Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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321894 Unique Reference Number 04 March 2008 Inspection date Ingrid Pine 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 has been registered for nine years. She lives with her two children aged 14 and 11 years in Normanton on the outskirts of Wakefield. There are local amenities including schools, shops and play areas, and the Normanton bypass and motorway network is a short distance away. She uses all of her ground floor for childminding, and there is an enclosed back garden in which children can play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has 11 children on roll, four of whom are over eight years. Children attend for a variety of sessions.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a level 3 qualification in childcare and 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 are cared for in a well maintained and clean environment. Children have very good opportunities to learn about the importance of personal hygiene through well supported daily routines. The childminder helps children to understand why they should wash their hands through support and playing fun games. There is a written sickness policy in place and parents and carers are made aware of the need to keep their children excluded if they are ill. This helps to minimise the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is well supported as the childminder has a current first aid certificate and all medication and accident records are completed effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet. They are offered a varied range of nutritious food, including fresh fruit and vegetables as well as their own personal preferences. The childminder uses fresh produce from a relative's allotment and has seeds ready for the children to grow in pots in the garden, helping them learn how home-grown produce helps them to stay healthy. Children enjoy regular sessions of baking, which helps them to learn about using fresh ingredients and preparing their own food.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for good physical play. They enjoy vigorous exercise in the local park and play gym and have a range of equipment in the garden that can be enjoyed during fine weather, for example, a climbing frame and well guarded trampoline.

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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 well maintained, secure and safe environment. For example, all doors to the house and gates to the play area are locked. All visitors to the household are checked before being allowed entry to the home and children are supervised at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a varied range of developmentally appropriate resources. They are organised so that children can have safe access and choose their own activities. In the home, the childminder uses gentle reminders to raise children's awareness of their own safety and that of others. For example, they practise regular fire drills, helping them to understand the importance of emergency evacuation procedures. When children are outside they are kept safe through the use of reins or a buggy board. They learn about road safety through using recognised crossing places and talking about 'stranger danger'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as the childminder has a sound knowledge of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. She has accessed basic training and has relevant information in place including a written policy which is shared with parents. However, the child protection policy does not include a statement regarding the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made whilst children are in the care of the childminder.

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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 happy and relaxed in the childminder's welcoming and child-orientated home. They enjoy a very good range of interesting and stimulating activities. They receive support and constant interaction from the childminder and they respond warmly to her. The childminder offers children a varied range of activities through both planned and spontaneous play. For example, children play independently with small world characters that have been set up ready and then request story time and a session of singing rhymes with the childminder. Children giggle with glee as they sing about a wriggly spider. They draw round each other's feet and compare sizes, and children confidently explain the process to the inspector. Children develop their language well as they discuss a recent birthday and the preparations made for it, such as baking cakes and buns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's activities and achievements are recorded well in individual books and the childminder is beginning to use this evidence to assess children's development in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, these are not yet used to fully plan for children's next steps in learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are made welcome and cared for in a loving, family environment. Children's behaviour is very good because the childminder has high expectations and consistent rules and boundaries. Children have a real sense of belonging because they feel valued, respected and part of the family.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have good opportunities to learn about their own environment and the wider world. They are involved in the life of the community and regularly visit the local children's centre, library and parks. Activities, such as dressing up for an 'Around The World Day', encourage children to learn about people from other lands and cultures and there are other supportive resources within the home such as books and jigsaws.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder supports children's individual needs, particularly with language, and has experience in using Makaton signing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An effective partnership with parents and carers contributes significantly to children's well-being. There are effective communications systems in place and parents and carers are kept well informed of their children's development and achievements. There is an excellent range of photographic evidence to show how all children enjoy their time within the setting. Questionnaires show the high regard that parents have for the childminder and the care and education she provides.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who supports them well and supervises them at all times. She is experienced and committed to developing her skills and knowledge of childcare through attending training and associated courses.

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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 Space is well organised so that children are able to play independently and freely access their own toys and equipment.

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Organisation

The welfare, care and safety of children is generally well supported as the childminder has compiled a wide range of well written policies and procedures which reflect her practice. She maintains accurate records and registers and obtains parental permissions to support the children's care and safe management of the provision.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to keep clear written records of accidents to children and to extend her range of resources to promote equality of opportunity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

New systems of recording accidents are now in place, ensuring the safety of children. More resources that promote equality of opportunity have been provided, enabling children's understanding of diversity to be increased.

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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): • develop the child protection policy to include a statement regarding the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made whilst children are in the care of the childminder • develop records of children's activities to plan for their next steps in learning.

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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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