Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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311177 Unique Reference Number 17 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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 2000. She lives with her husband and child aged nine in Batley, West Yorkshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of her home, apart from the front room, for minding. Bathroom facilities are available on the first floor. 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding four children on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local childminding support groups. The family has a cat, two hamsters and fish.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. The childminder uses suitable hygiene procedures to ensure children are cared for in a healthy environment. For example, she cleans kitchen surfaces with antibacterial spray and children are encouraged to put tissues in the waste bin after using them. Children are appropriately

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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 protected if they become ill or have an accident. The childminder has completed a suitable first aid course and makes sure parents sign the accident book to show they have been informed. However, the childminder is in breach of a regulation by not always obtaining their permission to give medication prior to it being administered, which puts the children's safety at risk.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a clear understanding of providing meals and snacks that are healthy and nutritious, without containing too much salt, sugar, additives or preservatives. Healthy eating is discussed with children and they enjoy topic work to raise their awareness of making healthy choices. Drinks are offered regularly to children throughout the day and they have their own cups. The children's dietary requirements are discussed with parents to that they can be suitably met.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder plans her day to allow time for young children to rest as well as be active. They have the opportunity for fresh air when going backwards and forwards to school with older children and enjoy activities, such as feeding the ducks in the park or going on nature walks. The childminder makes use of a variety of local parks that offer different equipment for the children to enjoy and develop a positive attitude to exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home has safety precautions in place that are appropriate to the age of the children, so that they play safely. For instance, radiators are set at a low temperature and all areas used for minding are thoroughly assessed. Children are beginning to understand about hazards within the home through clear explanations by the childminder. Fire safety is well considered. Children practise the fire drill and a fire blanket and smoke alarms are in place in the home. Permission to take children on outings and to transport them in a vehicle is obtained from parents, whose contact numbers are taken at all times. Children are safe on outings; young children are securely strapped into the pushchair and older children walk carefully alongside, using reins if appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The organisation of space and resources within the provision allow children to move safely and confidently, accessing resources and different areas for their play. Resources are clean, appropriate for the age of the children using them and are within easy reach of the children, supporting their increasing independence. The childminder carefully monitors young children’s toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. She makes good use of the local toy library to extend the variety of equipment she offers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has updated her knowledge on child protection issues and has a clear understanding of the correct procedures to follow should she have a concern. Parents are well informed of the childminder's policy on the safe collection of their children and her duty to their welfare. The premises are secure and, as a result, children are well protected at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder knows each child very well and organises play suitable for their development. They are offered a wide range of resources and activities, which are flexibly planned around their interests, the time of the year and other events, such as the extension of a safety topic covered at the childminding group. The childminder changes the resources at regular intervals to maintain the children's interests and stimulate their learning. She teaches children about

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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 number and colour through play; they make puppets to support counting rhymes and talk about what they see in books. Children are engrossed in their play and chatter happily to themselves as they play with, for example, small world figures. They are encouraged to learn using all their senses as they listen to the rain on the conservatory roof or smell the peppermint essence in the play dough. Younger children learn to play alongside others when they visit childminding support groups, where they enjoy craft activities with friends.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are settled with the childminder and young children enjoy a cuddle when they are tired. The childminder interacts well with the children during activities to enhance their play and encourage conversation. For instance, children enjoy looking at photographs and the childminder asks them to recall the events and the outing. The skilful verbal communication between the children and the childminder supports their speech and language development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are given satisfactory support to develop an awareness of the wider world as they, for example, celebrate the Chinese New Year or play with resources showing positive images of diversity. Outings, such as nature walks, help children learn to appreciate their local environment. The childminder has policies in place which demonstrate her commitment to providing a service that values children as individuals, promoting equality and anti-discriminatory practice. Children take part in organised charity events, such as a 'Toddle Woddle', which help them learn about children less fortunate than themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children generally play well together and their behaviour is managed consistently with positive strategies in place. The childminder builds the children's self-esteem through praise and encouragement. Good manners are valued and only occasional reminders are needed when children forget. They are beginning to show an understanding of sharing and the childminder gives them clear explanations on how to play nicely together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shares sufficient information with the parents to successfully meet the children’s individual needs. Forthcoming topics are displayed on the notice board so that parents can contribute if they wish. The childminder informs parents about their child's day through sufficient daily verbal exchanges of information and each child has an individual file containing photographs and pictures for them to look at. New parents are shown a comprehensive file of policies and procedures and are offered a copy of them for their own records. A flexible settling in period, where information is exchanged, helps new children settle easily with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder provides care for the children in a welcoming, warm, comfortable environment. She organises space and resources well to enable children to have some choice and in summer they are able to play indoors or outdoors whilst being well supervised. A good range of toys and equipment is available for the children. The childminder plans her time so that older children have some individual attention at the end of the day. There is a secure routine in place for children's care, learning and play, in which children are happy and settled.

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Organisation

The childminder shows satisfactory commitment to ongoing personal development and has attended various training courses which enhance the care she offers to the children. Her documentation is satisfactorily organised and mostly well maintained. Parents are aware that

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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 they have access to their own child's file and confidentiality is respected. The written policies and information about the childminding service are always available to parents. However, not all policies reflect the childminder's practice. For example, the procedure to obtain parental permission is stated in the written medication policy but this is not always followed and this has an adverse effect on the children's safety. Overall, the provision does not meet 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 it was recommended that the childminder developed a knowledge and understanding of child protection issues approved by the Local Safeguarding Children Board. This recommendation has been met as the childminder has attended training to up date her knowledge and is booked on further training to gain greater understanding.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder has devised an emergency treatment policy which parents are asked to sign when they have read and agreed it. However, the parents do not sign the policy sheet and the childminder intends to amend this so that their signature is clearly noted alongside the permission.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The recommendation to obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children has not been met. As a result, an inadequate judgment has been given for this inspection as this is a breach of a regulation and the childminder is required to address the issue to protect the children's safety when medication is administered.

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • submit an action plan to show how written permission will be obtained from parents before administering medication to children. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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