Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 321958 Inspection date 11 July 2005 Inspector Ingrid Pine

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 satisfactory. 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 1995. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in a house in Netherton, a village between Wakefield and Huddersfield. Children are cared for in a purpose built port-a-cabin with its own toilet facilities sited in the rear garden. There is a secure area suitable for outdoor play. There are shops, parks, childcare groups and schools in the vicinity and major road networks are close. The childminder operates a drop off and collection service from Netherton Junior, Infants and Nursery School. There are ten children on roll, including two over 8 years of age.

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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 The family have two dogs. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about the importance of good personal hygiene through planned consistent daily routines. They know that they have to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. However there is some risk of cross contamination because children do not have individual hand drying facilities. The childminder has regular cleaning routines in place and has a sickness policy which is discussed and agreed with parents. These procedures contribute to children's health and safety. The childminder provides a varied diet and children are encouraged to eat healthy food. Individual children's specific dietary requirements are well provided for as discussed and requested by parents. Younger children are offered regular drinks and older children can access their own which are available on the work surface. The childminder encourages children to drink more often when it is hot weather and gives

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Helping children to be healthy

explanations as to why they need to do so. Children are seen to understand this well as they include it in their own play. For example, children explain that they are giving a baby doll a bottle "because she is thirsty". All children experience a good and varied range of outdoor activities which support and help to develop their physical skills. They regularly walk the local footpaths and enjoy playing in the local park. They also enjoy time spent in the garden playing at hopscotch and with wheeled toys such as bikes and prams, developing their control and co-ordination. Older children have a very good knowledge of how their bodies work. They talk about having new shoes because their feet have grown and know that they have to wear a hat in the warm weather to prevent sunburn. The childminder ensures that younger children follow their own routines when supporting their individual rest and sleep needs. They benefit from having their own

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Helping children to be healthy

personal comforters and blankets and develop securely and confidently in a caring environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's risk of injury is minimised as they are encouraged and supported to negotiate obstacles, position drinks beakers with care and practise fire drills. Children have good opportunities to safely self-select their own activities both indoors and outdoors, closely monitored by the childminder. They have access to good quality resources that are well maintained and cleaned regularly by the childminder. All

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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 children develop a strong awareness of road safety as the childminder reinforces rules and limits such as holding hands in busy places and using the green cross code and school crossing patrol. Children are developing very good spatial awareness and they move freely and safely inside and outside in the garden. Younger children manage steps with appropriate support and are encouraged to control, sit and ride toys in the garden. They safely self-select from a good range of high quality resources which are satisfactorily organised and stored accessibly, for instance in plastic boxes on the floor. The childminder has most required procedures and documentation in place to ensure that children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted, although there are no records of emergency evacuation practices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a high awareness of child protection issues which ensures children are kept safe. They learn about staying safe and stranger danger as the childminder encourages a qualified parent to talk to children about this.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Older children are secure and happy and confidently express their own ideas and needs. They have warm relationships with both the childminder and her husband who is registered as an assistant. These have been built up over time, increasing the children's sense of trust and helping them to develop a strong sense of self. They play with purpose and are engrossed in their play. They childminder provides a good selection of resources and children use their imagination to act out familiar situations such as shopping, going for walks and feeding the babies. All children are cared for in a well maintained safe and secure environment. For example, because the port-a-cabin is situated in the back garden there is a security buzzer on the gate which can only be opened electronically once the childminder can see who is there. The childminder has a very high awareness of safety in the sun. Children learn about

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

its importance as she provides hats and sun-cream and there is a gazebo in place so that they have a large shady place to play under during hot weather. The childminder has two pet dogs that are kept in a very secure pen and children do not have access to them. There are effective routines in place to ensure that the dogs do not pose a hazard to children. Children's risk of injury is minimised as they are encouraged and supported to negotiate obstacles, position drinks beakers with care and practise fire drills. Children have good opportunities to safely self-select their own activities. They enjoy spending time making patterns from sticky shapes and drawing. They do not have regular access to activities which promote and develop their individual creativity such as painting. Younger children are secure and receive attention, love and cuddles. They enjoy sitting on the childminder's knee and are encouraged to sing familiar songs and

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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 rhymes. They make the childminder aware of their needs by sounds and gestures, for example pointing to their cup when they want a drink and to the cupboard when they want a biscuit. However, because the childminder has no knowledge of Birth to three matters or similar material she does not always fully develop young children's curiosity and exploratory senses. Older children confidently attend to their own personal routines. They go to the toilet themselves, access their own drinks and choose their own activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have very good relationships with the childminder, her assistant and each other. They are cared for in a loving, family atmosphere. Children's individual personal needs are well catered for as the childminder is pro-active in giving support and helping children to share and talk about their personal issues. The childminder promotes and develops effective and long standing partnerships with parents. This helps to ensure that children are well settled and parents are happy with the care provided. The childminder has effective behaviour management strategies in place and children play harmoniously together, learning to share and take turns. Older children are encouraged to include younger ones in their play. Babies and young children are developing confidence as the childminder responds to their sounds and gestures. For example, pointing at the door when they want to go outside and making the childminder understand that they want the pram hood down.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are gaining a clear positive view of their own world. They regularly attend school activities and go out for walks to learn about their local rural community. The childminder has a sensitive and positive approach to equal opportunities, although resources and activities are not fully developed.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and are confident in the well organised and supportive environment. A satisfactory range of verbal policies and procedures are in place to ensure the provision is safely managed. These are discussed with parents who are familiar with the routines as the childminder has built up long standing trusting relationships with them. This contributes to the continuity of care for children. The childminder maintains a satisfactory range of documentation in order to promote the welfare and care of children, although there are no written agreements in place. Verbal discussions regularly inform the parents of the children's day, routine, achievements and progress. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve the range of resources that promote disability and culture. Some progress has been made but they need to be developed further to ensure children have access to activities that positively promote their awareness of cultural and social diversity.

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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 satisfactory. 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 cross contamination is minimised by use of appropriate hand drying facilities • develop knowledge and understanding of how young children learn. For example through use of Birth to three matters or similar material • promote children's individual creativity, for example in art and craft • further develop resources and activities that promote children's awareness of social and cultural diversity • ensure there is a written agreement with parents which sets out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the child, activities provided and business arrangement

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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