Childminder in Kingston upon Hull

Inspection report for early years provision

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313361 Unique Reference Number 13 February 2008 Inspection date Margaret Bryant 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 has been registered for 12 years. She lives with her husband and two daughters aged 16 and 5 years of age in the east of the city of Hull, some five miles from the city centre. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children. There are currently six children on roll, all of whom attend on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The downstairs area of her home is used with upstairs accessed for use of the bathroom. There is an enclosed garden to the rear for children's use. The childminder also takes children out to the park and they walk to and from school daily during term times. The family has one pet rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Children's health is protected. They are cared for in a home and with resources which are very clean. They learn about the importance of keeping fit and together with the childminder, children do exercises along with a television programme each morning. Children go on local walks to the park and use a wide variety of equipment in her garden to help them develop their physical skills. For example, there are see-saws of different sizes catering for all ages of children, swings, a trampoline and bats and balls. Children really enjoy the garden and independently access all of the equipment. Large physical equipment is situated on a barked area which helps protect children as it reduces the impact if they fall. There is also plenty of room for them to run around in the garden and benefit from the fresh air.

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Helping children to be healthy

There is always fruit available for children to freely access and they learn this is healthy for them to eat. Some children bring their own packed lunch and drinks and these are stored appropriately. Children for whom the childminder provides meals, enjoy a healthy lunch of ham sandwiches or other fillings and fresh fruit. If tea is required, a light tea including fish fingers or ravioli is provided. Any food provided is in line with children's individual dietary needs. Children who do not bring their own drinks are offered these regularly and know they can have one at any time they wish. Children are also allowed the occasional treat. When they hear an ice-cream van in the neighbourhood they run indoors excitedly. The childminder allows them to have a small ice-cream each from her freezer. Children sit down together to eat and enjoy eating outdoors when the weather is fine.

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Helping children to be healthy

Before they eat children know they should wash their hands. Older children go independently to the toilet and understand they must wash their hands properly with soap. They know this is important to remove the germs and prevent them from getting poorly tummies. Younger children are taken to the toilet and are beginning to understand about this too. Children's health is therefore protected. However, there is only one towel and although this is changed daily this does not sufficiently prevent the risk of cross contamination of germs. The childminder protects children through not caring for those who may be ill. Parents receive a copy of this policy. The childminder is quite confident to deal with any emergencies that may arise and protect children's health and well-being. This is because she has attended an appropriate first aid training course, for which the certificate is still valid.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is protected well as they play outdoors. This is because the childminder shows vigilance in her supervision of them and ensures they are always within her sight and hearing. She regularly checks all her resources and equipment to ensure its continued safe use by children. She has measures in place un her home to protect children from harm, including locks on cupboards where toxic substances are kept. The final exit doors also comply with local fire officer regulations allowing access out in the event of emergencies. They are secured to keep children safe with devices which are quick release. Having the fire procedure displayed on the wall means parents can see what they should do in an emergency and all children learn what to do through discussion. They are aware of which exit to use according to where the fire is and they also take part in fire drills. Older children know what to do if their clothes catch fire;

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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 On walks to and from school the childminder is always reinforcing the importance of observing road safety. Children who need pushchairs have restraints fitted to keep them safe and older children all know to walk carefully with her and not run off. They all cross roads together safely. Children also learn about keeping safe and not talking to strangers. When they are out and older children see and talk to someone they know, she always intervenes to ask who the person is and stays close by. Children know to take care when playing near the youngest of children and not to run around when indoors. This ensures all children are safe. The childminder always accompanies young children who need help to the toilet, however, there is no gate across the bottom of the stairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder shows knowledge of what to do if she has concerns about children in her care, in order to safeguard them. She is happy to consider any training about child protection which enhances her knowledge of how to care for and protect children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of opportunities provided by the childminder. They have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise and choice from a variety of easily and readily available, age-appropriate resources. Children play very well together and include the youngest of children in their play. They particularly enjoy playing outdoors and play alongside one another well. They also enjoy using their imaginations. For example, they make a den from tables and sheets and enjoy hiding in it and having their afternoon snack in it. They giggle and chatter together and have fun. They often initiate their own play and play other games such as hide and seek. They use an object which they hide for one another to find. Those who have to find the object are given clues by being informed whether they are hot or cold, when near or further away from it.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Pre-school children are involved in a lot of one-to-one sessions when older children are at school. This enables the childminder to develop children's leaning. She makes sure she provides the opportunities for children to want to learn through making it fun and less formal. She provides work books for children. Together she helps them learn about simple counting, numbers, colours and shapes. As they get older, she helps children to recognise some basic letters. All children have opportunities to draw and make marks on paper. When children's interest is obtained, she helps sustain their skills of concentration by sitting with them to help them learn. All evidence of children's learning and progression is included in their own file which is shared with parents on a regular basis.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder includes parents with following on work done when with her, by further helping their children with the activities at home, through their workbooks. This helps ensure parents feel involved and included in their child's learning and development. Children get stickers from the childminder which helps them feel proud as they know their efforts are recognised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is lots of evidence available of the range of opportunities children enjoy when with the childminder. These include paintings, craftwork and salt dough models. Children also help to make some of their own activities, such as jigsaws. They cut up pictures into a number of different shapes and pieces which they are then able to put back together as jigsaws. Children are helped to develop skills of independence as they put on, or in the case of younger ones, attempt to put on, their own coats, outdoor shoes and hats to go out and play.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very happy, settled and feel included as the childminder is very knowledgeable about their individual needs. They happily go between the available areas and know where things are. Children enjoy the praise they get from the childminder and this helps them to feel good about themselves. Sometimes children get excitable, however, the childminder is confident to deal with these situations, which sometimes occur in the presence of parents. She is clear with parents about the behaviour she expects from their children and children know the basic rules when with her. They understand they must be kind to one another and share the toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder treats all children equally and ensures their individual needs are cared for in line with parents' wishes. Children feel included as they help her plan for special events including Valentines day and the Chinese New Year. She talks to children about the world around them and helps them notice animals, such as squirrels which play outside her home. They talk about different countries, particularly at holiday times and she has resources which reflect positive images of race and diversity. She helps children to understand that there are lots of different people in the world and some who have additional needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has settling-in visits with any prospective new children and their parents. She finds these are important for a two-way exchange of information. She likes parents to see her home, meet her and see what she has to offer , and to make sure children are going to settle with her. She provides parents with her operational policies and procedures and points out her certificate of registration which is on display. This ensures they know how many children can be cared for. Parent also receive the contact details of Ofsted in case of a complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Areas of the home that are used are well organised. Older children enjoy the freedom of being able to make changes to these, to enhance their fun. For example, they move furniture with help from the childminder to make their dens. They also freely access the garden, which although accessed through the kitchen, poses no risk to their safety as appropriate safety measures are in place.

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Organisation

The childminder provides parents with well organised files of their child's work. She also ensures she shares her file of policies and procedures, including certificates of training she has completed. She has all records as required by regulation and demonstrates a good knowledge of completion of records such as the complaints log. She has a record of attendance which records children's times of arrival and departure. However, this is recorded in a dairy which also includes other information. The system in place for the recording of medication, which is not required very often, is being improved. However, documentation is not kept locked away when not in use, therefore, does not protect the confidentiality of some of the information, including personal details.

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Organisation

The childminder has formal written agreements in place with parents which includes payment of fees and hours of attendance. She also has permission in writing to take children on outings which includes using her car. Parents are informed daily of what their children do whilst with her, taking home any craftwork they have done. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to: develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection; develop systems to show the broad range of opportunities provided for children; establish written agreements with parents including permission to take children in her car and; to ensure she was specific in her recording of medication given.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder attended some child protection training and is aware of the procedures to follow to safeguard children in her care. She has a contract in place with all parents which sets out the business arrangements. She also has written permission from them for many aspects of their child's care which includes the transportation of children in her car. Parents are now fully aware of the care and arrangements in place for the care and well-being of their children. She shares with them what children do and has compiled files with evidence of children's learning and a wealth of craftwork. Her medication system is being improved, however, parents are fully aware of what is required from them in this respect.

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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): • consider improving hand drying facilities • devise a risk assessment with regard to non use of stair gate • improve organisation and completion of records; make sure all records are safely locked away when not in use.

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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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