Dickinson, Allison

Inspection report for early years provision

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319980 Unique Reference Number 29 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 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 1992. She lives with her husband, two teenage children and child aged 12 years in Carlton, a suburb of Wakefield. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding with bathroom facilities 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 two children under five years all day, two children under five years part time and two children over five years before and after school. She occasionally works with an assistant. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has two dogs and two guinea pigs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows effective procedures and practices, which meet the children's physical, nutritional and health needs. They follow good hygiene routines

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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 wash their hands at appropriate times, such as before eating. Cross-infection is well considered as all the children have their own clean, colour-coded towel within easy reach; this encourages children’s independence. Their health and well-being are maintained appropriately through a clear sickness policy and the management of illnesses. All the required documentation is in place to safeguard children’s welfare. Written parental consents are in place and the record of accidents and medication given are well documented. The childminder has a current first aid certificate to ensure children receive appropriate care in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children benefit from eating healthy meals and snacks throughout the day and drinks are readily accessible. The childminder ensures children eat the packed lunches provided by their parents. She gives parents information on a healthy diet to ensure they provide food that is nutritious for the children. The food is stored and prepared appropriately by the childminder, who has undergone food safety training to meet the requirements of a safe kitchen. Children eat together at the table to promote a social, family atmosphere. The childminder is aware of the children's individual dietary needs through discussions with their parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a range of activities, including the daily walk to and from school, which help develop their physical skills. They enjoy playing in the park on the apparatus and having the space to run for long distances. Young children have indoor space to practise their walking skills safely and 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. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe environment where they have space to play comfortably. They choose toys and equipment confidently and independently as resources are stored at child height. Children play with equipment that is suitable for their age and stages of development. They move freely from one area to another and benefit from the successful organisation of space that allows them to be easily supervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The risk of accidental injury to children is minimised as the childminder takes precautions to reduce potential hazards, such as checking her family has left out no small items from the previous evening. Children are supervised closely on outings, particularly when walking to and from school. They do not walk next to the road and older children know to hold on to or walk close to the buggy. Children are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe by practising the fire drill with the childminder to ensure they leave the premises quickly in an emergency and by role play, when they talk about the hot oven when 'cooking'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted well by the childminder who has a clear understanding of child protection issues and procedures. She understands her role in child protection and ensures parents are informed, through a written child protection policy, of her responsibility to safeguard the children. The childminder ensures she meets all people who will be collecting the children to ensure they are released only to known members of their families.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are offered a wide range of resources and activities, which are well planned around children's interests and continue their learning from school. The childminder supports younger children well to allow them to join in with activities, maintaining their interest and enabling

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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 them to develop through play. Numbers, colours and shapes are learnt during everyday play, for instance, when using play dough or jigsaws. Children enjoy rhymes and older children spontaneously sing number songs they have learnt at nursery. Younger children are developing social skills by learning to play alongside other children. They all enjoy a good variety of outings and photographs taken during the trip are shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are settled with the childminder and her family. Good relationships are evident and the consistent support and meaningful praise offered by both the childminder and her assistant encourage children to learn what they can do and know when to ask for help. The children have plenty of opportunity to be creative and use their imagination. Craft activities are available all day both for younger children and for older children after school. Young children chatter happily during imaginary play with small world figures, recreating everyday events, such as going to bed or taking a shower. The childminder actively stimulates language development in young children as she spends time talking and playing with the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are encouraged to take part in all the activities provided and are cared for according to their individual needs. They learn to share equipment, take turns when playing games and play cooperatively. Children follow simple house rules and routines so that they are secure and comfortable with what is expected of them. As a result, children's behaviour is good. Children benefit from a childminder who has a consistent, age-appropriate approach to behaviour management.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to learn about differences within society through access to sufficient resources reflecting positive images, such as books and small world figures. The children discuss other cultures and share what they have learnt at school. The childminder has no experience of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities but demonstrates a positive attitude to providing an inclusive environment for all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An effective partnership with parents is established which contributes satisfactorily to children's well-being and gives them continuity in their care. The childminder shares information with them about the service she offers, including policies, procedures, contact details for the regulator and Ofsted and any training she has attended. This ensures parents are well informed. However, the written complaints procedure is brief and does not contain detail about the timescale for resolving complaints. Children are encouraged to tell their parents what they have done during the day and the childminder keeps them up to date with their child's activities through photographs.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder’s written policies and procedures effectively underpin her working practice and satisfactorily support the efficient and safe management of the provision. The childminder provides a child-oriented, homely environment where children are comfortable, settled and their individual needs met. Children are appropriately supervised at all times and, by using an assistant, they receive extra support when necessary. Ratios are maintained at all times and, as the number of children in place in an afternoon before children return from school is low, younger children receive a good level of adult support and interaction at this time. The

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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 childminder sufficiently updates her knowledge and skills to benefit children’s care and learning by undertaking some relevant training sessions.

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Organisation

All the required documentation is in place and well maintained to support children's safety and welfare. Confidentiality is respected when storing and recording the children’s personal information and parental consents. 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 previous inspection the childminder was asked to ensure the record of children's attendance was maintained. This recommendation has been met and the attendance register accurately records all children's actual arrival and departure times.

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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): • provide more detailed information in the complaints procedure so that parents are aware of the timescale for resolving 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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