Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY290483 Unique Reference Number 26 February 2008 Inspection date Rasmik Parmar 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 July 2004. She lives with her husband and two young children in a home in Horbury Bridge near Wakefield.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The home is close to local amenities such as schools, parks and pre five groups these are accessed by the childminder on a regular basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The areas of the home used for childminding purposes are the kitchen-dining room, lounge and toilet facilities, these are situated on the ground floor. The rear garden is used as the outdoor play space, it is fully enclosed and consists of paved and grassed areas. The family have a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children. She currently has six children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder 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 good. Children are helped to stay healthy to a good standard as the childminder follows daily routines to ensure that children understand the need for good personal hygiene. For example, children wash their hands with liquid anti-bacterial soap in the downstairs toilet, drying their hands with paper towels. Also, children use individual cloth flannels to wipe their mouths after eating. Such procedures effectively minimise the risk of cross infection. The welfare and safety of the children is promoted by an effective policy on administering medication and the parents being aware of communicable diseases through the sickness policy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy varied and nutritious foods and snacks in order to help them to grow and develop good eating habits. Some children bring their own packed lunch so that parents are aware of what their child is eating. The childminder provides healthy sandwiches with a variety of fillings and snacks including raw vegetables, fruit, yogurts and dried fruits. Children are gaining knowledge and understanding of how food keeps them healthy through focused, topic-based activities. However, they are not learning how to make the connection between where food comes from and how it is prepared by participating in a range of cooking activities or planting their own vegetables. The childminder is sensitive in ensuring children are suitably given plenty of fluids to drink throughout the day. Older children have independent access to a drinks dispenser on the kitchen worktop and younger children have access to water bottles, which

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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 warm, caring and child-centred environment. There is plenty of space for the children to play in a safe environment. The lounge is well set out for childminding and has a good range of toys and equipment suitable for the needs of the children. They are able to explore and play with a varied selection of activities which are easily accessible to them, enabling them to expand their interests in many areas of play for all-round development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a health and safety policy and has carried out a risk assessment for potential hazards within the house for the safety of children under her care. To promote an awareness of fire safety, she has a written fire evacuation procedure and monthly fire drills are carried out in order to familiarise children with the routine. An effective system is in place to ensure the continued safety of children on outings as the childminder obtains prior permission from the parents. She has access to appropriate booster seats for children when using her car. To further promote safety, the childminder constantly teaches children about road safety during outings as part of their ongoing learning experience.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded to a good standard as the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of her role in protecting children. She is aware of possible signs of abuse or neglect and the procedures to follow should any concerns arise. She has up to date information on safeguarding children. The childminder has recently attended a course on child protection to further her knowledge for the overall welfare of children under her care.

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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, settled and confident in an environment where they are able to develop their confidence and independence. The childminder has a basic plan of activities, which is adapted in order to meet the varying interests of children. Children are offered a balanced variety of activities according to their age.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop a variety of skills by playing with arts and crafts materials, home corner, watching children's video tapes, reading and imaginative play. Children enjoy physical play by being taken out to the local parks, toddler groups and activity centres. The rear garden is also used for physical play activities with a good selection of resources. Hence, children are able to develop confidence, channel their energies in a positive direction and develop their physical skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder maintains children's progress files for each child and incorporates the 'Birth to three matters' framework to plan and assess activities for younger children to record their achievements, activities and photographs as evidence. This is shared with parents as part of the daily feedback provided, necessary for the benefit of children under her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals as the childminder uses information from parents to meet the specific needs of the child. Equality of opportunity is promoted as all children are able to play with the full selection of activities without discrimination. In addition, the good selection of resources which portray culture and learning difficulties or disabilities promote an understanding about the differences and similarities between people. The childminder celebrates festivals of the wider community to promote children's understanding of customs and beliefs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good understanding of learning difficulties and disabilities and has recently been approved by the local authority to care for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. Furthermore, she has done a course on 'Makaton' to enable her to communicate effectively with children as necessary.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are constantly praised for good behaviour, which helps to boost their confidence. Plenty of age-appropriate and stimulating play opportunities throughout the day help to channel children’s energies in a positive direction. In addition, older children are involved in developing their own 'house rules' as part of enabling them to learn how to manage their own behaviour with peers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from positive relationships between their parents and the childminder as this promotes good communication and trust. Appropriate consents are maintained to promote the safety and welfare of children. All parents are invited to read the policies and procedures, which are kept in a folder by the childminder, to ensure that they are happy with arrangements and in agreement with her practice. In addition, a complaints procedure is displayed together with the certificate of registration. The childminder shares information with parents verbally at the end of each day, and written information is provided for younger children, to ensure continuity of care.

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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. Children are able to move around freely and independently through the creative organisation of space and resources within the childminding home. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to her own personal development and she has attended training courses to enhance her childcare practice.

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Organisation

Good routines are established to ensure that children are secure and the childminder effectively organises her time to ensure that children take part in a wide variety of experiences including activities outside of the home.

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Organisation

Documentation is well organised, maintained and kept up to date. This supports the efficient and safe management of the provision and promotes the welfare, care and learning of children.

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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 childminder was recommended to continue to develop the resources that reflect positive images and diversity; ensure that an appropriate first aid course in completed and an appropriately stocked first aid box is available and improve the information that parents receive relating to the compliments and complaints procedure and the contact details of the regulator.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has improved the resources to reflect positive images and diversity as part of promoting equality of opportunity. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and a first aid box for the welfare of children under her care. She now has an up to date complaints procedure with details of the regulator as part of working in partnership with parents.

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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. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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):

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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 • improve knowledge of healthy eating by making connections between where food comes from and how it is prepared.

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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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