Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY285308 Unique Reference Number 12 October 2007 Inspection date Annette Stanger 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband, who is also a registered childminder from the same premises, and two children aged three and eight years of age. The premises is situated in the Illingworth area of Halifax. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, with toilet facilities located upstairs. There are gardens to the front and rear of the property available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding four children between various times of the day. When the childminder and her husband are both working together they are registered to care for a maximum of 10 children at any one time. The family has a cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The childminder is highly successful in promoting all aspects of children’s health by taking a range of positive actions. High priority is given to maintaining effective hygiene practice with

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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 utmost attention paid to ensuring the hygienic change of nappies and all precautions being taken to avoid cross-contamination. The childminder ensures that all individual care items are only used for that named child and these are stored separately and clearly labelled to avoid any confusion. There are also effective procedures in place which ensure toys are safe and hygienic for babies to put in their mouths. Children develop excellent skills for good hygiene practice because they independently manage their own hygiene as part of their daily routine. For example, children explain to the inspector they need to wash their hands before meals to get rid of any germs and make their hands clean. Children's daily health and well-being is managed to high levels. The childminder is proactive in her approach and ensures she has the

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Helping children to be healthy

latest guidance on managing infection. The childminder has sought additional guidance documents from the Health Protection agency and these are followed in practice to ensure high standards are achieved regarding all aspects of children’s health. Using this information as a guide the childminder has devised a sick child procedure so that parents gain a good awareness of when children can and cannot attend. This minimises the spread of illness. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and medication procedures are well maintained and shared with parents, so that children's daily well-being is managed effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

An excellent variety of healthy balanced meals and snacks are provided for the children. Children are encouraged to eat at their own pace and mealtimes are relaxed, enjoyable social occasions. For example, children talk to the childminder about the different vegetables they can find in the casserole and vegetables from the harvest festival at school. The childminder works towards the five portions of fruit and vegetables a day principle to encourage healthy eating habits. Menus are carefully planned and are shared with parents to keep them well informed about meal choices. All meals are freshly prepared and include fresh fruit and vegetables, such as swede, leeks and apples. Drinking water is always available. Children help themselves from the fridge water dispenser to easily accommodate their thirst, recognising their own needs. Innovative fun projects are planned around healthy living. These ensure the children develop

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Helping children to be healthy

an awareness of the importance of healthy eating. For example, children help to prepare healthy innovative dishes, such as tiger sushi, washing, chopping and peeling cucumber and carrots to make the artistic dish. The childminder works very closely with parents to gain a clear understanding of the children’s dietary requirements and individual routines. The childminder’s committed approach contributes to children’s well-being, healthy growth and development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are extremely well supported by the childminder to develop their physical skills, strength and coordination. They have access to numerous opportunities and older children enjoy playing on the trampoline, developing control of their bodies and experimenting moving in a range of different ways. Their fine physical skills are excellent and they demonstrate these creatively, for instance, in activities where they use their fingers and palms of their hands to paint on the garage door making a large colourful picture. The childminder also makes the very best of the outdoor facilities. Children of all ages regularly experience outdoor play and get plenty of fresh air, for example, during nature walks, at local parks and on outings to various places of interest. Young children take part in regular physical play to support them to grow and develop, make healthy choices and acquire new skills in line with the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework. The

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder takes time to observe, listen and note the children’s development allowing her to effectively support children and assist them in gradually acquiring new skills and increasing their confidence. The childminder knows the children well and is aware of their individual capabilities. She carefully considers the play environment and skilfully positions toys and resources to encourage children to stretch, reach, crawl and be physically active.

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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

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of her role in safeguarding children. She is vigilant and has a good awareness of the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and of the procedures to follow should she have any concerns. There is a clear safeguarding procedure and good systems in place to document any existing injuries to protect children. These measures teamed with the childminder’s committed approach, contribute to keeping children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good safety and security measures are in place to protect children. There are clear procedures to ensure children are collected by authorised people as detailed on the child registration form. The childminder undertakes regular risk assessments taking into account children’s increasing capabilities. All safety equipment is in place and this is ticked off against a safety checklist as part of the daily risk assessment. This ensures that all potential hazards are minimised before the children arrive. Well thought out procedures are followed for outings and these are individually risk assessed to identify possible risks so they can be minimised. A good variety of safe and suitable toys and resources are provided for the children and they make full use of these in their play. Children are able to make informed choices about what they wish to play with as the resources are effectively organised at their level for them to access. These are clean,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

well maintained and are systematically checked for safety. Children are cared for in a very welcoming, well organised and child-centred environment. Their creativity is displayed for them to refer to and this shows the childminder values their contribution, promoting the children’s self-esteem.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is mostly successful in raising children’s awareness of how to keep themselves safe through gentle reminders and explanation. Children have use of a large trampoline; this is used according to the manufacturer's instructions and the childminder has carefully considered the safest place to position it. However, the childminder has not fully risk assessed its usage by discussing safe practice with the children, to ensure they are fully aware of the safety rules. Good precautions are taken for fire safety, with all detection equipment in place. The childminder tests smoke alarms regularly to ensure they are maintained in working order. Regular fire evacuations are undertaken with the children to highlight any problems that may be encountered. They know how to vacate the premises quickly and safely in an emergency and were able to demonstrate this to the inspector as they described what to do.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled and take part in a good range of enjoyable activities. The environment is child-led and the childminder is skilled and sensitive in her approach, only intervening to enhance children’s play experiences. She ensures that she does not interfere unnecessarily in children’s play, but instead supports children’s ideas and allows them to develop these at their own pace. They enjoy self selecting their own resources from the broad range available and this helps to develop their decision making skills. The atmosphere is one of purposeful play and children enjoy using their imaginations in their creativity. At the inspection children decided to do some coin rubbing after finding a 10 pence piece. This idea was developed by the children with the suggestion that they use different coloured crayons for each coin denomination and then cut them out to make their own money. The children also enjoy working

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

together on large scale creative projects, for example, they recall with excitement when they worked together to make a 'tardis' from a large box. Children also use natural materials in their play; they enjoy going on nature walks to collect specific items and have used branches and

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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 leaves to make dream catchers. The childminder raises children’s awareness of how they can recycle different objects and use these to be creative. For example, they recycle photographic printer paper and enjoy holding these to the light to see what was printed. Children also benefit from a range of activities outside of the childminder's home. Good use is made of local parks and children have also been involved in fundraising events.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Good relationships are clearly evident and children are extremely well settled, relaxed and confident in the childminder’s care. The childminder is skilled at listening to children and acknowledging the valuable contribution they make. Activities are discussed with them to ensure they appeal to their individual interests and are meaningful and enjoyable. Children’s individual achievements are valued and recognised by the childminder as she talks to them about their school day and the stickers they have been given. The childminder also entered the children’s artwork into a calendar competition and their drawings were selected to feature in the final published calendar. This approach helps build upon children’s existing good levels of self-esteem, enthusiasm and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder promotes an inclusive provision and all children are positively welcomed and their individual needs catered for. Child registration forms ensure all personal information is obtained from parents to enable good standards of care to be given and ensure children’s individual needs are successfully met. They benefit from activities and resources that help them to consider and value diversity, learning more about the world around them. Resources include books, posters, puzzles and skin coloured felt tips so children can draw accurate self-portraits.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s behaviour is very good in response to the childminder’s positive and consistent approach to behaviour management. She gives meaningful praise and takes time to acknowledge good behaviour and value children’s individual achievements. Children cooperate well and are thoughtful, considerate and well mannered. They show care and concern for one another. For instance, children offer to get others a drink when they are getting one themselves. This positive approach contributes to the children’s good levels of confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership that the childminder has with parents. Parents receive good quality information about the childminder’s policies and procedures. Previous inspection reports are also shared with parents and this ensures they are well informed of all aspects of the service provided. Parents know the procedure if they wish to make a complaint and the childminder has the parents’ poster on display with Ofsted's contact details. However, the current documentation designed for logging complaints is missing some detail, such as which National Standard a complaint relates to. Parents receive daily verbal feedback about their child’s time at the childminder’s, and their progress is illustrated in their observational records, which contain detailed observational notes. This is also complemented by use of a moving digital picture frame where parents are able to view digital photographs of their child’s

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Helping children make a positive contribution

experiences, giving them an insight into their child’s day. This information is shared regularly with parents to keep them well informed. These successful partnerships with parents promote continuity of care and mean that the children settle very well in response, making their experience a positive one.

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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 benefit from being cared for by a childminder with a good grasp of the play work principles and a well organised approach to childminding. She works very well with her co-childminder and between them they are each clear of their individual roles and responsibilities to ensure that children are well cared for.

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Organisation

The home is organised effectively to allow the children to initiate their own play and learning and access a good range of opportunities. This encourages their independence and allows them to self-select experiences that both interest and challenge them.

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Organisation

All of the required documentation is in place; it is well organised and most of it includes a good level of detail, with the exception of the documentation for logging complaints. 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 care inspection the childminder was asked to improve the documentation made available to parents detailing how to make a complaint. A written statement has been produced and is now shared with all parents and includes details of the procedure and Ofsted's contact details. The childminder also clearly displays the parents’ poster with all the relevant contact details. This ensures that parents are familiar with procedures for reporting and shows the childminder is working effectively 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.

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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 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): • extend the current risk assessment for the use of the large trampoline to ensure children know how to use this equipment safely • improve the documentation for logging complaints to ensure it includes all of the different elements.

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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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