Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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321944 Unique Reference Number 24 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 May 1994. She lives with her family in Wakefield within walking distance of local amenities. The whole of the ground floor, as well as a room on the first floor, is used for minding and there is an enclosed area for outdoor play.

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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 six children who attend on a part-time basis only. She takes and collects children from school and takes them to the local park and places of interest. The childminder attends a weekly playgroup.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association as well as a local childminding support group.

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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 well cared for in an exceptionally clean and comfortable environment. Health and hygiene is given a high priority and the childminder is very pro-active in promoting and maintaining a clean and hygienic setting within the daily routine. For example, children are provided with colour-coded towels as well as antibacterial soap. The childminder ensures that surfaces are sprayed with an antibacterial solution before and after meals to prevent the spread of infection. Younger children are encouraged to wash their hands with 'magic soap' to wash away the germs to prevent them from catching any tummy bugs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are kept free from infection through the understanding of parents not to bring children who are unwell. They are kept healthy through the provision of a variety of nutritious snacks, such as vegetable nibbles, fresh fruit and raisins. Fresh drinking water is readily available and children's awareness of the benefits of healthy eating is well promoted through discussion and simple explanation. For instance, children are learning that drinking milk and eating lots of fruit will help them to grow and give them strong bones. Children are provided with daily exercise as well as periods for rest and relaxation.

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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 safe and very secure environment. The childminder has attended a safety workshop and has a very good awareness of her role in keeping children safe. She ensures there are safety measures in place to avoid potential hazards and raise children's awareness of how to avoid accidental injury. For example, doors are securely fastened with keys accessible, all electric sockets are covered and children are only released into the care of persons known to the childminder. 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 during a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a very good range of toys and equipment which are safe, suitable and appropriate to their needs. Space and resources are well organised to allow children to access them with safety and independence. Toys and equipment are checked on a regular basis to ensure they are safe for children to play with. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to safeguard and promote children’s safety and welfare. 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.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, confident learners who benefit from the childminder's constant interaction and ability to develop their learning through everyday routines. For instance, the childminder introduces new words through encouraging children to point out and name everyday appliances, such as a clock, microwave and cooker. When playing, children are questioned about colour and shape; colourful posters further develop their knowledge and understanding of numbers and letters. Children are provided with a very good range of toys and activities which help to keep them focused and interested in their play, as well as supporting their personal development.

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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 However, babies and younger children are offered a limited range of materials and opportunities to promote their natural curiosity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Weekly attendance at a local playgroup promotes children's social skills and understanding of taking turns and sharing which is further reinforced by the childminder. Children are taken to Tropical World and other places of interest, such as museums and small animal parks. They benefit from the calm and caring manner of the childminder. She uses lots of praise and encouragement which promotes children's confidence and self-esteem. Children's awareness of right and wrong is developed through simple explanation appropriate to their age and stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are warmly welcomed and, regardless of gender, have access to the full range of activities and resources. Younger children follow a daily routine that is discussed and agreed with parents. Children exhibit a very good level of engagement and are helped to understand each other's similarities and differences. The provision of a very good range of resources including books, posters and cultural figures reflecting diversity, encourage children to learn about the wider community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses an innovative way to talk to older children about the death of a grandparent. For instance, she explains that once you are born you are unable to return to your mummy's tummy and when someone dies they too are unable to return. Children are well behaved and encouraged to be kind, considerate and polite. They benefit from the very positive attitude of the childminder as well as her warm and caring manner.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has experience of caring for a child with a learning difficulty and demonstrates a very good understanding of the importance of working closely with parents of such children to ensure their individual needs are well met. The childminder has a very effective working relationship with parents which is reflected in the support of parents as well as their positive comments. A set of all policies and procedures used to underpin the provision is given to parents who also receive verbal feedback about their child's progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are encouraged to feel at home and benefit from a well organised and managed setting. A range of well written policies and procedures ensure the provision runs smoothly and contributes well to children's safety, welfare and learning. Children's individual characteristics are well known to the childminder and she uses her knowledge to ensure their needs are effectively met. Children are competently supervised at all times to ensure they are kept safe.

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Organisation

The childminder has a very good understanding and awareness of her role and responsibilities in developing children's learning. She ensures children are given undivided attention and receive quality time as well as actively involving herself in their learning. Lots of support, encouragement and praise help children to become self-assured and confident.

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Organisation

The childminder has developed her personal knowledge and understanding through attending a range of courses, including introducing songs and games, making story sacks and providing

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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 for children's well-being. This has a significant, positive impact on the care and learning offered. Children's individual records are regularly shared with 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 the following recommendations were made to improve children's safety, welfare and learning. These were to develop knowledge and understanding of the local area child protection procedures, to practise fire drills and obtain signed acknowledgement of any agreed medication given to children. A further recommendation was to extend the range of toys and resources that promote equality of opportunity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has taken very positive steps and has implemented all of the above recommendations, thus improving children's safety, welfare 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.

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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 opportunities and introduce a wider range of materials to develop the natural curiosity of babies and younger 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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