Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY101258 Inspection date 21 June 2005 Inspector Angela Margaret Ellis

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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 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 since 2001. She lives with her two daughters aged four years and six years. Their semi detached home is in the Thornhill area of Kirklees. There are local shops and parks within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. A fully enclosed garden is available at the rear of the premises for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for four children and has seven children on roll. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and Kirklees Childminding

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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 Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s good health is promoted well both indoors and out. The childminder applies good standards of hygiene to prevent the spread of infection. Children learn the importance of cleanliness through daily hygiene routines such as washing their hands after outdoor play, after using the toilet and before eating. The childminder implements effective procedures and acts in children’s best interest if they are ill. All aspects of the medical consent records from parents is in place. The childminder provides a wide range of physical activities that contribute to the children’s good health and emotional well-being. They engage in physical activities to help them develop skills and confidence for example a young child is very confident and skilful at riding a bicycle with stabilizers. This contributes to their awareness of the way activity affects their bodies and understanding of when they need to drink

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Helping children to be healthy

and rest. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet extremely well. They drink regularly throughout the day and enjoy a varied balance of freshly prepared nutritious meals and snacks; this includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Children are encouraged to eat at their own pace and enjoy their food. This makes meal times a relaxed, social occasion.

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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 safe, spacious and welcoming environment both indoors and out. Risk assessments are undertaken and where risks are identified these are minimised. The childminder has a good understanding that children need a balance between freedom and safe limits. She understands well that appropriate types of activities and suitable levels of support gives the children confidence to take risks and try out new skills. She knows the children's capabilities well, although, safety assessments do not clearly take into account possible risks when young children are developing a strong sense of independence. Children safely and independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and activities. These are highly appropriate to children’s age and stage of development and all meet safety standards. Older children have an understanding of the fire evacuation procedure and they practise them regularly. The childminder has

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

all the required procedures and documents to ensure she acts in the best interests of the children. For example, she has a secure understanding of child protection procedures and holds a current first aid certificate.

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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 outstanding. The children are extremely well settled, confident and content in a very stimulating and caring environment. Effective and established routines meet the needs of all children, for example, feed, sleep times and school collections. Procedures for settling new children into the home are very effective in ensuring children soon become comfortable in the childminders care. Other children adapting to these changes are sensitively considered. The independence of the children is excellent. They freely access equipment and make their own choices with eagerness, enthusiasm and confidence. They have a positive approach to learning and become highly involved and interested in their play. Children have excellent relationships with the childminder and others. The childminder plans an extremely varied and interesting range of activities and experiences for the children. These take into account the differing developmental

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

needs of all the children in her care. The childminder uses her skills and knowledge to adapt her plans. The younger children plant and observe the growth of flowers and older children make creative representations in their artwork. Effective use of the Foundation Stage Curriculum and Birth to Three Framework contribute to the planning, promoting positive outcomes for children's learning. The childminder fully supports children’s development through effective observations to enable her to plan for the child’s next stage. She is highly skilled at using this information to influence her plans to ensure children acquire new skills and knowledge.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder is extremely effective in meeting children’s individual needs. She treats all children with equal concern, valuing and respecting their individuality. She ensures all children can take part in activities appropriate to their needs and abilities, and is highly successful in promoting an inclusive provision for all. Children behave considerably well in response to the childminder’s positive and consistent approach to behaviour management. Clear and realistic boundaries are established which effectively promote children’s understanding of right and wrong. They show high levels of care and concern for each other and other things for example they help to water the plants every day to help them grow. The childminder is very successful in providing a true participative environment which enables children to make choices and decisions that contribute to their own learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Highly successful partnerships with parents contribute significantly to the children’s well-being and provide continuity of care. This two-way sharing of information and expertise allows the childminder to continually meet the children’s ever-changing

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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 needs and keeps both parties well informed. Children clearly benefit from this highly effective partnership and settle well in response which enhances their experience and makes it a positive one.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Commitment to further training and personal development is considerable. Skills, knowledge, and experiences gained through training courses contribute to effectively enhancing the service further. The childminder has completed several Birth to Three matters training courses and has gained a certificate in Extending Childminding Practice. Good organisation and creative use of space enables children to access areas freely, promoting and supporting their well-being. This includes providing areas for children to relax, sleep and play. Organisation of resources encourages children to be very independent and positively support children’s care and learning. The childminder has devised an abundance of documentation that is extremely well organised and regularly reviewed to ensure it reflects the service offered and this contributes effectively to children’s well-being. Overall, the service meets the needs

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Organisation

of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Very good progress has been made since the last inspection. The childminder provides a wide range of activities and experiences using natural materials such as lengths of fabric, lentils, rice, water, sand, soil and everyday objects. For example a mobile baby showed great delight in exploring the sound of a pan and a wooden spoon as he made them clash together. These kinds of experiences effectively extends the children's sensory exploration and imagination extremely well.

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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 MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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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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): • review risk assessments taking into account younger children's developing capabilities

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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

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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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