Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY277419 Unique Reference Number 27 February 2008 Inspection date Helen Blackburn 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 2004. She lives with her husband in the Grange Moor area, close to Wakefield and Huddersfield. There are schools, shops, parks and access to public transport in the local area. The whole ground floor and first floor bathroom of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently minding two children, who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools and nursery to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She attends the local carer and toddler group and 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 environment for children is clean. The childminder carries out appropriate hygiene procedures to ensure she maintains this for children. For example, she has daily cleaning routines that contribute to controlling the risk of spreading infection. Through practical routines, the children are learning about the importance of personal hygiene. They know to wash their hands at appropriate times throughout the day and they talk about needing to do this because they could have germs on their hands. The childminder has adequate measures in place to manage illness within the home to protect children’s health. She discusses with parents that ill children should remain at home to minimise cross-infection. She maintains adequate information regarding any medicines she administers to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have sufficient opportunities to be active, which supports their physical development and encourages them to lead a healthy lifestyle. The children enjoy playing in the garden, going on walks and visiting local parks. They play with an appropriate range of resources that support their physical development, such as bikes, bats and balls.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder understands the importance of promoting healthy eating to help children’s healthy growth and development. She provides children with a varied and nutritious diet. For example, the children enjoy eating home-cooked meals, such as casseroles, chilli and corned beef hash. They eat a varied range of fruit and vegetables and like to try unfamiliar foods, such as green peppers. Mealtimes for children are relaxing; they sit together at the table and socialise with their peers and the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in an environment that is safe and secure. There are adequate safety precautions in place to contribute to this and to minimise accidents for children. For example, the childminder supervises children and ensures all dangerous items are inaccessible to them. The children are developing some awareness of how they can keep themselves safe. They talk about road safety on outings and the childminder explains what they need to do if the smoke alarm sounds.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children access a sufficient range of resources that are safe and maintained in appropriate condition. The childminder regularly checks her toys and equipment to ensure they remain safe for children’s use. The children have appropriate opportunities to make their own choices in play. For example, they access a selection of toys stored in the kitchen and confidently ask for items not readily accessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues, which contributes to her protecting children from harm. She is aware of her responsibilities in safeguarding children, for example, she knows to monitor and record any concerns. She has access to relevant information regarding the Local Safeguarding Children Board so that she follows appropriate procedures when dealing with any concerns. This contributes to her safeguarding children’s welfare.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder is friendly and this provides a welcoming and relaxing environment for children. This contributes to children being happy and settled in the childminder’s care. The childminder knows the children well and because of this she appropriately meets their needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has sound relationships with the children. She involves herself in children’s play and appropriately interacts with them. Through spending time with the children she supports and encourages their development. For example, she asks children questions to help them use their initiative and through simple, fun board games children learn their colours and numbers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children access a sufficient range of resources that cover all their developmental needs. For example, books, role play, construction, baking, creative activities and games. The children are enthusiastic and enjoy what they do. For example, children have fun decorating their biscuits, they laugh as they enjoy playing a board game and they become excited when playing outdoors. In addition to home-based activities, the children enjoy trips to parks and other places of interest. The childminder plans play around the children’s requests and choices, for example, when children ask to make cards she supports them in this play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children behave appropriately for their ages and stages of development. They have positive relationships with each other and they play well together. Through play, they learn about sharing and taking turns, for example, during board games. The childminder has sufficient boundaries in place so that children know what is expected of them and so that they learn about right and wrong. For example, she appropriately explains why certain behaviour is unacceptable and praises children for behaving well. The children respond well to the praise and this raises their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are developing an awareness of diversity and the world in which they live. The children access some resources that provide positive images of others, such as books. The childminder continues to extend these resources so that children become aware of all aspects of diversity. In addition, the children learn about others through celebrating some festivals, such as Chinese New Year. These activities and resources help children to develop a respect for others and promotes a positive self-image.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has sound relationships with the parents. They work sufficiently well together to promote children’s welfare and care. Through discussion they share and exchange information, which contributes to meeting children’s needs. The childminder provides a flexible service and supports parents by caring for children at short notice and in emergency situations.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder utilises her home and space appropriately to promote the welfare of children. She utilises each area of her home for different purposes, for example, she uses the living room for sleep and quieter activities. She organises a selection of resources in her kitchen so that children can make independent choices in their play. Through organising her time she

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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 appropriately meets children’s individual needs. For example, she plans into her day collecting children from school and playgroup.

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Organisation

The childminder understands that training can help to develop her service and outcomes for children. However, she finds attending training difficult due to the timings of courses. Therefore, she keeps up to date through sharing information with other registered provisions in the area.

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Organisation

The childminder has some understanding that she needs sufficient documentation to contribute to the safe management of the setting and to promote children’s welfare. She has some records in place for some children, such as children’s record details, although this is not consistent. Therefore, records are lacking for some children, which include their attendance details and written consents. This is a breach in regulations and compromises some children’s safety and care as insufficient information is obtained for them. In addition, some records are not available for inspection, which is also a breach in regulations, such as public liability insurance and the childminder’s first aid certificate. The documents the childminder keeps are kept in appropriate files so that confidentiality is maintained. 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 last inspection, the provider agreed to improve safety within the home, extend resources that promote diversity and develop some documentation. Through purchasing a fire blanket and making the garden gate secure the childminder provides a safe environment for children to play. Following the last inspection the childminder obtained parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment so that she could act appropriately in a medical emergency. However, she has failed to obtain this for the current children in her care and, therefore, this has been made an action at this inspection. Through purchasing some resources, such as books and celebrating some cultural and religious festivals the children are learning about diversity. The childminder recognises these resources still need extending to cover all aspects of diversity.

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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:

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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 • ensure written consent is obtained from parents for all children to seek emergency medical treatment or advice • ensure all documentation is available for inspection • ensure relevant information is obtained for all children, including details of their attendance. 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

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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