Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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512142 Unique Reference Number 15 August 2007 Inspection date Helene Anne Terry 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and eight years in a detached house in Bradford, West Yorkshire. The whole of the downstairs of the home is used for the children, including lounge, kitchen and toilet. The garden is used for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. At present she has six children on roll between the ages of one and eight years; most of whom attend for various sessions throughout the week.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained home, with regular and effective hygiene routines that encourage their independence in personal care, such as washing hands after use

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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 of the toilet and before meals. To prevent cross infection individual towels are kept in the bathroom and hand wash gel is used on outings to further protect children's health. Good records of accidents and medication are kept by the childminder and children's health needs are promoted effectively, by appropriate methods, as detailed in the sickness policy and first aid procedures. Children's individual needs are safeguarded by successful information sharing with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a wide range of physical activities, which contribute to their good health. The childminder ensures that there are regular opportunities for outdoor activities, such as walks to and from school and visits to well equipped parks and adventure play areas where they can use the climbing apparatus, slide and swings. Children also enjoy bringing their bikes to the childminder's so that they can cycle along the nearby cycle track. The garden is used well for outdoor play where children play ball games and on the trampoline. This helps the children to develop control of their bodies and improve their physical abilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder takes account of parents' wishes and children's preferences when planning the types of food she offers to children. For example, children have access to lots of fruit and vegetables. Children are involved in planning the menus and look forward to the childminder's home made toad-in-the-hole. They freely access fruit through the day from the large fruit bowl and help themselves to drinks from the juice in the cupboard and water from the fridge water cooler. Children are very well supported by the childminder. She plays an active part in encouraging and supporting children by ensuring that mealtimes are relaxed, social occasions, where everyone sits together to enjoy each other's company and learn social skills.

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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 very safe environment where risks have been identified and minimised. Regular risk assessments of the home are undertaken and are recorded for information. The childminder safeguards children by implementing very good procedures and being consistent in checking the childminding area before children arrive. There are good safety measures in place and children move safely and confidently in the childminding areas. For example, children are protected with very good security at entrances to the premises. There are appropriately placed smoke alarms and a fire blanket in the kitchen. Children have good opportunities to learn about personal safety as they practise road safety. An effective fire evacuation plan is discussed and practised with the children to ensure they are familiar with the emergency exits and to raise their confidence in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have independent access to a good variety of equipment and play provision. All equipment is in good condition, clean and well maintained. Toys are provided that meet children's developmental needs and challenge their learning. These are stored neatly in labelled containers and drawers. Children access them freely promoting choice and independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of how to protect children, and recognises that this is her first priority. She is vigilant, aware of the known signs and symptoms of possible abuse and knows the appropriate procedures to follow should she have concerns about a child in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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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. Children are very happy and settled in the child friendly environment where they have good access to a wide range of activities, which enhances their development in all areas. The childminder informally plans activities around special events, outings and different festivals. The children are involved in the planning; they have team meetings where they sit and discuss what they would like to do. This enables them to initiate their own learning and increases their interest in the activities and promotes choice. They play very creatively using their imaginations in role play when they turn the outdoor play house into a restaurant, burger bar and stage for their shows. They paint and draw making their own monsters. Children are enthralled as they decorate cups with their own designs using special felt pens and proudly show them to their childminder. They play very well together as they build an intricate train track, taking turns

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and enjoy chatting about their day. They take part in many interesting activities outdoors, such as visiting farms, adventure play areas, the seaside, parks and museums. During term time younger children enjoy visiting playgroup where they learn to socialise with their peers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Interaction between the childminder and the children is very warm and trusting relationships are developed, which increases children's sense of well-being and confidence. Children receive lots of cuddles and playful interactions take place as they laugh and joke with their childminder. They are respected and fully involved in the whole of the setting including the inspection process. Children comment on how much they like their childminder through written cards and letters.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Children have access to some toys and equipment, such as multicultural story books, dolls and play people that show people from different ethnic family groups and the customs and cultures of other countries. However, she has limited resources that positively represent disability in society. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They talk confidently and are well mannered and sociable. They behave well and have a good awareness of boundaries and acceptable behaviour. The childminder has house rules that she discusses with the children and they are also given 'smiley face' awards for good behaviour. Children are secure and happy; they approach the childminder confidently to ask for help with activities and the childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

is cheerful and positive with the children. Children's individual needs are fostered well. The childminder collects information from parents to ensure that all children receive appropriate care. She has experience in caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities and works well with parents to ensure children's needs are met. She discusses issues with the other children to promote their awareness.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are confident and secure because the childminder has developed good relationships with parents. She welcomes parents to the setting and has time to discuss their children's day, involving them directly in their children's care and development. Parents are updated verbally regarding the day to day care of their children to ensure that the successful exchange of information impacts positively on the children's happiness and security. The childminder has a written agreement with parents which sets out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the children and business arrangements. Parents receive a good deal of information about the setting through the childminder's portfolio and noticeboard, and there are photographs

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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 of the children and their creative work displayed in the kitchen. Letters and cards from parents and children contain many positive comments about the childminder's practice.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are safe, secure and happy in a stimulating environment. They are confident to initiate their own play and learning, are fully engaged in activities and receive appropriate help and support from the childminder. Children benefit from the childminder's good experience of caring for children and they are kept safe due to the childminder's good awareness of vetting procedures for adults having supervised or unsupervised access to the children. The childminder uses her time well to ensure that children receive appropriate adult attention and this ensures that children feel secure and confident in her care. The environment, both indoors and out, is organised flexibly so children are able to make choices and decisions about what they would like to play with and how they would like to spend their time.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the care and welfare of children. The childminder has a good range of documents that are shared with parents to keep them informed about the provision. These are implemented successfully in the daily routines, updated regularly and impact directly on the continuity of the children's care. 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

At the previous inspection it was recommended that improvements were made to fire safety in the home and documentation. Good improvements have been made to protect children. Smoke alarms have been fitted on each level of the home and written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice for their children has been obtained.

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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 complaint 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): • extend resources that represent positive images of diversity in society.

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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 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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