Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY355587 Unique Reference Number 29 November 2007 Inspection date Linda Cook 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 lives in the Tanghall area of York with her partner and their two children aged seven and two years. She is registered to care for four children under eight years and is currently minding three children under eight years part time. Two additional children are cared for after school who are over eight years of age. The childminder uses all of the ground floor of the property which consists of a sitting room/dining room, kitchen and toilet facilities. There is an enclosed garden to the rear of the property which children access for outdoor play. The family have tropical fish and gold fish. The property is located near local primary schools, parks, library and shops. The childminder takes children to the local toddler group and local library and she is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have a wealth of opportunities to promote their physical skills. They enjoy very regular walks out to local play parks, to and from school and to places of interest. At the park they develop their climbing skills on the fixed play equipment and enjoy feeding the ducks. They

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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 use the back garden to enjoy the fresh air, manoeuvre wheeled toys, play in the sand pit and on the range of outdoor equipment. Indoors they enjoy music and complete action rhymes both at the childminder's home and on their weekly visits to local parent and toddler group. The childminder ensures babies have a clear space where they can crawl and learn to walk pulling themselves up on the furniture.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about the importance of good personal hygiene through the daily routines. They wash their hands after visiting the toilet and before meals, however they do not consistently wash their hands before snacks which does not fully protect their good health. Children are safeguarded from cross infection because the childminder has a sound knowledge of how to prevent the spread of infection. She provides liquid soap and individual means of children drying their hands and faces, she wears disposable gloves when changing nappies and has a clear written sick child policy which parents are made aware of. Children's good health is further protected because the childminder maintains a current first aid certificate and has a food hygiene certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure the children's individual dietary requirements are catered for. The children learn about healthy eating as they are offered varied and nutritious snacks, meals and regular drinks. The children enjoy the home cooked meals using fresh ingredients and are encouraged to try all that is provided which develops their understanding of a balanced diet and encourages them to make healthy choices.

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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 warm, welcoming environment. The childminder is positive in her approach to ensure all reasonable safety measures are taken to prevent accidents, including completing regular risk assessments. Children learn how to keep themselves safe both indoors and outdoors. They are taught how to cross roads safely when they are on outings and the childminder uses reins when walking with young children. There is a clear procedure for dealing with emergencies and children practise emergency evacuations on a regular basis ensuring they are aware of what to do in case of fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children independently select from a good range of toys and resources made available to them for self selection. They are all clean, well maintained and cover all areas of learning. The childminder ensures they are stored appropriately to develop children's independence while ensuring very young children cannot access unsuitable games and toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm through the childminder's good knowledge of child protection procedures. She keeps appropriate information on file including local contact numbers and has attended child protection training. She ensures parents are aware of duty to protect the children in her care through a clear written child protection policy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's house due to her friendly and welcoming approach. They are happy, relaxed and confident in the regular routines. They learn to become increasingly independent as a result of the consistent support, praise and encouragement provided by the childminder. For example, very young children are encouraged to choose resources and activities

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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 which are readily available to them at their level. Older children confidently express their needs, deciding what they would like to do and what to play with.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Very positive relationships are developed between the children and the childminder which contributes to their sense of belonging. The childminder demonstrates that she is skilful in meeting the varying needs of all the children she cares for and has a written inclusion policy. She has a good understanding of child development and how children learn. She adapts activities and resources to ensure all children are able to enjoy and take part regardless of their age and stage of development. Children benefit from the positive interaction as the childminder is actively involved in their play. Trips to places of interest such as the library and the museum gardens further extends the children's opportunities to broaden their knowledge, explore and investigate. They are provided with regular opportunities to mix with their peers each week when they attend gym club, toddler group and visit other childminders.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a wide range of activities both planned and child led; which offer sufficient challenge are interesting and fun. However, while there is a wide range of toys and resources available to the children which support their learning, very young children do not have access to a range of non-specific play materials and natural resources, which limits their opportunities to explore texture and form. The childminder recognises the informal learning opportunities that are present in a childminding setting. They talk about the things they see when they are out, monitor seasonal changes, count everyday objects and identify colours. As a result children are interested, motivated and their all round development promoted. School age children freely choose what they want to do and can be active or rest according to their needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are made to feel welcome and at home. The childminder ensures she is aware of their individual needs and routines, through discussions with parents, to enable her to provide appropriate care. Children are beginning to learn about their local community and the wider world through their trips out, planned activities and resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are generally well behaved and the childminder sensitively intervenes when disputes over toys and resources erupt. She encourages the children to learn to share and take turns and to be considerate to each other. The effective use of praise and encouragement ensures children feel relaxed, happy and develop positive self-esteem. She ensures parents are fully aware of her positive approach to behaviour management through her detailed and clear behaviour management policy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationships developed and maintained with parents. The childminder ensures written policies and procedures are shared with parents and they receive written information about the service she provides all of which are included in a welcome pack which parents keep for their future reference. Contracts are used and a system is in place for these to be regularly reviewed. Parents are kept fully informed of their child's achievements; they receive daily feedback at delivery and collection and a daily diary is completed for each child. There is a notice board in the kitchen where information is displayed for parents including, registration certificate, insurance details, Ofsted poster and first aid certificate.

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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 organises her time very effectively to meet the needs of the individual children she cares for. The available space and resources are very well organised to promote easy access and children's independence. She is very aware of the younger children's individual routines and these are effectively accommodated to ensure consistency of care. She has a positive approach to her own development and the inspection process. She is a qualified child carer and continues to attend regular training to ensure she keeps up to date with new developments and to maintain the quality of care she provides.

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Organisation

All requirements of the National Standards for documentation and record keeping are met effectively. Comprehensive and clear written policies and procedures are in place and a copy given to parents. Documentation is very well organised to ensure it can be accessed easily in an emergency, while maintaining confidentiality. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 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): • improve hygiene routines to ensure children consistently wash their hands before eating • extend the learning opportunities for very young children, in particular, to explore texture and form through the provision of natural resources.

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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 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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