Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344853 Unique Reference Number 01 May 2007 Inspection date Jane Elizabeth O'Callaghan 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 was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and three years old in Ilkley. The whole of the ground floor, downstairs bathroom and front bedroom on the first floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and currently has one child on roll. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. The childminder attends local parent groups, visit the local library and places of interest within the community.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children stay healthy through the childminder providing nutritious snacks and meals. For example, children have raisins, fruit, fresh vegetables and meat, all of which is home cooked daily. Children have access to drinks throughout the day, older children have their own water

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 bottles on hand throughout the day, and fresh juice at meal times. The childminder ensures that all dietary needs and requirements are met through the completing of detailed registration forms.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has written policies and procedures in health and hygiene, which she shows to parents. She encourages all children to wash their hands with soap and dry them with disposable paper towels. The children explained that they always wash their hands before eating, after touching animals and going to the toilet and knew that this was done in order to prevent them being poorly.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a sickness procedure if children become ill whilst in her care, the children would be made comfortable and their parents contacted. This procedure along with the exclusion policy she has is shown and discussed with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a medication and accident policy, which are read by parents. She also has books to record the giving of medication and any accidents. All are completed correctly, signed and read by all parents, ensuring children are in a healthy and safe environment. The childminder has attended a first aid course in 2006. She has two first aid boxes, one kept in the kitchen and one she takes with her on outings, both are checked regularly.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a checklist for cleaning and checking toys, this is done daily and any findings recorded and dealt with appropriately. This provides children with clean and safe toys and equipment whilst in the care of the childminder. The children can rest or sleep in a travel cot and on a settee depending on children's age and needs. The childminder ensures that clean sheets are provided for each individual child.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive daily physical play through going out for walks within the local community and in the outdoor area within the childminder's premises. The children can play outside with a good range of toys and activities that develop their physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has all the information on 'Birth to three matters' framework and she is in the process of completing the training for this. However, she feels that the experience of bringing up her own children and working closely with parents will help her. She explained that younger children would get pureed food and she would always meet the parents wishes. The childminder has a procedure she follows when changing children's nappies which involves using a special hand gel before and afterwards, wiping down the mat before and afterwards and disposing of the nappy appropriately. This ensures that children's needs and parents' wishes are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is warm and welcoming with lots of the children's work displayed, giving the home a child friendly environment. The areas used are spacious and well planned. The children have access to a lounge, hallway, large dining kitchen and a good outdoor area where they can run around safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

In the lounge and hallway children of all ages can access a wide range of appropriate toys. The childminder has a good range of equipment for younger children. For example, a double buggy, listening monitor, travel cot, car seats and feeding chairs. All these are checked for safety regularly and this is recorded, and provides the younger children with suitable equipment, whilst at the childminders.

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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 The childminder is safety conscious in most areas, as she locks the doors and has the keys to hand, asks visitors to show identity prior to entering, has all relevant documentation and practises fire drills. However, more detailed recording of fire drills are required. The childminder has a written outings policy, which is shown and signed by parents prior to taking children on visits in the car, walking or using public transport. The childminder also has policies for uncollected children and lost children, which parents are asked to read and sign before the childminder starts caring for their children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has knowledge and understanding of child protection, this was gained through the introductory course she has attended and she is keen to attend more training in this area. She has written policies and procedures to show parents, and is aware of the importance of working with parents, other agencies. The childminder ensures the children's care and welfare is paramount whilst in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a vast selection of equipment, activities and toys for all ages and stages of a child's development. She encourages the children to access any toys they wish to play with which are stored in the lounge and hallway. For example, children are seen to play with cars, a garage and a world globe, and they talk about, and know, where Britain is. The childminder has individual profiles of the children, which has photographs in of them doing lots of creative activities and on outings. For example, baking pizzas for tea, making elephants and using magnifying glasses to look at insects in the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a very good relationship with children and constantly joins in playing with the children and encouraging them to use their imagination. For example, she helps the children to dress up as builders, crayon outside and also encourages them to water the plants they are growing. The children are also encouraged to take turns with activities and to share. This develops the children's social and creative skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are given daily access to outdoor activities, both by going on walks within the community and visiting local amenities, such as farms to feed the lambs. The children have a good selection of toys and activities to play with outside in the childminders garden, for example, a slide, swing, climbing frame, bicycles and a sand pit. The childminder visits the local library and is also joining the local childminding group with the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder promotes the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She has all the relevant information, which she has read and is attending training. She has a good selection of toys and activities for this age, for example, a treasure basket full of plastic spoons, egg boxes, books suitable for babies, large piece jigsaws and sorting boxes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good selection of resources that reflect equal opportunities. For example, there are books, jigsaws, wooden toys and small world toys that depicts all areas. The childminder has celebrated Chinese New Year and Easter, and intends to celebrate many more with another childminder. The childminder treats all children equally and verbally explains this to parents. However, there is no written policy available for parents.

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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 childminder has had some experience of working with children with learning disabilities or difficulties. However, she explained that she would care for children if she could meet the child's and parents needs. The childminder is aware of the importance of working closely with parents and other outside agencies. For example, speech therapists, physiotherapists and health visitors.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a written policy and procedure on behaviour management, which she shows to parents and asks them to read and sign. She uses distraction and explains to children why the behaviour is unacceptable. The childminder gives positive praise, for example, she says to children 'well done for sharing' 'thank you' and 'please'. She has written house rules for older children to enable them to share, respect each other and be polite. This encourages children to respect each other and with the childminder as a good role model children are well behaved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good relationships with all parents. For example, she gives daily feedback along with diaries to parents explaining what their child has done during the day, and what they have had to eat. The childminder also does profiles on children with photographs of them doing different activities and on visits and also explaining how the children are progressing in the Foundation stage. She shows all the parents the policies and asks them to read and sign them and explains to them all about the complaint procedure, showing them the relevant contact numbers. The childminder has written agreements and contracts for each child with all the required information, for example, parents contact numbers, addresses, permission for outings, medication, allergies and the taking of photographs. The childminder ensures confidentiality is maintained and encourages parents if they have any concerns to talk to her.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

She will do this at a separate time, on their own when it is convenient to both, ensuring it is dealt with in a confidential and professional manner.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has attended an introduction to childminding course, a first aid course, treasure baskets and is at present doing the 'Birth to three matters' training course. The childminder, through further training will provide a professional and caring service to the children whom she cares for. For example, she is interested in providing funded places for children and is in the process of looking into this.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps all documentation and all is completed accurately, kept in a confidential manner and easily accessible for parents and inspections.

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Organisation

She displays both her registration certificate, insurance and first aid certificate for parents to see. She is fully aware of the requirement to inform Ofsted of any changes to her circumstances.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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.

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Complaints 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 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): • develop detailed recording of fire drills • develop a policy relating to equal opportunities.

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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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