Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY285312 Unique Reference Number 18 January 2008 Inspection date Paula Fretwell 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 2004. She lives with her husband, six year old daughter and adult son in Featherstone, near Pontefract. Both the childminder and her husband are registered to care for children and they have 23 children on roll altogether, who attend on a part-time variable basis. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and children have access to their own bathroom. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to and from the local school.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. There are very good procedures and facilities in place to support children's health and prevent the spread of infection. For example, they have their own wash room which they independently access and they use anti-bacterial soap and individually named towels. Children learn how to develop good personal hygiene through gentle reminders and simple signs illustrating 'flush

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 the toilet' and 'wash your hands'. Children's privacy is safeguarded when nappy changing, the childminder uses disposable gloves and nappies are promptly disposed of in a sealed nappy bin. Prompt attention is given to wiping children's noses and hand washing is given high priority, for both children and adults. The childminder is aware of issues affecting children's health and she is proactive in taking steps to ensure they stay well. For example, she has considered the current winter vomiting virus and has prepared a risk assessment to show how she will prevent infection or contain it should it occur. Minor accidents to children and medication are recorded appropriately and parents are kept informed of the details.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy, varied range of food and drinks. The childminder enables older children to contribute to their own healthy choices by giving them menus the day before to choose from for the following day's meals. Children enjoy plenty of fresh fruit and they sit down together to eat it and talk about their favourite things. They enjoy a selection of bananas, melon and grapes and the childminder ensures they can have more of what they like. Children know their own cups and they can reach their drinks so they are not thirsty. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children are suitably nourished and she is aware of children's individual preferences and needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy plenty of fresh air and the childminder is aware of their physical development needs. They enjoy walks to local areas and the childminder offers plenty of indoor and outdoor opportunities for them to practise their skills. Younger children enjoy using age-appropriate sit and ride toys and the childminder ensures there is plenty of clear floor space for them to use these effectively.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept very safe and there are good levels of supervision because two childminders work together to ensure they are with the children at all times. The childminder is aware of any hazards and she takes positive measures to prevent any accidents to children. Written risk assessments are in place for most perceived hazards in and around the home. Children freely choose to use a very good range of toys and resources, all of which are of good quality and regularly checked for safety. Children use the large trampoline outdoors, which has a safety enclosure, although there is no risk assessment to illustrate how this is used safely or parental consent in place for its use. Children learn how to keep themselves safe through gentle reminders, such as sitting properly on chairs and not running indoors. They regularly practise emergency evacuations and the childminder discusses these with children at a level they can

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder knows the signs of possible abuse and she is very clear of the procedure to follow in the event of a concern or allegation. Contact numbers with which to report any concerns are easily accessible to the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy, confident and at home in the childminder's care. There are warm and trusting relationships which enable children to feel secure and the childminder fully involves children in making decisions that affect them, such as whether they need a sleep and what they would like to do.

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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 Children enjoy an excellent range of activities which are very well planned and suitable for their development and interests. The childminder clearly understands how children learn through play and her skilful interaction with them enhances their learning. Children enthusiastically join in with art and craft activities and the childminder explains what they need to do, providing plentiful resources to enable them to explore and experiment. For example, children made handprint pictures with glitter and they giggled as they painted their hands. The childminder maximises opportunities for children's learning in everyday ways, such as for counting, language and colour recognition. Very young children are given plenty of one to one attention as they need it and the childminder responds promptly to meet their needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children thoroughly enjoy story time as they sit comfortably with the childminder and participate with story puppets. The childminder ensures all children are included fairly in group activities, enabling quieter children to be equally involved. Children also enjoy individual time with adults to look at books and they spontaneously reverse onto the childminder's knee for her to read with them. Their developing language is enhanced through plenty of conversation and chatter. The childminder is very aware of the children's different interests and personalities and she ensures they are all purposefully engaged in play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are valued and respected and the childminder treats each child with equal concern, having regard for their individual needs. Children contribute well to their own care and learning and the childminder is very sensitive to their needs. For example, children's imaginary friends are included in all activities at their request and the childminder understands that this is an important part of their creative development, making room for them at the table if necessary. Children are helped to learn about the needs of others through sensitive discussion and activities. They learn about other cultures and take part in activities, such as special art and craft and food-tasting, such as for Chinese New Year. Toys and books enable children to learn about the world around them and these are freely accessible. The childminder is very aware that all children have different abilities and she works closely with parents to ensure their individual needs are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well in response to realistic expectations from the childminder. The childminder and her co-childminder are both consistent in their approach to managing children's behaviour and they are very positive in their tone of voice, language and praise for children. Children enjoy being told 'well done' or 'that's fantastic' and they respond with happy smiles. Children are secure and they understand the boundaries that are in place for their safety and well-being. All children use their manners very well and are encouraged to do so from the earliest age.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is positive and the childminder fully supports them in their role, offering guidance and flexibility wherever necessary to meet the needs of their children. Parents are happy with the level of service they receive and they give compliments about the childminder's care for their children. Information is regularly exchanged in daily conversation about the children and the childminder works alongside the parents to ensure they are well cared for. Children's progress is recorded in lovely profiles, with special photographs and observations of their experiences with the childminder, although these are not yet shared with parents.

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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 setting is well organised, child-centred and has a happy atmosphere for children. The childminder works alongside her husband, who is also a registered childminder, which means children benefit from having two adults to share their care. Activities are organised between the childminders to enable different ages of children to enjoy suitable challenges appropriate for their development. For example, the childminder organises creative activities with a group of older children, whilst her husband ensures very young children are suitably occupied or vice versa.

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Organisation

All required documentation which supports the practice is in place and filed securely and the childminder ensures any relevant details are up to date and organised very well. Effective organisation of space ensures children are well cared for. They enjoy a wide range of activities in the playroom and they settle down for quieter activities, such as reading books or watching television in the lounge. Qualification and registration certificates are displayed for parents to see and toys and resources are stored so that children can select what they need for play.

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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 it was recommended that the childminder improve activities and resources which promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. This has been addressed and toys, resources and activities are in place which promote equal opportunities well. The childminder was also asked to review the child protection policy to include procedures if allegations were made against herself or others. This has been reviewed and supports the childminder's knowledge of how to safeguard children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there has been one complaint made to Ofsted that required Ofsted to take action in order to meet the National Standards. This was in relation to National Standard 2: Organisation. The complaint related to adult to child ratios. Ofsted raised three actions in relation to National Standards 2 and 14. Ofsted is satisfied that the provider remains qualified for registration.

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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): • ensure children's safety in relation to the trampoline • devise ways in which to share the records of children's development with their parents.

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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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