Childminder in Kingston upon Hull

Inspection report for early years provision

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503160 Unique Reference Number 26 February 2008 Inspection date Jane Elizabeth O'Callaghan 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 2001 and lives with her family on the outskirts of Hull. The whole of the ground floor and the upstairs bathroom is used for childminding and there is an enclosed 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 and is currently minding six children on various days. The childminder will collect and take from local schools. She attends local toddler and childminding groups. The family have a rabbit as a pet.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the Hull Childcare Network and also the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The childminder encourages children to wash their hands in the bathroom and they independently use wipes to clean themselves up after messy play, after going to the toilet and

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 before meals. Younger children are seen to confidently wipe their hands before and after having a snack. The childminder is extremely vigilant in relation with hygiene explaining to children the importance of washing their hands. For example, there are lots of posters displayed encouraging children to flush the toilet, wash their hands and 'why we have to prevent germs'. She also takes extensive steps to ensure all toys and equipment used are cleaned weekly through recording when they have been cleaned. The childminder has a verbal nappy changing routine, which she explains to parents. The childminder, when changing nappies, ensures that the mat is wiped with antibacterial gel before and after use, gloves are used and both the childminder's and child's hands are washed afterwards. This ensures that children are free from cross-infection

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Helping children to be healthy

through a strict hygiene routine throughout their daily care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that children receive daily exercise through regular walks, visits to parks, soft play areas and also lots of music and movement activities within the home. This ensures that children develop their physical skills in an enjoyable way.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has very informative policies on caring for children who are ill whilst in her care. This includes incubation periods and she insists that parents read this policy along with others on administering medication, receiving emergency treatment and also the recording of accidents. The childminder has a relevant first aid certificate and also first aid boxes, which are checked regularly. This ensures that children are cared for in a healthy and safe environment and one that meets both the children's and parents' needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides snacks and the parents provide their children's main meals. She has a sample menu that she shows to parents, which provides an excellent choice of healthy and nutritious meals. For example, fish, chicken, rice, casseroles and lots of fresh fruit, should she be asked to provide main meals. The childminder offers children fresh fruit, raisins, raw vegetables, breadsticks and the occasional biscuit for their snack times. The childminder is fully aware of hygiene procedures, ensuring that all surfaces are cleaned regularly. She asks parents at their initial visit about children's special dietary needs and these are recorded in their registration forms and are updated frequently.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a vast knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She has obtained this through extensive reading and her own experience. She has read through the information and also taken advice through the training she has attended. The childminder ensures that she works using this with the under three year olds, and endeavours to treat all children equally.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder offers a safe and secure home for minded children. Children have access to all of the downstairs, giving them ample space to move around freely and confidently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder keeps all toys and activities accessible to the children and, due to the vast amount of toys, she rotates these on occasions. She checks the toys and equipment for safety and cleanliness daily. This ensures that children are cared for in a clean environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a fire drill procedure and an evacuation plan which is shown to parents. Fire drills are practised with the children regularly, however these are not recorded. The childminder has smoke alarms and these, along with the fire blanket, are checked regularly. She has written procedures for lost and uncollected children, which are shown to parents. The

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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 childminder uses her own car, has parents' written permission, and has made everyone aware of the new car seat legislation through available information. She also has permission to take children on outings and, although she has contact numbers in her mobile, she also carries them written down in case the mobile does not work.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder attended training in Safeguarding For Children in 2007. Her knowledge and understanding in respect of recent practice and procedures is up to date. She has all the contact numbers, along with written procedures and policies and parents are given a copy of these to keep. This ensures that children are cared for in a safe environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children are extremely happy and relaxed and thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and her family. The children relate well to the childminder and are able to extend their social, physical and learning skills through regular visits to groups in the community and further afield. For example, they visit local parks, childminding groups, toddler groups and places of interest. These provide the children with an excellent range of experiences and challenges in interesting settings.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are eager to participate. The childminder is sensitive to their individual needs and offers a flexible child-led approach to the activities and resources they want to access. She skilfully adapts what she offers to ensure all the children take part. This enables the younger children to be involved in an excellent selection of creative resources. For example, children access suitable books and experience tactile and sensory materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children play very well, with interaction from the childminder when appropriate. For example, children independently accessed a wide range of books and sat on the floor with the childminder who read to them. The childminder also sat with the children and sang songs with them doing the actions. For example, children sang 'twinkle little star' and 'the wheels on the bus' This fosters the children's listening skills and helps them recognise things that are familiar to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder does an extensive range of topics; these are age-related and interest the children. For example, the children have recently done a topic on dentists and the childminder has invited the 'tooth fairy' to come to her house to talk to the children about cleaning teeth. There are photographs displayed with the children having lots of fun playing with gloop, face painting, gardening and baking. This ensures that children are developing their skills in an enjoyable and fun environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are superb positive, caring relationships established, which promote children's confidence and communication skills. The childminder listens to the children, answering their questions with care and thoughtfulness. The children develop a strong sense of self-esteem, which is evident within the ages of the children present.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has an excellent collection of resources that reflect all areas of equal opportunities. For example, dolls from different cultures, books, small world figures and jigsaws, and she also celebrates various festivals. The children learn about different cultures around the world and their local community through visits to local museums and parks. The childminder

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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 has an excellent list of different festivals that she celebrates with the children. For example, the children recently celebrated Chinese New Year through eating with chopsticks. The childminder feels that it is important to discuss in detail and explain to the children all about how different cultures celebrate and the reasons behind these celebrations. Children have also learnt about how children with a sight disability can read books through Braille. This means that children of all ages learn about the wider world and also their local community. The childminder has a detailed policy and this is given to parents to read and sign. In the policy it explains about children being treated individually, regardless of their age, gender, culture and disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a written behaviour policy that explains to parents how she handles any problems that occur whilst the children are in her care. The policy explains that she removes children from the situation explaining why the behaviour is unacceptable. She works with parents keeping them informed of any concerns. This is done in a confidential manner and a record is kept in an incident book. The children are very well behaved. They take turns and are very well mannered; this is due to the childminder being an excellent role model. The childminder feels that she is a good role model to the children in her care. She encourages children to be polite, for example, ensuring they say 'sorry', 'thank you' and 'please'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents; she provides daily diaries for children and ask parents to contribute in them. The information included in these explain to the parents what the child has done through the day, what they have eaten and how they have generally been. She also takes photographs of what activities the children have participated in and these are displayed. This ensures that the parents' wishes and child's needs are met. The childminder always ensures that she makes time for verbal feedback at the end of the day. The childminder has a very informative parent pack that is given to them when they start at the childminder's. The pack contains a high standard of information. For example, it has all the policies required, information relating to all her family, activities that the childminder provides and other information. All documentation is completed, including registration forms with parts for

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Helping children make a positive contribution

permission for the childminder to administer medication, record accidents, allergies, emergency treatment and contact numbers. Parents are also given up to date information about the new regulations in relation to the making of a complaint. This means that children are cared for according to parents' wishes and in a safe and caring environment.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder lives with her family. She attends training whenever possible and is aware of the importance to keep up to date with any new developments and requirements. For example, the childminder has attended the Early Years Foundation Stage course, Safeguarding Children, Common Assessment Training course and various other courses through the Local Childminding Network.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps a register of children's attendance and this records the arrival and departure times of each individual child. All documentation is kept for the required period of time and kept in a confidential and professional manner. The childminder ensures that the registration certificate and her insurance are displayed for parents to see and that parents can have access to the children's up to date registration forms.

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Organisation

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

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure the patio doors are secured. The patio doors are always locked when closed and keys are to hand in case of emergency. This ensures that children are cared for in a safe environment.

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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 complaint 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 a procedure for the recording of fire drills.

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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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