Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY339845 Unique Reference Number 16 August 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 2006. She lives with her husband and daughter in the Thorpe Arch area of Wetherby. The whole of the ground floor, the small bedroom and bathroom facilities on the first floor are used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for five children. There are two children on role at the present time. The childminder will collect from the local pre-school and school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She uses her car to transport children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from infection through good hygiene routines. They are cared for in a welcoming home which is effectively organised for childminding. Children’s health is supported

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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 by the childminder working to the range of policies and procedures that outline how the childminding service is organised. The childminder meets children’s physical, nutritional and health needs well. The childminder gives support and guidance to help children gain a good understanding of hygiene. For example, children are made aware that washing their hands is important to prevent the spread of germs. The childminder checks with the children that they have followed the appropriate hygiene routines to maintain their health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good access to daily physical play. They explore and develop physical control in daily indoor and outdoor activities. This is planned to ensure they have regular opportunities to enjoy the local outdoor areas. The children use the outside play area each day. She ensures children have many opportunities to develop new skills in games and activities that encourage increasing physical control. Children are able to be independent within the safe environment. Through discussion they are helped to understand how exercise helps them to stay fit and healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s health is fostered through provision of nutritious and healthy meals. They have access to regular drinks and a snack, often fruit mid morning and afternoon. The childminder discusses healthy foods with the children, enabling them to have a good understanding of why healthy eating is important. The childminder works with parents to ensure children have a range of healthy nutritious foods. The close communication with parents ensures all children’s individual dietary requirements are met effectively.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected, the environment has been made safe, risks to children have been identified and minimised by the childminder. This allows children the freedom to move about safely in the areas used for childminding and to independently access equipment and resources. The childminder supervises the children effectively, thus keeping children safe, both inside and outside the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from a range of suitable play resources; these are being extended as the childminding service progresses. Children enjoy using the range of available toys and equipment. The childminder ensures they are appropriate to their ages and stages of development. They are well organised allowing children to freely access what is available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from abuse. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She ensures parents are made aware of her role and responsibilities in this area. Her attention to children’s welfare means that child protection is promoted. The childminder has effective communication with parents which also contributes to children's safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle quickly at the provision, making themselves very much at home. Children are confident and the relationships between the childminder and the children are strong. Children are able to socialise with other children when attending the childminder. They become increasingly independent as they chose from the range of well presented resources and toys organised by the childminder. The planned outings and walks enable children to extend their

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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 knowledge and understanding in a very practical way. They access a wide range of very suitable activities to support their development in the daily routines.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They enjoy a range of different activities to support their creativity, for example, painting and modelling. Children learn about colour and number in everyday activities. The care of the children is good with excellent relationships evident. This enables children to feel secure, build self-esteem and become increasingly confident. The childminder gives lots of practical help to enable younger children to join in with activities. Children enjoy the outings to the library and visits to local places of interest. They have many opportunities to use outside equipment at the park effectively, to support their physical development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children’s routines are followed for rest and sleeping. The childminder works with parents to enable children to be supported appropriately with their own individual care routines. This is discussed on a daily basis and changed to meet the differing situations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals and their individual needs are met effectively. They follow a daily routine that is discussed and agreed with parents. Children learn to show concern for others and to take turns and share. They behave well, showing respect for both resources and others. Children are encouraged to use good manners and say please and thank you when having their snack.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides a range of resources and activities to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children’s understanding of others. They learn about different cultures as they explore different celebrations and visit the local places of interest to support their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s needs are met through good partnership with parents. The childminder ensures parents are kept informed of each day the child spends at the childminder. Copies of the childminder's policies are available for parents in her information folder and on the notice board, giving clear guidance to her service. This works effectively to inform parents of both the childminder's and parents' roles. Written and verbal exchanges ensure that children’s individual needs are met on a daily basis.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are relaxed and at home in the well organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their play and learning. Her policies are used appropriately to promote the welfare and care of the children. The childminder has a range of policies linked to current childcare information. She monitors and maintains a safe environment for the children attending her service. These are shared with parents to keep them well informed about the childminding service. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care.

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Organisation

The childminder's personal development is ongoing as she attends training events.

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Organisation

Most of the required documentation for the safe management of the childminding service is available for parents and the inspection process. However, there is no written permission for

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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 children to be transported in a vehicle. All the documentation is well organised and stored appropriately to maintain confidentiality.

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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

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): • ensure parents give written permission for their child to be transported in a vehicle • continue to develop toys and play materials to create an accessible and stimulating environment for children to develop and learn.

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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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