Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY277212 Unique Reference Number 30 June 2008 Inspection date Maralyn Chiverton 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 January 2001. She lives with her family in Ossett, on the outskirts of Wakefield, within walking distance of local amenities. The whole of the ground floor is used for minding and there is an enclosed area for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for no more than four children under eight years of age at any one time. At present there are six children who attend on a full and part time basis. The childminder occasionally works with her husband who is registered as an assistant.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes and collects children from school, takes children to the local park, as well as attending the local toddler group. She 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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained home environment. The childminder adopts appropriate standards of hygiene and promotes effective practice which prevents the spread of infection and minimises the risk to children's health. For example, parents are contacted to collect children who are unwell. Children's understanding of personal hygiene is reinforced through daily routines, such as washing hands before eating and after using the toilet. They have access to wipes and individual towels which prevents the risk of cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with regular drinks and nutritious snacks which include fresh fruit, yogurts and breadsticks. Any allergy or dietary needs are recorded to ensure children's needs are met. Children’s enjoyment of physical exercise is well promoted through daily walks to school as well as access to the local park. Planned activities, such as looking at books allow children to have periods of rest and relaxation. Younger children benefit from daily routines which accommodate their sleeping patterns well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well cared for in a home which is welcoming, comfortable and suitably furnished. They have access to a wide range of toys which are safe, suitable and purposeful as well as being age and developmentally appropriate to the needs of the children who attend. Toys and equipment are checked daily to ensure they are safe for children to play with. Children are beginning to develop a good awareness of keeping themselves safe through everyday routines and the childminder's simple explanations. For instance, the childminder explains it is dangerous to climb on the settee.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures toys in need of replacement have passed BS EN standards which keep children safe from harm. However, there is no clear procedure for informing parents about fire evacuations and these are not practised which limits children's awareness of what to do in case of an emergency evacuation. Children are kept free from harm through the sound understanding of the childminder with regard to child protection concerns and procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are provided with a learning environment in which they are offered a wide range of activities and experiences, as well as access to a wide range of toys and activities which keep them interested and contributes well to their learning. These include musical instruments, a wide variety of building materials and small world play. Younger children's understanding of shape, number and colour is well promoted through everyday routines, a wide range of books and the effective interaction of the childminder. For example, the childminder encourages children to count when singing action songs and to build a tower using blue bricks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy very good relationships with the childminder, who offers lots of encouragement and praise, raising the children's levels of self-esteem and confidence. She knows the children well and provides activities and resources based around the children's interests. These include

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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 sharing books, as well as playing with cornflour and jelly to promote children's awareness of textures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder enjoys what she does and this is shown in her warm and caring manner. She takes photographs of children at play which are displayed in children's individual books with written comments. These are then shown to parents who also receive verbal feedback on how their child has spent their time at the childminders.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder obtains sufficient information from parents to ensure she meets the children's differing needs appropriately. Children are respected as individuals and included fully in the setting. They benefit from the positive attitude and satisfactory understanding of the childminder with regard to promoting diversity and equal opportunities. For example, children are encouraged to play with all toys and participate in all activities. Children's understanding of the wider environment is adequately promoted through regular visits to places of interest, such as the local park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and young children are supported in learning to share toys with others. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of behaviour management strategies which are appropriate to children's age and level of understanding. Children's understanding and awareness of their needs and those of others is well promoted through simple discussion and constant reiteration. Parents receive information about the childminders provision through verbal communication at the initial visit. However, there is no clear system for informing parents about the procedure to follow should they have a complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are well settled and benefit from a child orientated environment and generally well managed and organised provision. They enjoy their time in the setting and are able to self-select with safety and independence from a well balanced variety of toys and activities which are appropriate and purposeful. Children benefit from the childminder's enjoyment in promoting children's learning through her positive interaction and caring manner.

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Organisation

All mandatory documentation is in place which ensures the smooth and efficient running of the provision as well as generally promoting children's care, learning and welfare. Effective routines which accommodate all children successfully support the needs of all the children. Children are kept safe at all times through the close supervision of the childminder. Their individual needs are met through the sharing of information with parents including children's individual records.

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Organisation

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

Following the last inspection actions were put in in place to improve children’s welfare and safety. They were to: work to the requirements of registration; maintain an accurate register of children's attendance; complete an approved first aid course and obtain parents written permission to seek emergency treatment.

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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 Since the last care inspection the childminder has implemented all of the above actions to improve children's safety and welfare and provides a satisfactory service.

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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 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): • ensure that a statement of the procedure to be followed in the event of a fire is made available to parents and fire evacuations are practised to raise children's awareness of what to do in the event of an emergency evacuation • introduce appropriate systems for promoting parents awareness of the procedures to follow with regard to complaints and the recording of complaints, in line with regulations.

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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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