Childminder in Calderdale

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 303583 Inspection date 18 May 2005 Inspector Sandra Gurr

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1990. She sometimes works with an assistant who is her daughter. She lives with her husband in a mid-terraced house in a village in Halifax. She currently has 13 children on roll including eight children under 8 years. Most children attend on a part-time basis. There are local shops, schools, preschool, support group, library and a park within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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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 The childminder has a Childcare qualification from the Pre-school learning Alliance and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She has undertaken Children Come First accreditation from Calderdale Council.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children enjoy a very wide range of activities both inside and outside the home, which contributes to their good health and develops their physical skills. Younger children enjoy regular visits to the local toddler group and childminder support group, soft play centres and the local park. Young babies improve their sitting and grasping skills through enthusiastic support and encouragement from the childminder. Older children play in the large garden areas using a variety of equipment to improve their hand/eye co-ordination and large movement skills. They enjoy disco dancing inside the home. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where all children learn about personal care such as washing hands after using the toilet and before meals. Good procedures such as wiping the changing mat after use ensures that high levels of hygiene are maintained. Children benefit from a healthy diet, particularly in the provision of nutritious snacks

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Helping children to be healthy

during the day. They learn about which foods are healthy. Drinks are available on a self selection basis throughout the day which ensures that children have plenty of liquids. Children bring their own packed meals which are appropriately stored to ensure good food hygiene practices are maintained.

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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 welcoming home where they enjoy very good space to play and learn. They are able to move around safely between the two rooms downstairs and younger children are supervised to the toilet upstairs to ensure their safety. The garden areas are spacious, safely maintained and supervised to ensure children's well being. The childminder helps the older children to stay safe on the way home from school by using the Green Cross Code as they cross the road. Younger children's safety is well addressed outside the home as they travel in a pram or walk holding hands. Clear attention to car safety including appropriate seating and comprehensive business insurance ensures that all children travel safely in a vehicle. The childminder has all the required procedures, documents and parental agreements in place to ensure that she safeguards and promotes children's welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

For example, she has a very good understanding of child protection and the need to keep accurate records. She has attended training within the last 18 months to keep her knowledge updated. Regular fire drills and a clear emergency plan contributes to children's safety.

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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 All equipment in the house is well cared for and of good quality. Children have safe and independent access to toys at their level and particular care is taken with smaller pieces of equipment to ensure the safety of very young children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder provides an interesting and balanced routine for the children. She plans her activities for most age groups and links them to a theme often related to seasons or festivals. This ensures that children enjoy a wide variety of creative experiences and learn about a range of topics. She ensures that there are appropriate activities for both school aged children and children under five. All children in her care benefit from the well planned and one to one attention given to them by the childminder. She knows the children well and this means that she can cater for their individual needs and interests. She encourages conversations so that children develop their language and can talk to one another about what they are doing. Some good age appropriate resources are made available to all the children to promote their independence and learning. The children particularly enjoy creative

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities and playing outside and show enthusiasm and interest in what they are doing. All children play very well together and older school aged children help and encourage the younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are valued and respected as individuals and their needs are met very well. The childminder promotes an inclusive service which welcomes all children parents and carers and ensure that children are comfortable and happy in her home. They become very aware of the wider world through regular visits within the local community to parks, toddler groups and through the celebration and understanding of a range of seasonal and festive events. Strategies to manage children's behaviour are consistent and well documented. They take into account children's age and stage of development. For example, children are given explanations about why they should behave well towards each other. Younger children are beginning to accept the clear and realistic boundaries set for them such as taking turns in a game. This effectively promotes their welfare and development. The childminder has a good relationship with parents to meet the needs of the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children. She has an open door policy and gives good verbal information about the children on a regular basis. A folder of work for older children and daily information book about younger children keeps parents informed about what their children are doing. Children benefit from this good relationship and continuity of care between home and childminder. They enjoy coming to the childminder and settle well.

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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 well organised environment allows children to feel comfortable and at home. The childminder has a high regard for the children in her care and attends regular training to update her knowledge. She knows the children well and organises the day to follow their individual routines. This means that children are well supervised and supported. All the required documentation is in place to promote the welfare of the children. These are shared with parents to keep them informed about the service and their child's progress. Plans for children's activities and development are monitored and adapted to keep children safe and enable them to make good progress. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to address some safety issues relating to the upstairs bathroom, children sleeping and the supervision of the outside play provision. These have now been well attended to ensuring that children's safety is very well provided for in the home.

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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): • continue to develop planning, with particular reference to children under 3 years.

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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 procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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