Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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321941 Unique Reference Number 14 January 2008 Inspection date Maralyn Chiverton 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 April 1991. She lives with her family in Sandal, on the outskirts of Wakefield, within walking distance of local amenities. The whole of the ground floor is used for minding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for no more than six children under eight years of age at any one time. At present there are seven children who attend on a part-time basis only. She takes and collects children from school as well as to the local park and places of interest. The childminder attends a playgroup twice a week as well as a childminder support group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has obtained a recognised quality assurance kite mark.

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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 are provided with an environment that is very clean and welcoming. Children's personal hygiene is well promoted through discussion and simple explanation. The childminder discusses the need to wash hands and explains this is to prevent children from catching any germs, which could result in them having tummy ache. There are very good routines in place for nappy changing. For example, the childminder prevents the spread of infection through the use of antibacterial spray, disposable gloves, nappy bags and antibacterial spray. Toys and equipment are washed on a regular basis and tissues and wipes are readily available for children to use when necessary.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are kept free from infection, through parents' understanding not to bring their children if they are suffering from sickness or diarrhoea or have a common childhood disease, such as chickenpox or measles until they are completely clear. Children are provided with a well-balanced range of home-cooked meals which are wholesome, nutritious and keep them healthy. The childminder promotes children's understanding of the benefits of healthy eating through discussion and explanation. Parents receive information regarding healthy eating which includes foods to avoid. Children's enjoyment of exercise and physical development is nurtured through daily walks and trips to the local park and play gym. Periods for rest and relaxation are included in the daily routine.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a safe and secure environment. The childminder ensures that space and resources are effectively deployed to allow children to access toys and resources which are safe, suitable and purposeful. Toys and equipment are checked regularly to ensure they are safe for children to play with. They are rotated to prevent boredom and encourage new interest. Fire evacuation drills are carried out and recorded on a regular basis, which promotes children's understanding of the reasons why they need to evacuate as well as allowing any concerns to be identified and minimised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Younger children's awareness of personal safety is well promoted through simple explanation and discussion, whilst the implementation of house rules encourages older children to take personal responsibility in keeping themselves safe. The childminder ensures children are kept safe when driven to places of interest and when walking to and from school. For example, all appropriate insurance, booster seats and safety belts are in place and children are harnessed into pushchairs.

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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. Children are happy and settled. They enjoy a warm and very caring relationship with the childminder, who offers lots of encouragement and praise, raising the children's levels of self-esteem and confidence. Younger children's understanding of shape, colour and number is promoted daily through the effective interaction of the childminder. For example, children count out how many apples they have bought and are encouraged to name the colours of their clothes as well as the shapes of resources. Weekly visits to the local playgroup and childminding support group further promote children's learning. Children participate in a wide range of craft activities which develop their creativity and coordination skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show good involvement, interest and enjoyment in all that they do. They are provided with a wide range of resources and equipment to encourage their interest and participation. These include small world figures, books, the use of a computer and finger puppets. Children are developing a clear understanding of right and wrong through reinforcement and simple discussion which is appropriate to the age and level of understanding of the child concerned. Parents are encouraged to share information and receive verbal feedback on how their child has spent their day. This ensures children's individual needs are well promoted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are included fully in the setting. They are respected and their personalities well known to the childminder. Children are warmly welcomed and regardless of gender have access to the full range of activities and resources. They benefit from the childminder’s very good awareness of how to promote equality of opportunity as well as her understanding of the individual needs of the children in her care. Children's understanding of diversity and the wider world is well promoted through constant interaction with children from other cultures as well as sensitive discussion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Regular visits to the local playgroup help younger children to socialise and become adept in taking turns and sharing. Children benefit from the childminder's well-informed understanding of behaviour management. They are well behaved and encouraged to be kind, considerate and polite, and to be aware of their needs and those of others. Although the childminder has little experience of caring for a child with learning difficulties or disabilities, she demonstrates a good understanding of the importance of working closely with parents of such children to ensure their individual needs are well met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very good working relationship with parents which contributes significantly to children's well-being. Parents are made fully aware of the service the childminder offers through access to a parent information portfolio which includes a set of the childminder's policies and procedures. However, the complaints procedure does not include the timescale for resolving complaints. Parents receive daily feedback about their child's progress and are encouraged to share information.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has created a safe, welcoming, child friendly environment in which children are well settled and benefit from regular routines with regard to their individual needs. Children's

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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 learning is promoted through the very good use of resources, space and the childminder's time. The effective implementation of well written policies and procedures ensures the provision runs smoothly and efficiently and contributes well to children's safety, welfare and learning. Children are competently supervised at all times to ensure they are safeguarded from harm.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to furthering her knowledge and understanding of early years issues through professional training. She has attended numerous courses, which have included equality of opportunity, child protection, health and safety and behaviour management. This has a positive impact on the care and education offered. Children's individual needs are met effectively and efficiently through the very caring attitude of the childminder as well as a strong working partnership with parents. Individual records of children are shared with their parents.

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Organisation

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 a recommendation was made to improve children's safety by practising and recording the fire evacuation procedure.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has taken positive steps to improve children’s safety through ensuring fire evacuation procedures are carried out on a regular basis and recorded to identify and minimise any concerns.

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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

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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