Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY288386 Unique Reference Number 29 January 2008 Inspection date Linda Phillips 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 and is currently co-working from the home of another childminder. The home is situated to the west of Kingston upon Hull and only the ground floor is used for childminding purposes, including toilet facilities. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for three children at any one time and is currently minding eight on a part-time basis. When co-working the two childminders are registered to care for a maximum of nine children between them.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks and uses her car to take children to local schools and toddler groups, shops, the park and on regular outings.

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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. Children benefit from being cared for in a clean and safe environment. The childminder has high standards of personal hygiene, which are consistent. She teaches the children the importance of keeping their hands and faces clean; for example, she provides them with wipes and tissues which are used independently by the older children. Arrangements for nappy changing are good, with this being done discreetly behind the settee to enhance the privacy and dignity of the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

To promote the safety and good hygiene standards for children, pet management is appropriately addressed. The hamster lives in a cage in the back of the lounge and, although children can see it, they do not have access to it.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has attended a two evening first aid course and is awaiting her certificate. She has a clearly written accident procedure which informs parents of actions she takes when accidents occur. Records are well maintained, with individual reports stored in the children's own files. The policy for sick children informs parents of when children will not be accepted for care, to help prevent the spread of infections to others, for example, children with tummy upsets are excluded for a minimum of 24 hours. Records are maintained of medication given to children with prior written parental consent, although the actual time of administering is not always recorded.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they walk to and from local schools and toddler groups. As the garden is not currently used, children enjoy playing in the local park on a range of equipment where opportunities arise for them to have more robust, energetic and challenging activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder knows the children and their routines extremely well. She knows instantly when they are tired and reacts by putting cushions safely on the floor, ensuring children have their own blankets and dummies, and within minutes children are fast asleep, content and comfortable.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of healthy eating. The provision of food and drinks is discussed with parents to ensure dietary needs are appropriately met. Currently children bring packed lunches with them, although the childminder does supply snacks of fresh fruit and the occasional biscuit. Drinks are readily available, and visible, within the lounge and children know which is their individual cup, which encourages their independence. Children learn about social skills when eating as they all sit together with the childminder, who encourages them with their lunches. Children benefit from having their dietary needs well met, and requests, likes, dislikes and known allergies are clearly recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for in a welcoming and friendly environment where actions are taken to ensure risks are minimised, so that they can be cared for and play in safety. Movements are limited to the ground floor of the home, namely the through-lounge, and they walk through the kitchen to the toilet. During cooler weather, children are kept warm through

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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 the home having central heating. There is adequate natural light and ventilation to ensure children remain comfortable.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Parents are reassured regarding actions to be taken in the event of a fire as the childminder shares her written procedure with them. The fire blanket is easily accessible in the kitchen and smoke alarms are tested regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

In the event of an emergency, parents have given written consents for children to be safely cared for at the homes of two other local registered childminders.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are protected from harm because the childminder has a sound knowledge and clear understanding of her role in safeguarding children. She has undertaken relevant training and is fully aware of the procedure to follow should she have concerns. A written child protection statement is shared with parents, and this includes, for example, the childminder reporting to Ofsted any allegations made about herself.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from having a very wide range of play and learning opportunities. Within the home, the through-lounge is well organised. Toys, play materials and books are available at the children's level, which encourages them to be confident and independent as they self-select when they want something. As many toys are available, good systems are in place for rotating them to maintain children's interests and enjoyment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to recognise colours and learn counting by the childminder, who is consistent and enthusiastic. Children are confident and even young ones are starting to spell their own names out loud. Jigsaws are one of the children's favourite items and they work confidently together to complete them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Out of the home, children enjoy outings, for example, to the park, libraries and museums. Pre-school children also attend a local toddler group twice a week where they have the additional opportunity to play with other children and to select items to bring home as the toy and library lending services visit regularly. Photographs are taken regularly, with written parental consent, to evidence the wide range of opportunities and activities, and the childminder uses her mobile telephone to send instant pictures to them of the children at play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn through the attentiveness of the childminder, who shares the responsibility with her co-worker. Between them they are able to give individual children time to enjoy their chosen activity either on a one to one basis or in small groups. Children clearly enjoy the praise they receive; for example, when successfully completing a puzzle they are made a fuss of and verbal praise is given along with cuddles and claps. Parents are verbally informed each day of activities offered to and undertaken by the children. The childminder has a very good understanding of different ages and stages of children's development and offers learning opportunities appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated with equal concern by the childminder, who respects their differences and individuality. There is a written equal opportunities statement which is available to parents and

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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 includes, for example, that all children are cared for irrespective of gender, race or religion. To enable children to learn about diversity and the wider world they are gently introduced through age-appropriate books and through activities at the toddler group they attend.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

No children with physical disabilities or learning difficulties are cared for currently. Children with limited speech are very well supported by the childminder; for example, she works closely with parents, and encourages children by allowing them time to think before trying to respond to her.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

To help children become confident and learn about acceptable behaviour, the childminder acts as a good role model. She explains what is and is not acceptable; for example, when children attempt to climb on the settee, she explains to them not to and they promptly climb down again. The childminder has a written behaviour management procedure which she shares with parents. The six children present, all under five years, played exceptionally well together and are extremely familiar and fond of each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in very close partnership with parents. As she is temporarily co-working from the home of another childminder, hours and patterns of care are thoroughly discussed with parents to ensure registered numbers are not exceeded. Effective systems are in place for parents to be kept fully aware of their children's time with the childminder and she encourages them to talk openly about any concerns they may have. Good relationships have been built and written contracts are in operation. Parents are fully aware of how the childminder operates as she supplies them with individual copies of her personalised statements, policies and procedures. She also requests parents sign a statements as proof of having received them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are asked to contribute to the childminding service through completing questionnaires. They are asked, for example, if they are happy with systems of communication, including texting, the sending of phone photographs and verbal comments. They are asked for comments regarding activities, routines, snacks and drinks, and have the opportunity to make any additional comments they wish. Parents comments of response are extremely favourable and positive, and they have taken time to give feedback in detail and not just one word responses.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shares her written complaints procedure with parents, which includes, for example, the address and telephone number of the regulatory body. It also states that should any concerns or complaints be raised these would be logged and dealt with within 28 days.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has been registered since 2004 and has the appropriate experience, skills and ability to care for children. She holds recognised childcare qualifications and enjoys keeping up to date through attending relevant training courses, for example, on makaton, the Local Safeguarding Children Board and first aid. Although the childminder is very busy, she is highly motivated and gives up evenings and weekends to attend training opportunities offered to her to broaden her knowledge even further.

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Organisation

On a daily basis, along with her co-worker, the childminder is very well organised in terms of caring for the children to ensure their individual needs are met. Systems for maintaining written records are good and are well presented and clear. These include, for example, children's record forms, accident records and maintaining a clear log of the children's attendance including arrival and departure times.

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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 Records are stored appropriately for security and confidentiality within the co-worker's home. Certificates of registration are prominently displayed and the childminders comply with their conditions.

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Organisation

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

The childminder is currently co-working from the home of another childminder. The four recommendations arising from the last inspection related to the childminder's own home and practices and, therefore, comments cannot be made regarding improvements the childminder may have made.

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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): • ensure the time of administering medication is recorded on each occasion.

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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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