Clayton, Beverley

Inspection report for early years provision

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207443 Unique Reference Number 06 November 2007 Inspection date Jennifer Getty 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 1993. She lives with her husband and children aged 15 and 18 in a village near Chesterfield. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a garden for supervised outside play. The family has a pet fish and two hamsters.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder drives or walks to the local school to take and collect children. She attends the local childminder group and carer and toddler group. She takes children to the local library and local park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding 11 children all of whom attend on a part-time basis and eight of whom are over eight years old.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds an early years childcare qualification and is a member of the Derbyshire Childminding Network. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 good. Children's health is promoted well because the childminder helps children to learn about good hygiene practices and healthy living. Children wash their hands at appropriate times in the day and use paper towels to help minimise the risks of cross-contamination. There is a suitable policy in place to ensure that the risk of the spread of infection is minimised and children who become ill are collected by parents. The childminder has a well-stocked first aid box and keeps a clear record of accidents, ensuring children's health and welfare is promoted. There is an appropriate policy in place which ensures that parents give written parental permission for the safe administration of medication, however, records are not consistently signed by parents afterwards. This means that children's health is not fully protected because parents are not always acknowledging when the last dose was given.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of experiences that promote physical activity, which promotes the development of their physical skills. They have regular trips to the local park and visit local forests and farms as part of the wide range of outdoor activities. They throw frisbees and play on ride-on toys as part of their healthy living project, as well as making large posters for the wall showing which foods are healthy. Children enjoy a balanced range of healthy home-cooked food such as spaghetti bolognese, roast meat and vegetables, and jacket potatoes. Fruit is offered at snack time and children have the opportunity to help plan the meals for the week, promoting their independence skills and encouraging them to think about healthy eating. The childminder ensures that children's needs are met because she obtains information about their individual dietary requirements.

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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 which helps them feel secure and comfortable. Toys are set out for younger children as they arrive, helping them feel settled and more toys are accessible in the low cupboards. There is a good range of toys which are appropriate in design and condition, and meet the needs of a range of ages and stages of development. Toys and equipment are checked regularly to ensure they are safe for children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes positive steps to promote the safety of children both indoors and outdoors. Hazards are minimised because the childminder checks the house each morning to ensure it is a safe area in which children can play, for example, she checks electric socket covers, cupboard locks on kitchen doors and the safety of the outdoor area. Children's welfare and safety is further promoted because the childminder has put into place a policy for missing and uncollected children. The emergency escape plan is practised and recorded ensuring that children are protected in the event of a fire, as well as, having smoke alarms on each level of the house and a fire blanket in the kitchen. On outings children discuss road safety with the childminder and wear appropriate restraints in the car. Written parental permission for travelling in the car is obtained promoting children's welfare. Younger children learn how to keep themselves safe

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

by tidying away toys they are not using, for example, children clear away the building bricks so that they are able to safely play with the cars and garage.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder has a good understanding of the signs of abuse or neglect and is able to put appropriate procedures into place when necessary.

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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 happy and settled in the childminder's home. Younger children enjoy lots of cuddles and develop strong relationships with the childminder. Children of all ages enjoy a range of activities that promote their enjoyment and learning. The childminder plans activities that meet the needs of the children cared for and takes the time to find out about their interests. Toys are set out for the younger children allowing them to develop their independence. They also make regular visits to the local childminding group which helps children to develop good social skills as they mix with other children of their own age, as well as adults. The childminder helps younger children develop their language skills, repeating words and introducing new and more complicated words such as helicopter. Children play happily as they press out different animals in the play dough using a range of different cutters, demonstrating good fine manipulative

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

skills. They concentrate and smile as they make a row of monkeys and name each one as a member of their family. Children feel settled as they are able to talk about their family and their lives at home. They respond well to the childminder's praise and encouragement and young children seek the childminder's help with more complicated activities such as building the roof of the house they are making with the building bricks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to enjoy a wide range of experiences such as craft activities, making bonnets for a competition, baking and visiting local attractions such as soft play centres, museums, butterfly farms, farm parks and Sherwood Forest. Children of all ages enjoy the trips and children play well together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder helps children feel welcome by ensuring they are treated as individuals and that they are fully included in the life of the setting. Young children happily enter the home and immediately settle as they begin to use the play dough. Children's details are collected at the beginning of their care with the childminder to ensure their individual needs are met. Children of all ages learn about the local community through regular visits into the village, activities and reading. They are also developing an understanding of the wider community as they celebrate festivals relating to various cultures around the world. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities by maintaining good links with parents and outside agencies and providing good support for those currently being cared for.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing a good understanding of responsible behaviour. The childminder acts as a positive role model to encourage good behaviour and, for the most part, children respond well to the gentle reminders. Children benefit from the positive partnership with parents. Parents have a copy of all the policies and procedures ensuring they are fully aware of the care of their child and promoting children's well-being. Parents are also kept informed about the care of the children on a daily basis. The childminder ensures children are collected by the appropriate person, maintaining their safety.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides. Children are cared for in a well-organised environment. The childminder holds a childcare qualification

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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 and regularly attends training, promoting children's well-being and learning. Children's health is promoted in the event of an accident or illness because the childminder holds a valid first aid certificate. The childminder ensures children are protected from those not vetted. Documentation is effectively organised. A daily register showing exact times of arrival and departure is maintained to ensure the correct ratios are maintained. There are several children over the age of eight who are cared for by the childminder after school and in the holidays. For the most part, children understand and respond well to the consistent rules set by the childminder. There are occasions when the behaviour of some of the children over the age of eight is not in line with this, which means that there is a potential impact on the care of younger

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Organisation

children. However, this behaviour is managed appropriately by the childminder. She reviews her practice and attends relevant training to ensure the needs of all children are met. The childminder works well with parents to ensure they are aware of all aspects of the care of their child and promote continuity of care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to provide a range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity, obtain written permission for the administration of medication and to transport children in the car.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's welfare and safety is promoted because the childminder has developed her knowledge of equal opportunities through training. Children have access to positive images of diversity through craft activities, books and jigsaws. Children are treated as individuals and respond appropriately to anti-discriminatory comments. The childminder keeps a record of any medication administered and obtains prior written parental permission. Parents give written permission for children to be transported in the car.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 that records are consistently signed by parents to acknowledge when medication has been administered

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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 ensure that the number and behaviour of children over the age of eight does not adversely affect the care of the younger children.

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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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