Childminder in Barnsley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY248875 Inspection date 04 October 2005 Inspector Duncan Gill

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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 satisfactory. 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 2002 and lives with her husband in a house near Leeds. The family also own a dog. There are schools and toddler groups within walking distance and the childminder takes and collects children from schools, toddler groups and nurseries. She is registered to care for 4 children and currently has 3 children on roll, aged 2 to 5. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and the study, bathroom and back bedroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden at the rear of the house for outside 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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are fully encouraged to learn good routines of personal hygiene. They independently wash their hands after toileting and before eating meals. Children begin to understand the importance of healthy practices through sound daily hygiene routines, such as nappy changing and explanations from the childminder. They are well protected from the spread of infection as the childminder fully implements a clear illness policy, which is shared with parents. Satisfactory arrangements are in place to care for children in the event of an accident. The childminder has attended first aid training, although she has not sought parents permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Children have suitable opportunities for physical activity. They enjoy walks, trips to a local toddler group and outside play in the back yard, which helps them build a positive approach to physical exercise.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are well met through effective partnership with parents to discuss any allergies or special dietary requirements. They are offered healthy snacks and meals, including fruit, and are regularly encouraged to have drinks, which are freely accessible to them.

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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 and welcoming environment. Rooms are effectively organised to provide children with choice and the space to move around freely. Play equipment is stored in boxes and on tables at child height, so that children can freely access toys and independently select activities which interest them. Children are fully interested in the range of age-appropriate resources and these provide a good challenge for children's individual stages of development. Children are cared for in an environment which has good safety features in place. These include smoke detectors, socket covers and safe storage of dangerous substances. Children develop a good understanding of safety in the setting. They learn to cross the road safely, practice emergency evacuations and begin to understand the reasons behind safe practices through detailed explanations from the childminder. They are suitably protected on outings and when being collected, as the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder follows clear routines to ensure they are safe and free from harm. Children are well protected from abuse. The childminder is aware of her responsibilities towards the children in her care and has a secure understanding of the procedure to follow with any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have good opportunities to become independent and are confident in their

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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 environment. Their opinion is highly valued, they can freely access drinks, toys and are encouraged to make their own decisions regarding activities. They are happy, settled and build warm relationships with other children, playing well together and learning to take turns and share. Children are fully involved in a wide range of enjoyable activities, for example, imaginative play, stories, arts, crafts and visits to toddler groups. They are keen to communicate with the childminder who is very interested in the children and questions them well to encourage them to think and share their experiences. They develop high self esteem, as they receive constant praise and encouragement from the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued as individuals and are treated fairly and equally, regardless of gender, culture and ability. They have suitable opportunities to learn about the wider world, talking about features of the local community on walks and trips and they can freely access a basic range of resources, which promote equality of opportunity. Children with special educational needs are welcome at the setting and the childminder has satisfactory arrangements in place to ensure all children are included, regardless of ability. Children behave well and are set clear and consistent boundaries by the childminder, who fully implements a clear behaviour policy which is shared with parents. They benefit from developmentally appropriate methods to manage inappropriate behaviour, including explanation and distraction. Children receive lots of praise to encourage good behaviour and begin to understand right from wrong through clear

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Helping children make a positive contribution

explanations as to the reasons behind behaviour boundaries. Effective partnership with parents ensures all children's individual needs are well. Satisfactory registration forms and talks ensure the childminder has all the information necessary to provide care for the children, although parents consent is not always obtained to transport children. Parents are kept well informed of their child's development and they are given detailed information about the setting through written information on the family, policies, menus and photos of activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from well organised rooms and resources which give them good opportunities for free choice and to develop their independence. The childminder organises her time well to give children effective support and encouragement to help them feel secure and confident. Daily routines are effectively organised to meet children's individual routines with regards to sleeping and eating and the childminder has attended some training, including first aid to help keep children safe and healthy. The childminder fully implements a range of good policies which have a positive impact on the children. These include behaviour, illness and child protection. Most of the required documentation is in place, although parents do not always sign records

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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 of medicines administered to children and their consent is not always sought where required. The needs of all children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to extend resources for school age children, extend resources to promote equality of opportunity and to gain more detailed information from parents, regarding children with nut allergies. There are now more games, books and a computer for school aged children to use and this provides them with a greater range of activities. The provider increased the resources to promote equality of opportunity, although there is still a basic range for children to access. She has consulted with parents of children with nut allergies and uses this information to provide snacks and meals that meet all children's individual needs.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • request written permission from parents to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future • develop opportunities for children to appreciate and value each others similarities and differences and develop the range of resources to promote equality of opportunity • improve documentation to ensure parents give written consent to transport children and all records of medicines administered to children are signed by parents.

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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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