Bennett, Karen

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY244971 Inspection date 07 December 2005 Inspector Linda Filewood

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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 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 satisfactory. 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 2003. She lives with her husband, adult son and a 5 year old son in Ackworth, a suburb of Pontefract. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child on a part time basis. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a dog and a cat.

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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn and understand the importance of good personal hygiene through consistent daily routines and are becoming increasingly independent in their personal care. For example, they know that they need to wash their hands after using the toilet and only need gentle reminders to do the same before having a snack or touching food. Children stay healthy because the childminder has good procedures in place to reduce the risk of cross infection such as separate towels and flannels. She ensures her home is kept very clean and the kitchen floor and surfaces cleaned with antibacterial solution in the morning. A sickness policy is shared with parents and good arrangements are in place to care for children who are ill. All appropriate permissions and records are in place regarding the administration of medication, the seeking of emergency treatment and the recording of any accidents. However, not all

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

entries in the medication records are countersigned, as acknowledgement by a parent. The food provided by the childminder promotes the children's good health and ensures that they enjoy a nutritious diet, which includes plenty of fruit and vegetables. Children are helped to understand why some foods are healthy and others are not, and are encouraged to choose their own healthy option at lunch time. The childminder tries to use fresh ingredients rather than processed, whenever possible, and works well with parents to meet the children's individual needs. Children have drinks, such as water or much diluted juice, offered to them regularly throughout the day. The childminder encourages the children to drink water, rather than juice, and children know that too much juice is not good for their teeth. Outdoor play and daily outings improve the children's physical development. They enjoy, for example, walking the dog in the park or going to feed the ducks. The

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

childminder works well with parents to ensure that rest and sleep follows their home routine.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe environment as the childminder ensures that appropriate safety precautions are in place. For instance, she risk assesses the rooms prior to the children attending and always ensures doors are kept locked. Children are helped to learn about what is dangerous and how to keep themselves safe. They learn that they must cross the road carefully, as cars could knock them down and that they must not touch the oven when baking, as it is hot. There is a clear evacuation procedure in place in case of an emergency; however, this has not been practised with younger children who are unaware of what to do in the event of a

p.3

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 fire. The childminder organises her space and resources effectively to allow children to move easily and safely around her premises. Children can independently access a wide variety of resources, which are in good, clean condition and appropriate for the age and stage of development of the children attending. The outdoor play space is fully enclosed to ensure that children can play in hazard free surroundings. Children's welfare is safeguarded and protected as the childminder has suitable procedures and documentation in place. For example, the childminder holds a current First Aid certificate and signed permission has been obtained from parents to take children on outings, and to transport them in a vehicle. The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection procedures and there are effective systems in

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

place for the safe collection of children.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Relationships between the childminder and minded children are very warm and caring, as a result the children are settled and at home in their environment. They respond well to the childminder and are happy in her company. Children are involved, interested, enjoy their play and participate well in creative activities, which they enjoy taking home to show parents. Children's all round development is promoted well as they experience a good range of activities and resources, and are supported well to increase their skills and build on what they already know. The childminder offers good encouragement and praise, raising their levels of self esteem and confidence. Games are used well and adapted carefully to suit the ages of the children. This improves the children's concentration skills, teaches them to play by the rules, and the good support and encouragement enables them to fully enjoy the game. Children

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are developing a good understanding of counting, numbers and colours through daily play. For instance, counting is incorporated into the number of steps to go upstairs or the number of matched cards at the end of a game. They listen and respond well to stories, and adept questioning by the childminder encourages children to talk about what they see in the pictures and enhances their enjoyment of the book. Children benefit from a good range of activities outside the childminder's home, such as walks to the shops to buy lunch, or to the local park to feed the ducks. Discussions about the outings, prior to going, improve the children's communication skills and anticipation of the trip. For instance, talking about a visit to a farm raises the children's awareness of what they are going to see and they look forward to seeing the baby pigs and other animals.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are gaining an understanding of the environment in which they live through,

p.4

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 for example, visits to school functions and walks in the park. Sensitive discussion helps children develop an awareness of the society that they live in, but there are limited planned activities and resources for them to play with that promote positive images of disability and culture. Children are valued as individuals and are treated with equal concern and respect by the childminder. Good behaviour is valued and encouraged and as a result the children behave well and are beginning to understand right from wrong. Their self-esteem and confidence is built up through use of positive praise and encouragement. Children are beginning to develop their understanding of sharing and taking turns and are supported well by the childminder. Children's needs are met well as they follow their normal daily routine as discussed

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

with their parent. They are informed about their child's day through daily verbal exchanges of information. Parents are given good information about the service the childminder provides, although this does not include a clear procedure for how to make a complaint, should they wish to do so. New children have a short, flexible settling in period and information is exchanged about the child. Good relationships have been formed with the parents who have positive views on the care their children receive.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder uses her space successfully to create a child friendly environment for the children. They easily access resources and this encourages self selection and choice, enabling children to become more independent. Children are settled and familiar with their routines. Outings are planned effectively into the daily routine and enjoyed by all. For instance, although the childminder's dog is not allowed to be around the minded children when they are in the home, they enjoy taking the dog for walks in the park. Most records, policies and procedures required for the efficient and safe management of the provision are in place to support the care and welfare of the children. The childminder ensures that privacy and confidentiality is upheld at all times when dealing with the children's information and sharing sensitive information with parents. The number of children in place at any one time is low, thus offering a

p.5

Organisation

high level of adult support and interaction. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder extend her range of toys and equipment to promote the positive image of disability and culture. She was also recommended to ensure registers show accurate arrival and departure times of children and to consider further extending policies and procedures in order to enhance the provision's documentation.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

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 childminder still has a limited range of resources to promote diversity but does make good use of the equipment she already has. She uses age appropriate, sensitive discussions with children when situations arise to raise the children's awareness of similarities and differences in the world about them. Most records, in particular the attendance register, are maintained accurately and parents are shown a suitable range of policies and procedures, which gives them clear information about the service the childminder provides, giving them confidence that their children are being well looked after.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 that all entries in the medication records are countersigned, as acknowledgement by a parent or guardian • improve children’s awareness of fire safety • ensure there is a system in place to share the complaints procedure with parents • ensure that resources and planned activities encourage children to develop positive attitudes towards diversity and the wider world.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

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

p.6

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.6