Childminder, Out-of school day care in North Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 501212 Inspection date 02 August 2005 Inspector Mandy Black

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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 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 has been registered since June 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and nine years. They have a pet dog. Their home is an extended end of terrace house with an enclosed rear garden, in the village of Scorton, close to the A1. She currently collects children from Bolton on Swale Primary School and Scorton Pre School. Additional children may be cared for when the childminder is working with her co childminder, but if working alone, she may care for a maximum of five children under eight years. At present there are 25 children on roll, all of whom are cared for on a part time or occasional basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding network.

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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 take active responsibility for their own hygiene tasks such as wiping their noses, washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating, often without prompting. The childminder has made this easier for them by installing a low level sink and a fitted soap dispenser. They are cared for in a very clean home and the childminder further protects children's health by observing good hand washing practices herself when she is preparing meals and snacks or changing nappies. Younger children sleep according to their own needs and home routines, which is agreed in discussion with parents. For example one child always sleeps in a pram downstairs whilst another sleeps upstairs in a travel cot. The childminder is careful to ensure that the family dog does not pose any risk to children's health or safety and if necessary, he can use his own fenced in area with a kennel in the garden. Children

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Helping children to be healthy

have regular opportunities to be active and enjoy physical exercise. This includes many outings, using the local park, climbing on the large climbing frame in the garden and using other equipment provided by the childminder to suit all ages. Children are provided with home cooked, nourishing snacks and meals which they are very enthusiastic about. The childminder always considers children's dietary requirements when planning and preparing meals. She encourages children to try new and unfamiliar foods such as dried apricots, and to help children gain an awareness of healthy eating they discuss why it is important to avoid food containing too much sugar.

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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 very welcoming, safe and secure environment with an easy to supervise layout. All necessary safety features are in place to protect children. For example, covered electrical sockets, a very secure garden and safe storage of hazardous substances. Children play with a large range of suitable, safe equipment which is all regularly checked by the childminder and any broken equipment is discarded. She is careful to ensure that younger children do not access any toys containing small pieces. Children's safety when on outings or walks to school is well considered; younger children are carefully strapped into a buggy, older children walk holding hands in pairs and they wait for the childminder at designated points, which ensures that they develop some independence whilst still being safely supervised. Older children are learning how to keep themselves safe. They take risks in a safe environment as they

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

climb and swing on the large climbing frame in the garden, with guidance and encouragement from the childminder. This helps to develop their physical skills, their confidence and provides children with a sense of achievement. Children's awareness of fire safety is increased as they take part in monthly fire drills and discussions about

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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 these with the childminder. Children's welfare is protected because the childminder is clear about her role in child protection. She is familiar with all the required documentation and has attended further training in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The enthusiastic interaction between the childminder and all children is of very high quality and the childminder is extremely attentive to the children's needs. This contributes to the children feeling particularly well settled, very confident and animated in their discussions with her. Children state that they absolutely love being with the childminder and this is very evident through observation. Children take part in an excellent range of planned activities as well as those initiated by themselves. They show great interest in their theme about holidays, which includes making pictures of themselves on holiday, examining a large bowl of interesting and unusual seashells and collecting, discussing and displaying holiday postcards. They develop their creative skills and a vivid imagination as they access superb creative resources, design and make their own jewellery, dress up and act out

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

role play situations. The childminder consistently explains activities and rules of games very well to ensure that children can play them effectively. For example, children think carefully and logically before placing their discs in the Connect 4 game. Children learn about animals with great interest and enthusiasm. One of the children helps the childminder to fill up the dog's water bowl and uses the dog's brush to groom his coat and make it shine. He discusses the importance of taking good care of animals and strokes the dog with great care and affection.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have very good access to a large range of resources, many of which reflect positive images of different cultures, gender and disability. They benefit from these, gaining a good awareness of the wider world, due to the childminder's increased knowledge and her use of the resources in a meaningful way. Children with special needs are fully included because the childminder knows them well and has established successful working relationships with parents. Children understand responsible behaviour because the childminder deals with minor incidents, such as disagreements, very effectively. She skilfully explains to them why they should apologise and play together harmoniously following an incident in the garden. Children are very clear about her high expectations of them and they learn to treat others as they would like to be treated themselves. Children's individual needs are well met by the childminder due to the very good

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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 relationships she has established with parents and the fact that the childminder feels strongly that parents views are vitally important. She ensures that they receive detailed information about the children in her care and keeps written records in a daily diary for the younger children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has attended well above the mandatory training requirements, which certainly enhances the standard of care she provides and the increased opportunities for children. She works well within her childminding ratios at all times to meet children's needs effectively. In order to provide a better service she often works with her co childminder when numbers of minded children do not require this. She has a very organised approach to documentation and all required paperwork is in place, although she does need to display her certificate of registration. Outcomes for children are clearly well understood by the childminder, who has put together a file with lots of good evidence to support this. A number of written policies are in place which are clear and comprehensive and work in practice to promote children's development in all areas. Overall the childminding service meets the needs of the

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved children's safety by ensuring that records of accidents are in good order and she has obtained written consent from all children's parents before taking them out in her car.

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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 • ensure that the certificate of registration is displayed at all times.

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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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