Naylor, Zoe

Inspection report for early years provision

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311065 Unique Reference Number 29 January 2008 Inspection date Cathleen Howarth 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 satisfactory. 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 registered in 1998. She lives with her two children aged 15 and 17 in Golcar, Huddersfield. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed 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. Currently there are seven children on roll. Of these, three are over eight years old. The provision includes before and after school care. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children, and attends the local parent and toddler group and playgroup. Transport can also be arranged.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has provision for children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected from infection and are promptly taken care of if they have an accident, or become ill. The childminder follows appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines,

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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 and ensures adequate standards of health and hygiene are maintained in the home. She maintains relevant medication, accident and existing injury records which are countersigned by parents to promote children’s continuing care. However, children’s individual healthcare requirements are not always reviewed in partnership with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to learn simple health and hygiene practices, such as washing their hands after using the toilet and before meals. There are suitable nappy changing and toilet training facilities and routines to provide for early stage children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have sufficient opportunity to enjoy fresh air and exercise. Physical outdoor activities include ride on toys, rockers, various ball games and push and pull, such as dolls in a buggy. This encourages children to develop muscle tone and co-ordination. Children rest and sleep according to their needs and in accordance with parents wishes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning aspects of the importance of eating healthily. The childminder reinforces this by providing a balanced range of nutritional food and drink. For lunch children ate pasta and yoghurt. They have easy access to cold drinks throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are beginning to understand boundaries and limits, such as not running in the house. They have sufficient choice in where they play, for example, in the open plan living room. Under close supervision children play with battery operated cars on the kitchen floor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The environment is kept safe by the childminder, who has sound understanding of the need for a balance between freedom and safe limits. Early stage children move from the highchair to the booster seat at the dining table, when they are developmentally ready to do so.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All fire safety precautions are in place. Children also practice the emergency evacuation procedure to encourage them to act responsibly in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning to tidy up to prevent accidental injury. They play with resources and equipment that are of suitable design and condition, which the childminder checks regularly for repair and replacement to keep children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings and road safety is continually reinforced. Babies are checked regularly when they are asleep. The current public liability insurance certificate is available for parents to view.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are appropriately protected because the childminder has sufficient understanding of her role in child protection. She is able to put appropriate procedures in place if necessary, such as recording existing injuries and concerns, and reporting them to the relevant agencies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children’s range of activities positively supports their overall care, learning and development. For example, they build on their natural curiosity as learners, and develop their language when they empty the toy boxes and talk about what they are going to do. They look at picture books, pointing to pictures and linking them to simple words and letters. They showed pride in their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 accomplishments when they made a rocket and house out of recycled materials. Hand and eye coordination is positively encouraged when children paste the glue to make it stick, and when they select shapes and straws to decorate what they have made.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s confidence is appropriately developed when they engage in challenging tasks. They are learning to put their shoes on independently using velcro to secure the straps. They look forward to visiting places of interest where they can hand feed the animals. Children concentrate fully when they learn how to turn the pages in a book. They memorise stories and rhymes. A children’s, favourite is the song about an old farmer. Children celebrate each others birthdays. They bake and decorate a cake and enjoy eating what they have made.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play well together when they sit on the floor opposite each other, holding hands and rocking backwards and forwards as they sing the rowing song. There is a number poster displayed on the patio door and children refer to it when they practice counting. Early stage children examine the toys around them and demonstrate their initiative when they press different buttons on the phonic activity centre. Other children enjoy drawing pictures, such as the sea side, using different coloured crayons and felt tip pens.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are fully included and involved. Toys and equipment are easily accessible for children to self-select. The childminder positively promotes anti discriminatory practice. There are appropriate systems in place to provide for children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. The childminder uses effective strategies to manage a range of children’s differing behaviour. Children positively respond to the childminder's sensitive handling of situations. For example, when a child took a teddy bear from the baby he was gently coaxed to give it back. Children are learning to share, take turns and to be kind during their play. They are learning right from wrong and beginning to understand consequences to their actions. These measures clearly develop children's self-esteem and respect for others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are looked after according to parents’ wishes. The childminder obtains written parental consent for various childcare practices, like taking photographs and travelling in the car. There is a written complaints procedure for parents to view, which is also discussed at registration. The childminder obtained a certificate from the local authority ‘Awarding Rewarding Work’. A parent was inspired to nominate her for looking after children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrated a good level of commitment to training and personal professional development. She has attended relevant training to keep up to date with childcare practice. Most Children Act regulations are met. However, at the time of inspection vetting procedures had not been implemented. This is a breach of registration requirements.

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Organisation

The organisation of space is effective and there are clearly defined areas for meals, sleep and play. The childminder organises her time well and deploys herself appropriately to meet the individual needs of children.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 A random sample of the required documentation was viewed which is fully compliant to promote children’s care, welfare and learning. The childminder has sound understanding of the need to maintain confidentiality. She shares relevant information with parents and school. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were raised to extend resources and develop knowledge and understanding of child protection. The childminder has extended her range of resources and activities to promote positive images of disability. She has obtained and read relevant literature to increase her knowledge and understanding of child protection in order to safeguard children.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • continue to review children's healthcare needs in partnership with parents • implement vetting procedures and obtain clearances for relevant members of the household.

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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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