Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY273554 Unique Reference Number 27 November 2007 Inspection date Carol-Anne Shaw 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 2003. She lives with her family in an end cottage situated in a village to the north of Scarborough. The whole of the ground floor and the playroom on the first floor are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed back garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to take a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently caring for six children, most attend on a part time basis.

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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 warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. The house is maintained to a good standard and there are effective procedures that ensure good hygiene practices are followed so children remain healthy. There is a sick children policy about the care of children who are ill so parents are made aware of when children

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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 should not attend. Children are effectively supported to help them learn the importance of following good hygiene practices. For example, the childminder ensures they all wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about keeping healthy and have daily opportunities to enjoy fresh air and develop their physical skills. For example, they play in the garden to develop their coordination, as they are able to use resources such as wheeled toys. They go out for regular walks in the surrounding area. Children are able to rest or sleep according to their home routines. The younger children follow their individual sleep patterns as discussed with their parents and the older children are able to relax and take part in quiet activities before and after school.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet, the home cooked meals and snacks are well balanced, nutritious and comply with any individual dietary needs and parental preferences. The childminder talks to the children about what food is good for them. Meal times are used to encourage children to learn good social skills when they sit together to eat. Drinks are made readily available. The younger children, for example, have their cups easily accessible so they are able to help themselves when they become thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in an extremely well organised and very child friendly home. The childminder checks all areas each day before the children arrive to ensure all her safety measures are in place. This minimises any risks to their safety and as a result children are able to move around the ground floor safely, freely and independently. The childminder gives high priority to helping the children to understand how to keep themselves safe. She talks to them about road safety when they go out and gently reminds them to follow safe practices as they play. For example, she explains why they need to tidy toys away when they have finished with them to prevent falls.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Fire safety is effective as potential fire hazards have been identified and made safe, for example, smoke detectors are installed. A fire escape plan is available and displayed, this is practised and discussed with the older children so ensuring they are confident to deal with any emergency that may happen both inside and outside the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a wide range of well maintained toys and resources. The childminder organises these effectively to ensure they are easily accessible and appropriate to the age and stage of development of the children attending that day. For example, younger children are able to help themselves from a range of low-level boxes, which encourages their independence. Older children make their choices from a wide range of well organised activities that are available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are fully protected by the childminder's effective understanding of safeguarding children. The childminder gives high priority to children’s welfare. She is very aware of her responsibilities with regard to protecting children from possible abuse. She has attended training to develop her knowledge and understanding. Parents are made aware of her role in safeguarding children through access to the childminder's safeguarding 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. The children are happy and settled. They are confident in their surroundings and are very much at home enjoying playing with the childminder. As a result, they develop close and trusting relationships with the childminder and other children attending. They are offered a very good range of both planned and free play activities, which enables them to extend their learning and development in varied and interesting ways. The older children, for example, are able to relax on their return from school, direct their own play or take part in a range of creative activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are given very good opportunities to develop in all areas of learning. Their communication is effectively supported through stories, singing and music. Children develop their manipulative skills through good access to a range of activities that encourage the use of tools. Children learn about colour, number and shapes in their everyday play experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are able to develop confidence and independence by choosing between a good variety of resources, books and activities, which are all easily accessible. The childminder supports children’s individual interests, selecting books to support them. Walks in the local area and trips out and about, on the bus to places of interest, are enjoyed by the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a good range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, they have access to a range of resources including books and photographs to raise their awareness of different cultures. They learn about their local community as they visit local places of interest and do many different topics to support their understanding of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very good understanding of behaviour management. She is a very good role model for the children, she is very patient in her approach. Children are well behaved because boundaries are explained very effectively at their level of understanding. They respond positively to the childminder's clear guidance and are very familiar with the established routines which they follow. For example, they are encouraged from an early age to help tidy away the toys when they have finished playing with them, leaving them for the next child to access. They are confident in their surroundings and develop good levels of independence. For example, they make decisions about what they want to play with as they help themselves to toys and equipment. The childminder's consistent use of praise and encouragement ensures the children feel self assured and supported in becoming confident in what they can and cannot do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents have good partnerships and trusting relationships with the childminder. The childminder discusses all aspects of practice with the parents during initial meetings. She also shares her policies and procedures with the parents at these meetings. There is a written complaints procedure in place, which includes the name and contact number of the regulator. Parents are kept fully informed about their child through regular discussions and the daily diary the childminder completes for the younger children.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very much at home and at ease in the childminder's care. The provision of a well organised and supportive care environment enables them to move about freely and independently, developing their confidence to initiate their own play and learning. Clear procedures help the childminding service operate smoothly and efficiently and are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of all the children.

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Organisation

All aspects of the service are shared and discussed with the parents who are effectively informed about their child's activities through daily discussion. This helps to ensure that the children's care needs are being met continuously. All legally required documentation is in place such as attendance, accident and child information records. These are well organised and stored appropriately to maintain confidentiality.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to providing a good service, for example, ongoing training is attended to keep updated. The childminder is aware of current developments in childcare and that she lacks knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection there was an action linking to the arrangements for first aid.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has attended a training course and now has a valid first aid qualification. This enables her to be confident in the case of an accident and any necessary emergency care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This has improved the care and safety for the children attending the childminding service, the childminder continues to meet the requirement for registration.

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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 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):

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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 • continue to keep updated with current developments in childcare regulation, for example, the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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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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