Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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512144 Unique Reference Number 04 July 2007 Inspection date Shazaad Arshad Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 seven-year-old child. The family live in Linthwaite, approximately four miles from Huddersfield. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and the first floor bathroom. There is an enclosed play area to the rear of the home. Public transport links are easily accessible and the local schools, pre-school facilities and shops are within walking distance of the property. The childminder takes and collects children from school as required and she makes use of local facilities, such as the park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. Currently there are seven children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has been awarded the level 11 award for quality assurance.

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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. The childminder has very good arrangements in place to promote children being healthy in the setting. Good working practice effectively promotes the children's good health, for example, the childminder places high importance on the value of fresh air and exercise. The children are provided with many opportunities to visit local play areas and access the rear garden where they access an extensive range of physical play equipment. Consequently, they develop a positive attitude towards exercise, which aids their strength, balance and coordination skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

The premises are very clean and the toys and equipment are frequently washed in order to maintain good standards of cleanliness. Additionally, the childminder ensures that effective procedures are in place to maintain good personal hygiene. For instance, the children brush their teeth after eating and have the use of individual face cloths and hand towels to reduce the likelihood of cross infection. The arrangements for first aid are good, this leads to children being suitably cared for in the event of an accident or emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children benefit from a nutritious diet and they learn about foods which are healthy. The childminder agrees the daily menus with parents and she takes precautions to ensure that children are not exposed to foods they dislike, or which may cause an allergic reaction. At meal times the children's self-help skills are actively encouraged; they serve themselves and are confident to make choices. The childminder implements a healthy eating plan that ensures children have a balanced diet, for example, they enjoy their daily portions of fruit and vegetables.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is very warm and welcoming. Free space is well organised and children's art work is prominently displayed to create a bright and interesting learning environment. The children have safe access to all areas of the home that are used for childminding. The play area is very child friendly and there is a wide range of resources, which are hygienic and safe. The equipment is stored within easy reach of the children and it is provided specifically to ensure that children have plenty of stimulation and challenge.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's consistent level of careful supervision contributes to keeping children safe and reduces the risk of any accidental injury. She completes comprehensive risk assessments and takes positive steps to ensure that the indoor and outdoor play areas remain secure and free from hazards. As a result, the children remain safe and risks to their well-being are reduced. Additionally, the childminder effectively raises children’s awareness of the fire evacuation plan and on outings children are helped to learn about road safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of some of the signs and indicators of child abuse and neglect. She has attended child protection training and has a written policy, which is shared with parents. She has the up to date information on the local procedures for raising child protection concerns.

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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. The childminder has a very good understanding of children's development. As a result, the children's learning is promoted effectively and play opportunities are maximised. For instance, the children are able to access many well planned activities, which encourage them to develop their ideas and play in a supportive and non-pressured environment. The childminder understands that children are all individuals and they learn at different rates; she is supportive and sensitive to the children's needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are very settled, confident and happy with the childminder because she has established warm and caring relationships with them. They demonstrate enjoyment during their play and a good ability to concentrate. They use a variety of equipment, for example, arts and crafts materials, puzzles and role play equipment, all of which help children to develop skills, such as naming colours and counting. The childminder talks to the children and listens attentively to what they have to say. Children construct the train sets and are able to recognise the number of wheels and the colours of the trains.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Overall, the children enjoy exploring a wide range of activities, which effectively contribute to their social, emotional, physical and intellectual development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children's behaviour is managed well. The childminder is considerate to the children's feelings and very competent at encouraging them to share and take turns. She talks to the children in language that they can understand and she skilfully uses a good range of behaviour management techniques, such as maintaining consistent boundaries and offering clear explanations of the simple house rules.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children's awareness of equal opportunities and diversity is fostered effectively through the celebration of festivals and the use of a good and varied range of play resources. In addition, the children benefit from accessing a wide variety of non-gender stereotyped play materials. The childminder treats all children with equal concern. She is keen to ensure that the children develop good self-esteem, therefore, the children receive lots of positive reinforcements. Additionally, photographs of the children are taken and displayed in order to increase their sense of worth and construct a positive self-image.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very positive approach to working with parents. She makes time to talk and provides clearly written information about children’s daily activities. Parents' wishes for their children are actively addressed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder makes good use of space, both inside and outside the home, creating a welcoming, child friendly environment. Children are settled and familiar with their routines. Their needs are met efficiently as the childminder organises her time, space and resources well. Children are competently supervised at all times and older children given time to do their homework. Outings are planned effectively into the daily routine and enjoyed by all. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to gaining further qualifications. She has attended

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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 numerous courses in order to enhance her knowledge and is fully committed towards developing her practise. This broadens the range of the children's experiences and increases the childminder's knowledge, contributing to the quality of care.

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Organisation

The welfare, care and learning of the children is supported well as policies and procedures, including one for complaints, continue to be more effective as they are reviewed and extended. The childminder is very organised and all records and registers required for the efficient and safe management of the provision are in place. However, the accident recording system has minor weaknesses. Parents are aware of their child's development through the good use of diaries and they have access to their own child's records. All records are maintained confidentially.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has implemented the previous recommendations. She ensures that all records are stored confidentially in a locked file and out of reach. Safety of children has been improved as the childminder carries out regular monthly fire drills with the children. The children are aware of how to react and how to evacuate the setting in the event of a fire. In addition, the childminder has purchased equipment which depicts positively images of other cultures and children with different abilities. This has ensured the quality of the care has improved and the welfare and safety of the children is given the highest priority.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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): • ensure accident recording systems are improved.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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