Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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322003 Unique Reference Number 23 August 2007 Inspection date Maralyn Chiverton 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 satisfactory. 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 February 1991. She lives with her family in Ackworth, on the outskirts of Pontefract, within walking distance of local amenities. The whole of the ground floor is used for minding and there is an enclosed area for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for no more than six children under eight years at any one time. At present there are six children on roll; the majority of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes and collects children from school as well as to the local park. She is a member of an approved childminding network.

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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 satisfactory. Children are provided with an environment that is clean and suitably maintained. They are kept healthy through the childminder's good understanding of the need for effective health and hygiene practices. For example, children are provided with individual face cloths and towels. Children's understanding of personal hygiene is reinforced through daily routines, constant reminders and simple explanation. For instance, the childminder explains to the children that hands need to be washed after handling the rabbit to prevent them from catching any germs which could make them ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with regular drinks and nutritious snacks which include fresh fruit. Their understanding of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle is promoted through simple explanation, such as eating salads keep us healthy. Children are kept free from infection through the understanding of parents not to bring children who are unwell or have a common childhood disease, such as chicken pox or measles until completely clear. Children's enjoyment of physical exercise is satisfactory promoted through regular outdoor play and walks. Daily routines and comfortable seating allow children to have periods of rest and relaxation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well cared for in a safe and secure indoor and outdoor environment. For example, doors are always kept locked when minding and children are supervised when playing outdoors. The childminder ensures that space and resources are suitably organised to allow children to move freely and independently. Toys and resources are safe, suitable and appropriate to children's needs. The childminder ensures toys in need of replacement have passed BS EN standards which keep children safe from harm. However, fire evacuation procedures are not practised which does not allow for the identification of any potential hazards which may arise during the evacuation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe by the childminder promoting their understanding of personal safety well. For example, children keep themselves safe through following simple rules of the home, such as not running or climbing as either of these actions can cause someone to get hurt. When taken on walks the childminder promotes children's understanding of road safety through following the Green Cross Code when crossing the road. Children are kept free from harm through the relevant understanding of the childminder with regard to child protection concerns and procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy their time spent with the childminder and are happy and well settled. They have access to a variety of relevant toys and resources, which include building bricks, small world figures, a selection of relevant books and a suitable range of creative materials. Children show enjoyment and interest in what they do. They particularly enjoy developing their imaginative skills through role play. For example, they dress up and become spacemen and hairdressers. Children's understanding of colour, shape and number is well promoted through appropriate

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 questioning and reiteration. For example, when participating in creative activities children are encouraged to recognise different colours and shapes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have a good understanding of right and wrong, which is well promoted through reinforcement and simple discussion. They enjoy very warm, caring relationships with the childminder who extends their learning through appropriate questioning and positive interaction. This promotes children's self-confidence and self-esteem well. Children benefit from lots of encouragement and support as well as the childminder's enjoyment in what she does. Parents are encouraged to share information and receive verbal feedback on how their child has spent their day. This ensures children's welfare is well promoted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are respected as individuals and included fully in the setting. They benefit from the positive attitude and good understanding of the childminder with regard to promoting diversity and equal opportunities. For example, children are encouraged to play with all toys and participate in all activities. Children's understanding and awareness of their needs and those of others is well promoted through simple discussion and constant reiteration. For example, children are reminded it is better to be nice to one another than to be unkind.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are well catered for through the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of the surrounding issues, such as working closely with parents to ensure children's needs are effectively met. Children are well behaved. The positive strategies implemented by the childminder promote children's understanding of what is and is not acceptable behaviour well. For example, children receive lots of praise and good behaviour is always rewarded. Parent’s views and wishes are respected and carried out through the sharing of information with regard to the individual needs of children. However, there is no effective system in place for informing parents about the policies and procedures required for the effective running of the provision.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are well settled and benefit from a generally well managed setting, a warm, caring environment and regular routines. They enjoy their time in the setting and are able to self-select from a balanced range of resources with safety and independence. The childminder provides a satisfactory range of experiences and activities which are appropriate to the level of children's understanding. Children benefit from consistent interaction, support and encouragement which helps them to feel secure and confident. All mandatory documentation is in place which ensures the smooth and efficient running of the provision.

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Organisation

Children's individual needs are met through the close working partnership between the childminder and parents. All records of individual children are shared regularly with parents. However, parents do not receive overall information about the running of the provision. Children are kept generally kept safe through effective policies and procedures such as daily registration. However, failure to practise fire evacuation procedures does not ensure children are kept safe at all times.

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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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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the following recommendations were made to improve children's safety and welfare. These were to obtain written acknowledgement after the administration of medication and to develop the information given to parents about the service provided.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has taken positive steps to improve children’s safety, through ensuring written acknowledgement is now obtained from parents with regard to the administration of medication. However, further action needs to be taken with regard to developing an effective system for informing parents about the service provided.

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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.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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 satisfactory. 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 the fire evacuation procedure is practised to identify and minimise potential hazards to children • develop an effective system for sharing information, policies and procedures with parents.

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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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