Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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310991 Unique Reference Number 10 January 2008 Inspection date Linda Filewood 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 1996. She lives with her partner, who acts as an assistant and two children aged 12 and 10 in Birstall, West Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there are bathroom facilities on the first floor. There is a garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding one child on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from becoming ill as the childminder uses good hygiene procedures, which reduce the risk of cross infection. For example, children use individual towels when drying

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 their hands and know how to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. Their health and well-being is constantly maintained through a clear written sickness policy, which is shared with parents, and the good management of accidents and medication. These are clearly recorded and the childminder obtains written permission from parents before administering medication. However, she does not ask parents to sign the record book as acknowledgment when the medication is given.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide packed lunches and the childminder makes sure they are fully aware of her healthy eating policy, which ensures that children enjoy a nutritious diet. The children choose their own drinks and snacks of fruit or vegetables by matching their names to pictures of the snack they would like. This helps them learn to choose healthy options to eat, as well as teaching them to recognise their names. Children eat their meals together to enjoy the sociable, family atmosphere. The childminder ensures she obtains information about children's allergies and dietary requirements and makes sure children eat their own food and do not share.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have plenty of opportunity for regular fresh air and exercise as they enjoy the local amenities daily. They walk to local toddler groups in the morning and enjoy other outings, such as to the play gym, which offer them alternative indoor exercise. The childminder plans her day well to provide children with both active and quiet times. Children rest and sleep according to their own individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are very well cared for in a safe environment as the childminder ensures that all appropriate safety precautions are in place. For instance, she risk assesses the areas used for minding and uses safety gates to stop children freely accessing areas, such as the kitchen. Children are helped to understand the importance of keeping themselves safe, both inside and outside the home. Young children know to come down the stairs on their bottoms and the childminder ensures that they always get out of the car onto the pavement and not the road. They understand what to do in the event of fire evacuation as this is practised regularly and is very well logged.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder organises her furniture to allow children plenty of space to play safely. For example, young children enjoy playing on the floor with a train which requires a large track layout. They move freely and independently access resources. The childminder has an excellent range of very well maintained resources and equipment to promote the children's development. Resources are very well organised in labelled boxes which are rotated, depending on the children's stage of development and interests, to give children plenty of variety and challenge. A low table is well utilised in the lounge for children to play comfortably with jigsaws or games.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection procedures and clearly explains to parents her duty to protect the children in her care. She has undertaken further training to update her knowledge of child protection issues. There are effective systems in place for the safe collection of children. The outside doors are locked so children are well protected in a secure environment.

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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 outstanding. The childminder plans an excellent range of play opportunities and experiences which develop the children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities. Plans are flexible, are based on the children's interests and ensure they learn whilst having fun. The childminder has a very good understanding of providing the children with sufficient challenge to promote their development. For example, jigsaws of varying degrees of difficulty are put out for the children and help is competently offered by the childminder to enable the children to complete them. This greatly enhances the children's confidence and self-esteem. The skilful use of games, such as matching games, improves the children's concentration skills, teaches them to play by the rules, whilst also helping them learn numbers and colours. The childminder offers very good support and encouragement to the children to enable them to fully enjoy the game, adapting

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

it if necessary to suit their abilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have plenty of opportunity to express imagination and creativity. Young children learn using all their senses as they paint, play with dough and sing. They are confident, talkative and are developing good social skills by playing alongside other children at the local toddler groups. The childminder actively stimulates the children's language development as she talks to them during play. Children are eager to participate in all activities and chatter happily to the childminder as they play. She encourages them to talk about what they are doing and seeing. For example, during a cosy story time children are encouraged to recall what they have read about and anticipate what is going to happen next. Children enjoy very warm relationships with the childminder and have a strong sense of belonging. For instance, they enjoy looking at photographs in their well presented individual profiles, which also contain clear observations

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

on their development during their time with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are beginning to develop an awareness of the wider world through resources, such as books, which are used well by the childminder to clearly explain similarities and differences. They learn about their local environment and nature as they look at the birds in the garden or enjoy a nature walk. All children are treated with equal concern and, regardless of gender, have access to the full range of activities and resources. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that the individual needs of all the children in her care are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good; they are well mannered and respond well to the childminder. The childminder manages behaviour in a way that is suitable for the children's age and level of understanding. Good behaviour is encouraged and children are helped to understand about sharing and taking turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures parents receive well presented and detailed written information about their children and all aspects of the childminding service offered, including a range of well thought out policies. Parents are well informed about their child's day and the children's individual profiles are very informative and clear. A well displayed notice board contains a good variety of relevant information and a regular newsletter keeps parents informed of diary dates and forthcoming topics. The childminder obtains sufficient information from parents about their children to give good continuity in their care, and they work well together to provide good care for the children, following their home routines.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder makes very effective use of the space available to create a safe, welcoming, child friendly environment where children are easily supervised. Children move around confidently, are very well cared for and their individual needs are well met. The childminder has renewed her first aid certificate and has attended further training in many aspects of childcare to support her ongoing personal development and enhance the service she offers. The number of children cared for is low so they receive plenty of adult support and interaction. Children are settled, familiar with their daily routines and activities are planned to give good support to their development.

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Organisation

There is a good range of written policies and procedures in place. These are clear, comprehensive and contribute well to the good organisation of the setting, promoting the safety and well-being of the children. Documentation is very organised, easily accessible and confidentiality is maintained at all times. All necessary consents from parents are requested and retained. 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 previous inspection the childminder was asked to continue to enhance the resources that provided positive images of others, especially in relation to gender and stereotyping issues. This recommendation has been met. She has extended her resources and encourages all the children to enjoy all the resources available. The childminder was also asked to inform parents of the change made in regard to the administration of paracetamol based medications. She has amended her medication policy, which is shared with parents, to show this change and obtains authorisation for each medication given, improving the children's safety.

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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 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 all entries in the medication records are countersigned, as acknowledgement by a parent or carer.

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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 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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