such as painting, pouring of water using a variety of containers and jugs, play dough. The childminder interacts very well encouraging language and thinking skills and promoting children's self esteem and confidence. She also encourages children to enjoy sounds through listening everyday outdoor sounds. For example, to the birds outside, and the wind chimes. All children enjoy their play they show enjoyment and enthusiasm and become involved. The childminder only intervenes when necessary. She is calm, supportive and patient. Younger children are provided with shape sorters to help them to sort and categorise, and plenty of colourful toys, however they are not provided with enough natural

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

materials to help them to be imaginative, creative and make connections. They are encouraged to learn about numbers, colours and language through the use of books and the childminder's introduction of numbers, colours and language in everyday play. For example: "why don’t we build a blue tower with three bricks".

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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 provision is good. Children have very good relationships with the childminder and each other. This is promoted by the childminder valuing and respecting the children in her care as individuals. Their needs are met through a shared understanding between the childminder and parents. This allows children to be happy, settled and confident and to make progress. Children play well together and are beginning to learn right from wrong. For example, sharing and not taking toys from others, respecting other children's wishes. They are supported by the childminder who effectively responds to the sounds and gestures of younger children and replies appropriately to questions from older children. The childminder has a good knowledge of equal opportunities. Children are developing good awareness of themselves and the wider world. They have access to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

a good variety of resources such as books which promote positive images of disability: "My brother has Downs Syndrome". Books which have dual language, and books which promote different families of the world as well as multi-cultural toys. These resources support and develop children's awareness of diversity and understanding of others. Children are developing very good independence skills. They are encouraged by the childminder to manage their own personal skills and to be kind and considerate to others. They are supported by lots of praise from the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are provided with a good, well organised, warm and welcoming environment. They feel at home and are confident to try new activities with the encouragement and support from the childminder. Adult child ratios are very good, they positively support children's care, welfare and learning. The childminder has high regard for the well-being of the children in her care and works closely with parents to ensure this. Effective policies and procedures in place which ensure children's welfare, care and learning are well promoted. They are regularly reviewed and kept up to date to keep parents well informed of the provision provided. How each child has spent the day, their progress and achievements as well as their daily routines are shared with parents on a daily basis through verbal discussions. They are also given photographs of their children participating in activities. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection the childminder has completed a first aid course,

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 supplied children with individual hand towels to prevent the spread of infection and to promote children's understanding of personal hygiene. She has further developed her own knowledge and understanding of equal opportunity issues and provided more activities and resources which promote equal opportunities and anti discriminatory practice.

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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): • Provide more natural resources to allow children to use their imaginative , creative skills and to make connections.

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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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