Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY288273 Unique Reference Number 18 February 2008 Inspection date Josephine Ann Northend Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in June 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged five years and six months. The family live in a house on the Eastfield Estate on the outskirts of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor, the bathroom and small front bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear of the property for outdoor play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for two children under five, both of the children attend playgroup and the childminder makes use of a local toddler group.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has complete the level three certificate in childminding practice, she has the BTEC First Diploma in caring and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a varied range of activities which contribute to their good health. They enjoy physical games indoors, for example, dancing to music. Children regularly visit local amenities, including parks and shops. They use a range of large equipment in the enclosed garden, for example, wheeled toys. This means they have fresh air and exercise each day and their physical development is promoted. Children are able to rest and be active according to their individual needs.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in clean, warm and welcoming premises. The childminder has good hygiene routines in place to protect and promote children's health. Clear policies and procedures are in place, regarding sick children, medication and accident recording, ensure children's health needs are met. Procedures followed by the childminder result in children being protected from the spread of infection, for example, as they learn why they need to wash their hands.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates good understanding of healthy eating and she works with parents to ensure children's individual dietary needs are met. The childminder has good understanding of healthy eating, she ensures children receive a varied and nutritious diet. Many meals are home cooked; this means the childminder is aware of what they contain. Children have access to drinks throughout the day.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a secure, child orientated and friendly home where most risks are identified and minimised. The childminder has clear health and safety policies in place to support her practice. This means children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. However, the lock on the toilet door is accessible to children, this means children could lock themselves inside. The childminder has sound systems in place to ensure children's safety outside the home, for example, appropriate car seats and restraints in the car, and children wear wrist bands with emergency contact numbers when on outings. A detailed fire plan is in place, however, emergency evacuation procedures have not been practised with the children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

An excellent range of equipment and toys, which are of good quality and in a safe, well maintained condition, are provided to promote children's development and welfare. Toys and resources are stored so that children can reach them easily, make choices and develop their independence.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required procedures and documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded. They are well protected as the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities with regards to child protection.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder plans an interesting range of activities that take into account children's individual interests.

p.3

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 Activities and play opportunities are purposeful and developmentally appropriate resulting in children being motivated and interested. The childminder is interested in what children do and say, and becomes actively involved in their play and as a result, children are interested, motivated and their all round development is promoted.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The high quality relationships between the childminder and the children means the children are well settled, content and secure in her care. Adult-child interactions support children's communication skills, for example, the childminder and children look at photo's together and discuss where they were taken and who is in them. The childminder shows keen interest in what the children have to say, this contributes to their sense of belonging.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities and play opportunities are purposeful and developmentally appropriate, resulting in children acquiring new skills and knowledge. The children receive good support from the childminder and they are involved in a wide range of activities that promote learning. Activities are planned around a theme, for example, healthy eating. Children learned about food that is good for them and where it comes from. The childminder also makes good use of the local amenities to further enhance children's experiences, for example, as they visit nature parks, children's museums and adventure parks.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a good range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity. These include visits in the local and wider community.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are welcomed into the setting and participate fully in all activities because the childminder values and respects their individuality. The childminder has a very positive attitude towards caring for all children, including those with physical disabilities or learning difficulties.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses positive strategies for managing behaviour. This helps the children to understand the boundaries set and to behave well. The childminder helps them to negotiate and take responsibility for their own behaviour by supporting them, being a positive role model and encouraging the children to share and care for one another.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has developed with their parents. Written and verbal information is shared each day and parents have clear access to the childminders policies. Parent's views about their children's needs are actively sought before the child starts and updated on a regular basis. This enables the childminder to meet each child's individual needs.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her time well to meet the needs of the children. Adult child ratios are maintained with good organisation of time to allow children one to one attention to meet individual needs. The children are settled with the childminder and in the environment. This means that they are happy in their play.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder has a positive attitude to training and has completed level three training in childminding practice since her last inspection; the knowledge gained is used to enhance the

p.4

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 care that is given to the children. All required records are in place and are maintained well. The childminder effectively uses policies and procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. This means the care of children is promoted. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that the fire blanket could be easily accessed if needed. The fire blanket has been mounted in a wall in the kitchen and is now easily accessed. This promotes children's safety in the event of an emergency.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • make sure the lock on the bathroom door is inaccessible to children • practice the emergency evacuation procedures in place.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5