Childminder in York

Inspection report for early years provision

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321279 Unique Reference Number 15 October 2007 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 1996. She lives with her family in Bishopthorpe near to the City of York. The lounge, playroom, kitchen and two bedrooms on the first floor of the childminder’s house are used for childminding. Toilet facilities are available on both floors. There is an enclosed garden at the rear for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children over the age of four years at any one time and is currently minding children before and after school as well as during the school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a dog.

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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. The childminder has clear hygiene procedures in place which protect the children from becoming ill. Cross-infection is well understood and children use paper towels to dry their hands on. They are fully aware of the routine of washing their hands as soon as they come in from school, before eating their snack. The childminder's sickness policy is shared with parents to protect the health of others. All accident, medication registers and parental permissions are in place to support the safety of the children and keep parents informed.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy a sufficient snack of a biscuit, fresh fruit or vegetables, which is readily available for them when they come in from school. Water is easily accessible and they know they can ask for more if they are thirsty. The childminder is aware of the children's individual dietary needs through discussions with their parents and caters appropriately for any special dietary requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children benefit from regular physical activity during daily walks to and from school. An enclosed outdoor play area allows children the opportunity to participate in garden games with a good variety of equipment, such as a slide, trampoline and space hoppers. Children also enjoy nature walks and taking the dog for a walk adds to their pleasure. The childminder understands the need for children to relax after school and provides space and resources to allow them to do this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a suitably safe environment for the children by making sure that sufficient safety equipment is in place for the age of the minded children. For example, smoke alarms are tested regularly and a safety net is used around the trampoline. The garden is well enclosed and the children generally adhere to the rules in place for the use of equipment, offering them safe, secure outdoor play. The childminder helps the children understand the importance of using equipment safely. They safely walk with to and from school as they all know to walk in front of the childminder and to cross the roads together. A fire evacuation procedure is in place for the home. This is regularly practised so that children are aware of what to do in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a good range of high quality, well-maintained play equipment available for the children. The equipment provides appropriative challenge, interest and fun for all the ages of children attending. Resources are easily accessible, encouraging self-help skills and independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards and promotes children’s welfare and has all the required procedures and documents in place. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has a clear understanding of child protection procedures to follow should she have a concern about a child in her care. Parents are fully aware of the procedure for the safe collection of children, which ensures that children's safety is maintained at all times.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder provides a warm, welcoming environment for the children. They settle very quickly after school and enjoy time at the end of the school day when they can relax or be active in accordance with their needs and interests. The good range of resources and activities provided keeps the children focused and interested in their play and supports their individual development. Children cooperate well with each other. They join with a friend to play a favourite board game and are given plenty of praise for tidying it away before moving to another activity. Some children enjoy the opportunity for active play in the garden while others select quieter activities, such as computer games or art and craft.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Warm relationships are evident between the childminder and children. Children chat happily to each other, make decisions about their play and confidently show which their favourite games are. They are confident to go to the childminder for support and help when needed, for instance, when making the eye holes in a mask, but are also given good encouragement to become independent and to do things for themselves. The childminder knows the children well and provides plenty of activities and outings during the school holidays that she knows interest them and are suitable for all the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are helped to understand each other's similarities and differences. The childminder makes appropriate use of sensitive discussions, particularly on the way home from school, and has improved her range of resources to support the children's awareness of diversity. All children are welcomed by the childminder, who caters well for their individual needs. She is happy to undertake relevant training, sometimes of a specific nature, to support them. All children have equal access to the full range of activities and resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children play well together as good behaviour is valued and encouraged. They are gently reminded by the childminder to say 'please' and 'thank you' when necessary, readily share and take turns with popular resources, such as the computer. The childminder manages children's behaviour in a way that is appropriate to each child's age and stage of development. She offers them frequent praise and encouragement, which helps build their self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a well-established partnership with parents in place and daily verbal exchanges of information ensure that parents are aware of their child's activities. A file of general information is shown to new parents and they are given a good range of written policies and procedures so that they understand the childminder's practices and her duty to the children. Confidentiality is clearly understood and well respected at all times. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure she obtains enough information about the children's care needs to support them appropriately.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder's home is welcoming and organised to meet the children's play and physical needs. They have safe and free access to appropriate areas for rest, quiet, snacks and play. Children are comfortable in their routines, especially after school. Toys and equipment are readily accessible for them to choose and use independently. Children are supervised sufficiently

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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 to ensure that they are safe at all times. However, the childminder has not complied with her conditions of registration. She has not informed Ofsted or carried out checks, including a criminal records check, on all persons over the age of 16 years who are living or regularly present in the household when children are being minded. This compromises the safety and welfare of the children.

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Organisation

The childminder uses a good range of policies and procedures to support her childminding practice. Information on written policies is generally accurate and they are shared with parents to keep them well informed. All children's records, registers and parental permissions required for the efficient and safe management of the provision are in place.

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Organisation

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 children had an appropriate range of activities and resources that promoted equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice with regards to disability and special needs. The childminder uses all opportunities to help children learn consideration for others and be confident around disability. As a result, this recommendation is satisfactorily met.

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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: • ensure all persons living or regularly present in the household, over the age of 16, are advised to Ofsted and undergo checks including a criminal records check. 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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