Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY268350 Unique Reference Number 03 August 2007 Inspection date Sarah Gilpin 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 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?

This childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her partner and their son aged six months in Barnsley. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, bathroom facilities are on the first floor and there is a fully enclosed outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for five children who attend on a full and part time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and makes use of local facilities, such as the park and library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds an National Vocational Qualification Level 2 in Child Care and Education.

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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 satisfactory. The children's health is promoted because they are cared for in an environment that is clean and maintained to a satisfactory standard. The children's understanding of basic hygiene is growing through daily routines, which the childminder implements. For example, they are encouraged to wash their hands before they enjoy meals and snacks. The childminder has suitable equipment for dealing with accidents involving children, such as a well-stocked first aid box and an accident recording system. However, the accident records on occasion lack sufficient detail. In addition, the childminder does not routinely seek written consent from the parents to seek emergency treatment or advice.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of what constitutes a healthy and balanced diet. She provides meals for the children to enjoy that include fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure that children are provided with foods that meet any specific dietary requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children benefit from fresh air and exercise on a regular basis. For example, they play outside when the weather is fine and visit the local parks to explore their environment. Children's rest and sleep routines are understood by the childminder, who meets these needs by providing quieter activities to allow the children to recharge their batteries.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder maintains her home to ensure that the children are safe and secure. Appropriate steps are taken to minimise risks to children, such as using safety gates to limit access to the kitchen and keeping outer doors locked when children are present. Potential risks are avoided because the childminder supervises the children closely as they play. She carefully reminds the children about the safety of the younger ones with regard to small pieces of equipment. The childminder uses her vehicle to take children on outings and has appropriate consent from the parents. Fire safety precautions, such as a fire blanket and smoke detectors are in place and the childminder has given some thought to how she and the children will escape in an emergency. In addition, she helps children to understand about fire safety through practising her evacuation procedures with them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The indoor and outdoor equipment available meets the required safety standards and the childminder maintains and cleans the toys and resources on a regular basis. The children safely access a good range of toys and resources because they are stored at a low level. Equipment and toys are rotated and children are able to choose from what is available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of her role in dealing with child protection. She demonstrates her awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and has a clear understanding of how to observe and report any concerns relating to the children in her care.

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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 childminder uses her experience and her knowledge of children's development to ensure she meets the individual needs of the different ages of children in her care. For example, she uses quieter times when the younger children sleep to play games one to one with the older children. Toys and equipment are rotated on a regular basis to help maintain the children's interest and they can choose for themselves because resources are stored at low level, which promotes their independence. The childminder collates the children's art and craft work into a booklet, which also contains photographs of them engaged in a variety of activities, to ensure she keeps a record of their progress and to show what they enjoy doing when they are in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children clearly enjoy their time with the childminder and she develops warm and affectionate relationships with them, which helps them to feel settled and comfortable. She enjoys joining the children in their play and gets involved in helping them to decide what to do next. Children particularly enjoy experimenting with paint and playing simple board games. They enthusiastically operate the computer using the excellent educational resources available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder helps the children to develop their awareness of the local and wider community because she takes them out in the local area to socialise, for example, they go to the local parks and play areas. The childminder ensures that children can easily access a good range of toys and resources, such as non-gender specific toys, and toys that reflect the diversity of society. This helps to raise the children's awareness of other people, disability and the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good and they respond positively to the childminder's warm approach. She uses praise and encouragement successfully to promote good behaviour and uses techniques, such as discussion and timeout, when required to manage any unwanted behaviour. The consistent approach used by the childminder helps the children to develop their understanding of what is right and wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder understands that children benefit from her positive relationships with their parents. She shares information through daily verbal exchanges, this method of communication benefits the children and ensures they are cared for according to their parents' wishes. The childminder has a very basic knowledge of the regulations relating to complaints and the information she is required to provide.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder cares for the children in a suitably organised environment where they can easily access resources. The routine for the week is varied and fun for the children because the childminder plans in home-based play, outings to the local park and opportunities for them to socialise with other children. As a result, the children are confident and happy.

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Organisation

The childminder has a sound understanding of the National Standards and has most of the required documentation to support the care of the children. For example, written agreements

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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 are in place and the children's attendance is accurately recorded. She has some policies and procedures to support the care of the children, however, these are not always kept up to date.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve the following: to increase the range of resources to promote diversity; to have written agreements with parents with regard to her assistant and to develop knowledge of child protection issues. As a result, the childminder has purchased books and resources that promote children's awareness of the diverse nature of society. There is clear written consent for the assistant to be in sole charge of the children and the childminder has increased her knowledge of child protection by attending training.

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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 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): • make sure that accident records contain all of the required information relating to the children involved • obtain written consent from all parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice • update the policies and procedures to ensure that relevant information is provided for parents • increase knowledge and understanding of the regulations with regard to dealing with complaints.

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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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