Foster, Margaret

Inspection report for early years provision

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319955 Unique Reference Number 16 January 2008 Inspection date Ann Webb 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 since 1993. She currently cares for eight children on a full or part-time flexible basis. She lives in an end terraced house in Churwell within walking distance of schools, nurseries, local shops and the park. She travels to Morley to visit the library and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her husband and three daughters aged 14, 11 and nine years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children have access to the whole of the ground floor of the premises where sleeping arrangements are made and to the bathroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed play area to the rear of the premises.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends a childminding group in Middleton.

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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 contribute well toward their own hygiene practices. They use individual cloths and towels for hand washing and know when they have visited the toilet that they need to wash their hands. Anti-bacterial hand wash is also available with wipes to use on trips and outings. The childminder further promotes the children's health and well-being through good nappy changing routines, wearing protective clothing and washing down surfaces.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children's understanding of healthy eating is good. They try a variety of nutritious home-cooked food at meal and snack times, for example, they enjoy beef stew with parsnips and carrots for their evening meal. They know when they are thirsty and are able to have drinks of water throughout the day. Additionally, the childminder talks about healthy foods with the children during outings to the shops.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have good opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They take walks each day to and from school, visit the park and play outdoors in the garden. They are able to develop the skills needed for physical development, for example, riding tricycles, kicking balls and sliding.

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Helping children to be healthy

A clear sickness policy and the management of childhood infections further ensures that children's health is effectively promoted. The children are able to rest and to sleep in accordance with their own sleep patterns and their parents' wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children actively contribute toward their own safety through the rehearsals of emergency evacuations and road safety procedures. Most areas of the home are safe and secure and children are unable to leave unaccompanied. However, ornamental items close to the floor pose a hazard to the children. The childminder monitors visitors to the home and verifies their identification before allowing access. All toys and equipment are in good condition and very well presented. This enables the children to have safe and independent access to resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's safety is further enhanced through the childminder's clear understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. She has a good understanding of the signs, symptoms and procedures to follow if she has any concerns regarding the children in her care. Her written child protection policy is shared verbally and in writing with parents at initial meetings and systems are in place to record all concerns. Existing injuries records are detailed, however, they do not contain a parental signature.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Procedures to record accidents and the administration of medication are followed consistently by the childminder, for example, parents are required to sign records which ensures that they receive accurate information regarding their children's care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of the developmental needs of the children and ensures that activities are planned to incorporate children's interests, their ages and 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 attendance patterns. Their emerging language skills are reinforced through mimicking the sounds they make, repeating words, frequent reading of stories and singing songs and rhymes. The children's language and understanding is promoted well by the childminder who interacts well with the children. She listens to what they have to say and supports their development through questioning and encouragement to talk about what they know.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children play with a good range of toys and resources. For example, role play, small world figures, art and craft and construction. The children's creativity is successfully promoted through good opportunities to experiment with paint, collage and craft activities. Examples of their efforts are displayed on the walls for them to admire and to show their parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All the resources and play materials are easily accessible which enables the children to successfully manage their independence and make their own choices. They are learning to share and to take turns through joining in games and activities with their peers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children benefit from the very good partnership between the childminder, parents and carers. For example, the children are given effective support to settle and become comfortable in the childminder's care through flexible settling-in visits. The childminder takes time to ensure that parents leaving their children for the first time are fully informed about her service and confident about the care their children will receive.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Additionally, relevant policies, certificates and information, such as the registration certificate, complaints procedure and child protection policy are readily available for parents to read. To support this information the childminder ensures that verbal exchanges take place at the beginning and end of each day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children have good opportunities to learn about their local and wider community, for example, they access resources which reflect a positive image of race, gender and disability, such as books, puzzles, dressing-up clothes and small world figures. Through the celebration of a variety of festivals, such as Diwali, Eid and Christmas they learn effectively about their own traditions and those of others. Additionally, they visit the local shops, library and parks which further develops their knowledge of the local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages the children's behaviour well and the children understand their boundaries. Additionally, the childminder ensures that good behaviour is praised and encouraged. This raises the children's self-esteem and helps them to understand what is expected of them. Children's behaviour is discussed with parents and additional information regarding behaviour management is sourced and researched.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are cared for in a very well organised environment. The childminder manages her time efficiently, ensuring that the children are well occupied and supported in planned and spontaneous activities. All of the required documents are in place, such as accident and medication records. They are effectively organised, stored securely and easily accessible.

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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 The childminder is committed to improving her childcare knowledge and understanding. For example, she has attended recent training on 'Birth to three matters' and listening to children. The childminder has a good understanding of the National Standards, the supporting criteria and current changes. For example, she has a procedure to follow in the event of a complaint from parents.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures that relevant checks are carried out on all appropriate adults and effective systems are in place to protect children from persons who have not been vetted. 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 improve safety with regard to evacuations and smoke detectors. She was also asked to provide resources which reflect diversity. Since the last inspection the childminder has implemented emergency evacuation rehearsals which are recorded and she has fitted smoke detectors to all levels of the home. Diversity of the local and wider community is reflected positively through books, puzzles and small world figures. These improvements contribute successfully toward the children's safety and learning.

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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. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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 parental signatures with regard to records of existing injuries • ensure hazardous items are inaccessible to children.

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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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