Cunningham, Susan

Inspection report for early years provision

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311022 Unique Reference Number 21 November 2007 Inspection date Shaheen Matloob 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 June 1997. She lives in a semi-detached property with her partner and one teenage child in the Mirfield area of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Local amenities, such as shops, parks and schools are close by. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and children have supervised access to the dining kitchen. There is a fully enclosed area for outdoor play. The family have a rabbit which lives outdoors, a tortoise and five goldfish.

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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 three children under five years, one child over five years and seven children before and after school and school holidays. All children attend various part-time sessions. The childminder walks to the local school 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 and holds a level 3 childminding qualification.

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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 have a clear understanding of personal hygiene. Well planned daily routines and discussion promotes children's knowledge of health and hygiene. All children have individual towels and know which one belongs to them. For example, 'mine is yellow and it's got a chicken on it'. Children explain how they must wash their hands before eating and after they use the toilet. The childminder follows established hygiene procedures to enhance the levels of hygiene. The home is clean and well maintained and she wears disposable gloves and an apron for nappy changing in order to sustain good levels of hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

A clear sickness policy alongside incubation periods details how the childminder acts in the best interests of children if they are ill, to prevent others from illness and cross infection. Accident and medication records fully meet requirements and the childminder holds a valid first aid certificate to keep children safe. However, the childminder has not obtained written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to rest and be active according to their needs. Good arrangements are in place for children to sleep. Children have good use of an exciting outdoor area with use of equipment, such as a trampoline, and bikes to promote physical development. Children have daily opportunities to get fresh air and exercise as they walk to and from school.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. They benefit from a varied range of freshly prepared, healthy homemade food, which promotes their healthy growth and development. Children have excellent opportunities to devise and plan their meals as they have an input into the menu. Children's individual dietary needs are met effectively because the childminder works with parents, whose wishes regarding food and drink are respected. Children thoroughly enjoy fruit as part of snack and understand how some food, such as potatoes and oranges 'are good for you' and sweets are not so good because 'your teeth might fall out'.

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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 welcoming and child-friendly environment where children's work is valued and displayed attractively, giving them a sense of ownership and belonging. A parents' notice board contains children's pictures and useful information.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes positive steps to promote children's safety and keep children safe. Effective safety precautions are taken and daily visual checks ensure that potential risks to children are minimised. She provides safe and well maintained toys and equipment, which conform to safety standards and are checked daily when set out; broken items are discarded to prevent later accidents. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder is vigilant and points out dangers to children. For example, she explains to children not to put scissors in their mouths. Children know that they must not touch wires because 'the telly might come off'. The childminder has achieved a good balance between freedom and safe limits and this means that children move freely and independently within a safe and secure environment. Children have a clear understanding of road safety and know they must not run across the road and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

'look both ways' before crossing the road. They explain how, 'the lollipop lady helps you to cross the road and then we say thank you'.

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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 Fire safety is excellent. The childminder has devised a colourful and comprehensive evacuation procedure where each area of the home is identified and colour coded. Children are fully involved in the process and have devised evacuation signs, which clearly mark exits. They have a secure understanding of the evacuation procedure and know exactly what to do in the event of a fire. They know that 'you have to go outside and you can't come back in because you might get fire on you'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of child protection issues. She has devised a cohesive child protection policy, which ensures that she is confidently able to implement relevant procedures in the event of a concern being raised. She fully recognises that her responsibility to protect children and safeguard children's welfare is paramount.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the welcoming setting. Children play an active part in the setting as they make informed choices about their play and care routines. They share some responsibility in making decisions about the setting, such as contributing to the menu and the fire evacuation procedure. Children are motivated in a broad range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate activities, which offer good levels of challenge. Children also have opportunities to bring in their personal and favourite toys. Children understand that tools can be used for a purpose as they are involved in role play. They use pliers and explain how they are used to cut things. Children are able to demonstrate care and consideration as they help to feed and look after family pets.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience an environment that is rich and creativity is valued. The childminder provides children with a range of opportunities to use their skills imaginatively, such as art and craft, dance and role play. Children enjoy art and craft activities as they explore colour and shape as they choose and cut out pictures for their collage. They are adept at handling glue and sellotape to stick their pictures. Children particularly demonstrate a keen interest in this activity and persist for some time, stopping occasionally to chat to the childminder about their picture. The childminder supports children's learning by finding pictures of action figures and asking questions to develop their recognition of colour.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children thoroughly enjoy role play and are quite content to play alone with dolls and push them in their prams or use the changing station. They also enjoy music and movement as they imitate characters on television and dance to music. Children have mutually respectful and friendly relationships with each other and explain that they like coming to the setting 'because their friend comes'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and included and the childminder ensures that no child receives more or less favourable treatment, and their individuality is respected. They are warmly welcomed into the setting and the childminder meets parents' requests for their care of their children according to their values and practices, which means that children are secure and have a real sense of belonging. Children benefit from a wide, meaningful range of activities and resources, which help them to value diversity, such as African dolls, Chinese dolls, books and dressing-up clothes. Children experience foods from other countries and use utensils, such as chopsticks to develop their knowledge of the wider world.

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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 Children are well behaved and polite and their behaviour is consistently of a good standard. They work and play together harmoniously as they are encouraged to share and co-operate with each other, and know that good behaviour means 'playing together with babies and sharing'. Children are encouraged to behave respectfully towards each other and understand that everyone has their own opinions. The childminder makes good use of an 'empathy doll' which she uses to talk to children if they are upset or to address any relevant issues. The majority of the time, positive methods are used to manage children's behaviour. However, the childminder uses methods of 'time out' that do not consistently promote children's welfare and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An excellent partnership with parents contributes significantly to the welfare and development of children. Parents receive policies and procedures about the setting and daily verbal communication is shared effectively to keep parents informed of their child's day. The childminder has also created exciting records of development for each child, which contain valuable information, such as children's work, observations relating to their development and photographs. These are openly shared with parents and presented to them as a memento when their child leaves the setting. Children clearly benefit from this positive relationship with parents and they are happy and secure in the environment.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder demonstrates a clear purpose and commitment to improvement and since the last inspection she has attended a number of beneficial early years training courses. She has a secure knowledge and understanding of child development and is clearly motivated in improving her service through knowledge and skills gained through training.

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Organisation

Space and resources are organised well and offer a relaxed and stimulating child-friendly environment. The childminder spends good quality time positively supporting children's care, learning and play.

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Organisation

Comprehensive legal documentation in line with the National Standards, is of a good quality and organised efficiently. A wide range of clear and concise policies and procedures are understood by the childminder and shared with parents, they work well in practice and effectively promote children's health, safety, enjoyment and ability to make a positive contribution. 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: ensure a written record, signed by parents, confirming medicines have been given to children is maintained; ensure parents have the opportunity to give their written permission agreeing to the emergency contingency plans and ensure parents have the opportunity to give their written permission for the childminder to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder has clear medication records in place which are signed by parents, and all parents have provided written consent to agree to the emergency contingency plans. However, the childminder has not obtained written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment and this remains outstanding.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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. The provider is required

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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): • obtain written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • ensure that all methods of behaviour management used, promote children's welfare and development.

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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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