Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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311052 Unique Reference Number 05 November 2007 Inspection date Janet Skippins 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 1998. She lives with her husband and children aged 17 and 14 in Dalton, Huddersfield. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. Children use the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks and uses a car to take children to and from local schools. She is registered for six children under the age of eight and is presently caring for six children under eight and two over eight. Children attend on a part-time basis. The family have a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a level 3 National Vocational Qualification in Early Years Care and Education. She coordinates the local childminding support group and 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 and well-maintained environment. The childminder is fully committed to promoting good practice to prevent the spread of infection and keep children

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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 healthy. For example, she follows a well written procedure regarding sick children. The children enjoy their mealtimes when they sit and talk with the childminder. They have a very healthy, nutritious diet of home-cooked meals, with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit. They have the freedom to enjoy a wide variety of physical play activities in the large garden. Walks to school, outings to the play gym along with dance and music sessions indoors, provide further opportunities for healthy exercise to encourage their physical development. They are able to rest and sleep in accordance with their individual needs and routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for and well protected in a secure, welcoming and safe home. Very good safety precautions are taken, for example, a carbon monoxide detector is in use and outside gates are double locked. There is ample space to move easily inside and out and children have opportunities to safely make independent choices about what to play with. They are able to easily select toys which are appropriate to their age and stage of development because the childminder organises resources well at child height. Children are starting to learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, they respond well when the childminder reminds them to tidy up their toys so that the do not fall over them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are developing an understanding of the danger of fire because they talk about emergency evacuations with the childminder before practising them. Written records show these take place monthly. Sensible precautions are taken on outings and children learn about road safety when out walking with the childminder. They are protected from harm because the childminder is well trained and understands her role in safeguarding children. She can take action if necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder's home and outdoor area provides clearly defined areas for children to play, including good provision for quiet relaxing activities, such as looking at books and playing with jigsaws. Toys and resources are well organised so that children can independently select what they would like to play with. Children develop good levels of confidence and self-esteem by cooperating with the routines which present sufficient challenge. They enjoy a wide range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate activities which include baking and playing with paint, sand and water. Well planned outings, for example, to a large pet shop, give the children opportunities to see, and get close to, baby animals. Social skills are developing very well as children learn to share and take turns with each other and the children they meet at the toddler group. The childminder shows her commitment to making parents aware of their children's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities by taking photographs which she presents to parents at Christmas.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed at the setting. They receive support and affection which results in them feeling confident, happy and secure. The childminder treats children with equal concern, respecting their individuality and meeting their needs. She is experienced in caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. The children take part in activities appropriate to their different needs and abilities because the childminder is successful in promoting inclusive

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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 provision for them all. They learn to have a positive attitude to others through celebrating festivals and using resources, such as musical instruments from different countries, books and dolls with different skin colours with the childminder. Children are starting to understand expectations for their behaviour. For example, they know they must not sit in the home corner furniture. The childminder gives very good explanations of how they might hurt themselves if they do this. She gives the children plenty of praise and individual support during everyday play activities. The childminder has a very good relationship with parents. They show high levels of satisfaction through thank you cards. They are able to access a good range of well detailed policies and procedures regarding the childminding service. However, the childminder does not

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Helping children make a positive contribution

have written information for parents on how to make a complaint. Information about their child is shared through regular discussion and photographs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well trained and highly committed to attending further training to develop her service. Children feel at home and at ease in the well organised setting. This means they are confident and able to initiate their own choices. They are very well supervised and activities are planned and organised to ensure that they receive a high level of attention. The childminder gives priority to time management, for example, home-cooked meals are prepared ahead so that she spends minimum time in the kitchen while childminding.

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Organisation

Most documentation is in place to promote the welfare, care and learning needs of the children. Children's needs and achievements are shared through regular discussion. 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 consider obtaining written permission from parents for children to have contact with animals. This has been given attention, providing clarification of the childminder’s routines and child care practices, resulting in an enhanced partnership with parents.

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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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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

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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): • develop a complaints policy to provide clear information for parents regarding the procedures to be followed for recording and investigating 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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