Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY273259 Unique Reference Number 06 February 2008 Inspection date Janet Skippins 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 2001. She lives with her partner and child aged nine months in Dalton, Huddersfield. The playroom with adjacent toilet, lounge and conservatory on the ground floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The home is within walking distance of shops, school and a park. The childminder is registered for five children and is currently caring for six children, two of whom are over eight years. Children attend on a part-time basis. The family have a pet dog. The childminder is a qualified nursery nurse and 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 very clean and well-maintained environment. The childminder promotes good practice to prevent the spread of infection and keep children healthy. For example, she wears disposable gloves when changing nappies. Younger children learn about the importance of personal hygiene through reminders from older children, and the childminder, to wash their hands after they have used the toilet. They use paper towels for hand drying to

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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 minimise the spread of infection. The children enjoy their meal times when they sit and talk with the childminder. They have a healthy, nutritious diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit. The childminder works closely with parents giving them the option of providing food for babies if wished. Children are able to help themselves to drinks of water at any time from their own colour-coded cups. They rest and sleep in accordance with their individual needs and routines. Regular use of the garden, local park, outings to the play gym and toddler group provide many opportunities for healthy exercise to encourage their physical development.

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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 welcoming environment where very good safety precautions have been taken. For example, doors are fitted with a safety device so that children can not trap their fingers. There is ample space to move easily indoors and outdoors and children have opportunities to safely make independent choices about what to play with. Children are able to easily select toys which are appropriate to their age and stage of development because the childminder organises resources very well at child height. They learn to keep themselves safe through gentle reminders from the childminder, for example, not to climb on the furniture.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are developing an understanding of the danger of fire, because they talk about emergency evacuations with the childminder before practising them. Good precautions are taken on outings, for example, when out walking reins are used if necessary. The childminder always carries a small first aid kit along with parents’ contact details. Children are protected from harm because the childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Toys and resources are well organised in labelled boxes so that children can independently select what they would like to play with. Children develop very good levels of confidence and self-esteem by cooperating with the routines which present sufficient challenge. The childminder informally plans a wide range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate play activities. For example, babies play with tactile materials like jelly and cooked rice and pasta. They respond well when the childminder supports them to use musical toys, which help to develop their listening skills. Very well presented displays of their work show they do finger painting. Social skills are developing well as children learn to share and take turns with each other and the children they meet at toddler group and the play gym. Children also enjoy interesting outings, for example, going on walks to see farm animals and having picnics in the park. Photographs

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of children enjoying the activities along with records of work are stored in a book for each child. This is given to parents when children leave the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed at the setting. They receive support and affection which results in them feeling confident, happy and secure. The childminder treats children with equal concern, respecting their individuality and meeting their needs. The children take part in activities appropriate to their different needs and abilities because the childminder is successful in promoting inclusive provision for them all. She is experienced in caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. Children are starting to learn about diversity, however, resources

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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 to support their learning are limited. Children are starting to understand expectations for their behaviour. For example, they know they should be kind to each other and share toys. The childminder gives the children plenty of praise and individual support during everyday play activities. Parents think very highly of the childminder and have shown this by nominating her to receive an award which was presented at a celebration organised by Sure Start and the local authority. They have regular discussions with the childminder and are able to see records of their children’s work and development. Parents of babies are provided with detailed information regarding food, sleep and nappy changes.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has attended many relevant training courses and demonstrates a commitment to developing her service by doing further training. Children feel at home and at ease in the well-organised setting. This means they are confident and able to initiate their own choices. They are very well supervised and activities are planned and organised to ensure that they receive a high level of attention. There is ample space for the children to play in the whole of the ground floor of the home. Parents and children use a dedicated entrance to the home; they are received into a lobby which leads to the playroom. Children have easy access to the decked area of the garden from the playroom.

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Organisation

Documentation is in place to promote the welfare, care and learning needs of the children. Children's needs and achievements are shared through regular daily discussion and records of their activities. 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 last inspection the childminder was asked to devise and implement a system to record any incident of physical restraint or intervention. This has been given attention and a system is now in place. This enhances the safety of children and provides useful information for parents.

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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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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

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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 the range of toys and resources to promote positive images of a diverse society.

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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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