Hall, Allyson

Inspection report for early years provision

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321221 Unique Reference Number 15 November 2007 Inspection date Christine Tipple 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 1992. She lives with her husband and three children, two of whom are teenagers and an 11 year old. They live in Strensall near to York. She uses the whole of the ground floor and a designated bedroom on the first floor for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently 12 children on roll, of whom six are over eight years old and all attend on a part time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from the local primary school. She is close to local facilities in the area. The family has a cat and a rabbit.

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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. The health and hygiene practices in place are effective in enabling children to access the facilities provided independently. The routines are clear for the children to wash their hands before snack and when they come in from school. The younger children have their own changing bags for all their nappy changing needs including wipes for their hands and faces. Information on the care of children when ill is shared verbally and through the details for parents in their contracts. The childminder is aware of the importance of minimising cross infection for all the children attending.

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Helping children to be healthy

The older children walk on a daily basis to and from school and the younger children accompany them, which offer daily outings in the fresh air. Other opportunities for the children to have physical exercise are provided through attending the pre-school and visits to the local park. The garden has a good selection of fixed equipment which offer the children a variety of activities which enhance their physical skills effectively. Space indoors allows the younger children to move around freely in their play and this promotes their confidence in their walking and balancing skills. The resources offered provide the children with appropriate opportunities to manipulate and develop their hand and eye coordination.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily snacks provided and the younger children bring their own packed lunches and some snacks. The children have a good selection of healthy foods which are provided by parents and the childminder, such as strawberries, cucumber and satsumas. There is a large selection of fruit provided for the older children to help themselves to as well as biscuits. The childminder promotes a positive approach to provide a balance with the older children to encourage them to have fruit each day. Drinks are sugar free juices, milk and water, which are accessible through the day. The younger children can reach their cups when they want a drink. Children's dietary needs are recorded as discussed with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises are clean and welcoming to the children and their parents. Good use of the space provides for all the ages of children attending. The range of toys, equipment and resources both inside and outside are well maintained and offer the children a varied range and selection to support their play and learning. Children have provision to sleep and rest as required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safety is managed appropriately and suitable precautions are in place by the childminder to minimise accidents occurring. Safety equipment is provided, such as smoke alarms and a fireguard. The children have daily opportunities to practise their road safety, as there is a clear a routine. This enables the older children to take responsibility to walk ahead to certain points and stop and wait so all cross the road together, but continue to be vigilant of the traffic outside of the school. Children all help to tidy up and to monitor certain resources which are not suitable for the younger children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has some relevant details and suitable knowledge of child protection and safeguarding issues. However, some information and the childminder's knowledge has not been updated to ensure these reflect current changes in practice.

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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 made welcome and the childminder ensures they have time to settle in. This is reflected in the children who are happy and confident in their surroundings. The younger children have a selection of resources which are rotated to offer a balance and range of learning opportunities. They use their imagination, dance to music, read books and chatter together with the childminder. The care and play is positive and the children are self assured in what they do. However, the range of activities for the younger children are not sufficiently extended in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children have table top tennis and football, there is a selection and a variety of games as well as opportunities and space to do their homework. The childminder interacts with all the children to ensure they are able to make decisions in what they do and to provide a positive range of activities in a homely environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are positively met by the childminder who knows them and their families well. All the children participate fully in the activities and have access to the resources provided. There is good contact with the local community through links with childminders in the area and with the school and pre-school. The childminder promotes an environment where the children feel comfortable and able to discuss any concerns they may have, such as bullying. There are some resources in place for the children which reflect diversity appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour is managed well by the childminder who offers the children clear routines and boundaries. These are age appropriate and the older children take on a level of responsibility for what they do, and respect the childminders home and the resources provided. Manners are promoted and the children use them with little prompting. The children share and take turns, this includes the younger ones who happily offer each other a toy. The childminder is calm and sensitive to the children's needs and responds appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The relationships established with parents is good. There are daily verbal exchanges with parents about their children's day and the childminder offers other times for discussion and support as requested. This includes providing a liaison with the school and parents as required. Children's preferences and routines, particularly for the younger children, are sought from parents to provide continuity of the care provided. Contracts of agreement are established with all the parents on the arrangement for the care of their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is suitably organised in her approach to her childminding provision. The effective use of space provides both the older and younger children appropriate access to the facilities and activities relevant to their needs. The childminder has updated her first aid certificate but has not attended any other training.

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Organisation

The records and most documentation in place is sufficiently maintained and up to date. This includes the recording of accidents and the administration of medication. Details of the regulator are provided and displayed.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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, it was recommended that the childminder develop her knowledge in relation to child protection issues, and ensure parents sign the record when medication is administered to their children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has some relevant information in relation to safeguarding children and child protection issues but has not updated her knowledge in this area. The records of medication given to children are recorded appropriately and includes the parents signature.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 1 2004 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 can be seen 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): • ensure information on safeguarding children is up to date and knowledge and skills are developed in relation to child protection issues • develop the range of activities for the younger children in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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