Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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311177 Unique Reference Number 19 May 2008 Inspection date Angela Margaret Ellis 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 satisfactory. 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 2000. She lives with her family in Batley, West Yorkshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of her home, except for the front room, for childminding. Bathroom facilities are available on the first floor. 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 five children at any one time and currently has four children on roll on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local childminding support groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has a cat, two hamsters, stick insects and fish.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is promoted because the childminder follows appropriate health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. She has suitable systems in place to gather information

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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 from parents regarding medical needs, dietary requirements and allergies. All the required medication records are available for inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about their personal hygiene well through their normal daily routines because the childminder regularly reinforces good hygiene practices. For example, they have individual towels for hand drying.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a balance of home-made and processed meals that includes some fruit and vegetables. Parents provide snacks for their children. They have regular access to drinks in their individual drink containers. The children eat together at the table, which promotes a relaxed social time, and they are encouraged to eat at their own pace and enjoy their food.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They have access to a variety of large and small equipment in the garden, at play gyms and at recreation grounds. This helps them gain confidence and enjoy moving their bodies in various ways. They regularly walk during visits to farms, museums and parks which give children access to a wider range of more challenging activities. Their finer manipulative skills and control are developed through a variety of stimulating activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a reasonably safe and welcoming environment both indoors and out. Risk assessments are undertaken and where risks are identified, these are minimised. However, the risk assessments have not identified the low storage of alcohol in the kitchen and the exposed shaving razor in the bathroom that pose a potential safety risk to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have a balance between freedom and safe limits. The childminder understands that suitable types of activities and appropriate levels of support give the children confidence to take risks and try out new skills. She knows their capabilities well. Good procedures are in place to keep children safe when they are on outings and road safety is reinforced during outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children safely and independently select activities from a varied range of good quality toys and activities. These are appropriate to children’s age and stage of development and all meet safety standards. Children learn how to keep themselves safe and healthy through reminders by the childminder as situations arise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn the procedures for fire evacuation because they practise fire drills. The childminder has all of the required documents to ensure that she acts in the best interests of the children. She has an understanding of child protection issues, however, she does not have up to date information on the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and the child protection policy has not been updated in line with these. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, to act in the best interest of the children if they are ill or have an accident.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled, confident and content in a stimulating and caring environment. Effective and established routines meet the needs of children, for example, for meals, activities and outings. The independence of the children is promoted well because children have free access

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 to a broad range of good quality equipment and make their own choices with enthusiasm and confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder knows the children's likes and dislikes well and therefore provides activities that she knows will interest and challenge them. For example, the young children express delight while playing imaginatively with the baby dolls. They enjoy undressing them and the childminder supports the children well to enable them to dress the dolls again.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are supported by the childminder well when necessary, demonstrating that she understands when and when not to intervene. She knows the children well and has cared for some of them for several years. A caring relationship is demonstrated through good interaction between the children and the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Parents are kept informed about their child's activities through verbal discussion, artwork and photographs. This is all very informative and demonstrates that the childminder values the children and this has a positive impact on children’s self-esteem. The outcomes for children under three years old are being well met. The childminder has familiarised herself with the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She uses the cards when planning topics as a resource to support the learning and development for children under three-years-old.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's needs are effectively met because the childminder treats children with equal concern, valuing and respecting their individuality. She ensures all children can take part in activities appropriate to their age, needs and abilities, and is successful in promoting an inclusive provision for all. Children make choices and decisions that contribute to their own learning because the childminder respects their independence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children become aware of the local community through taking part in events at the local childminder support group, such as the 'toddle waddle', to raise funds for charity. They learn to develop an awareness of the seasons and wildlife through local outings. Children are beginning to learn about the wider society because there is a varied range of resources available depicting positive images of others. They learn about other cultural festivals, such as Chinese New Year and Diwali, through creative activities and food tasting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well in response to the childminder’s positive and consistent approach to managing behaviour. Clear and realistic boundaries are established which effectively promote children’s understanding of right and wrong. They are beginning to learn to show care and respect for each other and other things. For example, by sharing and taking turns with each other, by watering the sunflower seeds they have planted and feeding the pet hamster.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A successful partnership with parents contributes well to the children’s well-being and provides continuity of care. The childminder provides a good range of information about her service. This two-way sharing of information and expertise allows the childminder to continually meet the children’s ever-changing needs and keeps both parties well informed. Children clearly benefit from this effective partnership and settle well in response, which enhances their experience and makes it a positive one. There is a complaints policy to share with parents, however, it has not been updated in line with the requirements.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The organisation of the setting promotes positive outcomes for children. This is demonstrated in the childminder's sound commitment to keep up to date with current childcare issues, reflect on her practice and make improvements to raise the quality of it. She attends the local childminder support group and meets up regularly with other experienced childminders. This commitment supports children's care, learning and play appropriately.

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Organisation

Children benefit from a balance of home-based play and outings because the childminder encourages the children to broaden their interests and experiences; this is evident in the stimulating environment provided for the children and her interaction with them. Resources and activities are organised imaginatively and creative use of the premises enables children to access childminding areas freely, under supervision. This includes areas for children to play, eat, rest and sleep. However, the safety risk assessments are not thorough enough.

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Organisation

Most of the required documentation is in place and up to date to promote the care and welfare of children. For example, the register of attendance is completed accurately and demonstrates that the childminder maintains ratios to ensure the safety and well-being of children in her care. However, the child protection policy and the complaints policy are not up to date. 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

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve some aspects of documentation. The required written consents from parents have been obtained to enable the childminder to act in the best interest of the children when administering medication and seeking emergency medical advice and treatment.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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 satisfactory. 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):

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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 • review the risk assessments for the storage of alcohol in the kitchen and the shaving razor in the bathroom to ensure that they do not pose a potential hazard • ensure that up to date information is obtained about the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and update the child protection policy in line with these procedures • ensure that the complaints policy is updated in line with the requirements.

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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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