Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY229915 Unique Reference Number 09 October 2007 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 February 2003. They live with their family in Walton, on the outskirts of Wakefield, within walking distance of local amenities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The home also includes annexes in which the childminder's parents and grandparents live. The whole of the ground floor is used for minding as well as an enclosed garden for outdoors 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 five children who attend on a part-time basis only.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children with learning difficulties or disabilities are supported. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler 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's health is well promoted through putting into practice clear and effective hygiene procedures. These include regular washing of toys and equipment and by ensuring food surfaces are kept clean and hygienic.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about good hygiene through daily routines and germs are discussed at the child's level of understanding. They wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. They demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of good hygiene, which prevents the spreading of germs which could make them ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

All accident and medication records are in place, maintained accurately and the procedure for noting details is clearly understood.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a healthy and nutritious diet which includes homemade soup, pasta, rice dishes, fresh vegetables and fruit. Drinks are provided with all meals and children know they can request a drink when thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a very good understanding of the benefits of healthy eating. They know eating fruit and vegetables and drinking milk helps them to be healthy and grow strong.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are kept free from infection through parents understanding not to bring children who are ill. However, there is no clear policy in place about the exclusion of children who are suffering from an infectious childhood disease.

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Helping children to be healthy

Regular outdoor play and daily walks to school promotes children's enjoyment of exercise and improves physical development. Children benefit from planned quiet activities which meet their individual needs with regard to rest and relaxation.

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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, secure welcoming environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a comprehensive awareness of their role in keeping children safe. For instance, they take all reasonable steps to ensure children's safety and promote their understanding of how to avoid accidental injury. For example, the childminder explains the reasons for not running in the home are to prevent children from hurting themselves or others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A colourful fire evacuation document with a diagram, promotes children's awareness of how to keep themselves safe during fire evacuation procedures. However, such procedures are not recorded which does not allow for any concerns to be identified and minimised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Activities and resources are well managed and easily accessible, which allows children to choose an activity or toy for themselves with safety and independence. They are provided with a wide range of resources which are safe, suitable and purposeful. These are checked on a regular basis to ensure they are safe to play with.

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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 Children are kept safe on outings. For example, they hold hands when coming home from school follow the green cross code and know to keep listening carefully for cars when crossing the road. Children are kept free from harm through the very good understanding of the childminder with regard to their role in safeguarding children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are independent learners. They settle quickly when arriving from school and work cooperatively together. For example, they set out toys and books and play at being shopkeepers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They benefit from the warm and caring manner of the childminder who uses lots of praise and encouragement. This effectively promotes children's self confidence and self esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show good interest and involvement in what they do. They participate in a range of creative activities, such as collecting and printing leaves and using puppets to act out stories.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are taken on a variety of outings to local parks and local shops. They use public transport to travel further distances. The childminder uses these experiences to develop children's learning by questioning and discussing what they have seen. Younger children are taken to a weekly parent and toddler group to develop their social skills and they learn to take turns and share.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to a broad range of toys and activities which keeps them interested and contributes well to their learning. Their understanding of right and wrong is well promoted through understanding and following the house rules.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder values children as individuals with their own personalities and characteristics. They have a very good understanding of their individual needs and how they can be met. For example, when caring for a child with speech difficulties, the childminder clearly articulates their words and encourages the child to repeat the word after them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved, polite and house rules in place ensure consistent boundaries. Procedures to manage any inappropriate behaviour take account of the children's age and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the effective partnership between their parents and the childminder. Parents receive information about the childminder and their family, as well as how to settle their child when first attending. They are encouraged to visit prior to the child starting, to ensure that the child and the parent feel happy and secure with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder supports parents well with regard to information from school. For example, they photocopy letters sent home with the minded children which are kept in a file for parents to look at, should their child lose theirs. Parents receive verbal as well as written feedback about how their child has spent their day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has created a welcoming, warm and caring environment in which the children feel at home.

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Organisation

They are familiar with their routines and their needs are met competently as the childminder skilfully organises school runs to fit in with daily routines. This ensures children have time to do any homework as well as having plenty of play and learning opportunities.

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Organisation

The effective use of space and resources ensures children's needs are met. All mandatory requirements are in place and include detailed, well written policies and procedures. This ensures the smooth and efficient running of the provision.

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Organisation

Children's needs are met efficiently through the well organised time of the childminder. They are supervised at all times to keep them free from harm.

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Organisation

The partnership with parents is very good, which contributes significantly to children's wellbeing and ensures their individual needs are well met. Records about individual children are 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

Since the last inspection, the following recommendations were made to improve children's safety. To hold an appropriate first aid certificate, to ensure Ofsted are informed of all changes and that persons over the age of 16, undergo criminal records checks.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has taken very positive steps to improve children’s safety. They have obtained an appropriate first aid certificate, Ofsted have been informed of all changes and all persons over 16 years, have undergone criminal records checks.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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): • devise a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or suffering from an infection and discuss with parents • record fire evacuation procedures to ensure any hazards or concerns can be identified and minimised.

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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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