Childminder in North Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY301850 Inspection date 08 August 2005 Inspector Christine Snowdon

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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 was registered in January 2005. She lives with her husband and four children aged two, six, eleven and thirteen years. Their home is in Sherburn-in Elmet in North Yorkshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding eleven children, all of whom attend for part-time care. Six of the children are aged over eight years.

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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 childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very clean, warm, home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They are developing a good understanding of why they must wash their hands before meals and after toileting. Older children do so independently, whilst the childminder assists the younger ones. However, children's shared use of the hand towel reduces the overall effectiveness. Children are well nourished and they benefit from the healthy and nutritious diet provided by the childminder. They drink fresh water, milk or fruit juice regularly throughout the day. Meals and snacks are freshly prepared and offer choice and variety. For example, children choose which fruit they would like at snack time from the selection which includes apples, oranges and pears. The childminder is very flexible and takes account of parent's wishes, children's preferences and their dietary

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Helping children to be healthy

needs. All children enjoy the very effective range of activities that promote high levels of physical health and well being. Daily outdoor activities in the garden enable them to develop high levels of co-ordination and skill. They bounce, jump and do somersaults on the trampoline; swing, climb and balance on the climbing frame. At the park they run around, play ball games and use the various apparatus.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has a very good approach in promoting children's safety, both indoors and outside. She ensures all safety equipment is in place and uses it effectively to minimise risks. As a result children move around her home safely, freely and independently. Children are learning about playing safely and taking responsibility for themselves. They know that only two children are allowed on the trampoline at any one time and to stay in the centre, away from the edge. The childminder ensures their safety by constant supervision and reminders of safe practice. They learn how to evacuate the premises by practising the fire drill and follow safe routines when walking to and from school. Children independently select toys and resources from an excellent range of good quality, clean and age appropriate resources. The childminder has organised and stored them effectively, to promote self-selection in a safe and easy manner.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required procedures and documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. This includes a current first aid certificate and a secure understanding of child protection procedures in line with

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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 the local Area Child Protection Committee guidelines.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. All children are very happy and relaxed in the childminder's welcoming home. They are highly motivated, enthusiastic and keen to learn new skills. They eagerly take part in, and enjoy, the wide range of stimulating and developmental activities. For example, they all want to show off their skills on the trampoline and show great pleasure at achieving somersaults and other intricate moves. They receive excellent support and interaction from the childminder and her time is spent effectively with them. She enables children to enjoy new challenges and take age-appropriate risks. They show real determination to complete the monkey bars and reach the other end, enjoying the praise and encouragement from the childminder when they do so. Children particularly enjoy baking, when they make cakes, flapjack and buns. They all agree the best part is eating them! Younger children are developing very good

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

social skills within large and small group settings. The childminder organises excellent opportunities for them, such as visits to toddler groups and story sessions at the local library. These activities effectively promote their independence and help prepare them for pre-school. The childminder has a very positive and caring relationship with the children. Younger ones enjoy sitting on her knee, looking at books and reading stories together. She encourages their learning and development through her effective questioning and interaction. When lifting up the flaps in the book, they predict what is underneath and repeat the words. Children are very confident and ask her questions if they don’t understand. She gives them clear, age appropriate explanations which extend their knowledge and understanding very well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides an appropriate range of resources to promote a positive awareness of the wider world and diversity. They look at books, read stories together and get out and about in the local and wider community. However, the children have so far only celebrated festivals that reflect their own cultures and customs. Children are highly valued and respected as individuals. They are very happy, settled and confident in their surroundings. Behaviour is very good and they respond positively to reminders from the childminder. Children are very caring and considerate towards one another; they share equipment, take turns and play together very well. The childminder effectively promotes good behaviour through her positive praise and encouragement. Children have high levels of self-esteem and feel part of the family. For example, they celebrate their birthday's with a cake which they all eat

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and enjoy. Children's individual needs are met very well. Their daily routine is discussed at

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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 length with the parents to reflect that of home. The childminder fosters close working relationships with the parents to ensure they are kept well informed and reassured. They receive daily written feedback in the form of an activity sheet for older children and more detailed daily diaries for the younger ones.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel very welcome and at home in the well organised and child-orientated environment. As a result, they confidently initiate their own play and access resources. The childminder shows commitment to developing her own practice through attending a wide range of training, including Birth to three matters. She uses her time, knowledge and skills in an effective way to enhance the children's care. The childminder has all the required documentation in place and uses it effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of all children. Her registration and training certificates are displayed, to reassure and inform parents. There are very good methods in place to keep parents up to date with the care their children receive and the activities they take part in. Overall the provision meets the needs of all children who attend.

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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): • further improve hand washing arrangements for children to reduce any risk of cross infection

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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 • extend the range of activities to promote awareness of cultures and customs other than their own.

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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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