Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY347005 Unique Reference Number 14 May 2008 Inspection date Katy Elizabeth Wynn Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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

p.2

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.

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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her three children aged 15, seven and five years on the outskirts of York. All the ground floor of the home is used for childminding and the children have opportunities for outside play when visiting local parks and amenities. The family have one dog and two guinea pigs. The childminder picks up from Scarcroft school and attends the local playgroup and music group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and very well-presented home where they learn the importance of good hygiene procedures and develop very good personal self-care skills from an early age. The childminder has effective hygiene procedures in place to keep children free from infection; for example, not accepting sick children into her care, cleaning all toys and play equipment on a regular basis, washing her own hands between each nappy change, and ensuring children have their own individual paper towels to dry their hands on.

p.2

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 Children enjoy a good range of activities which contributes to their good health. Children get plenty of robust physical exercise. They go for daily walks to the local schools and park where they benefit from fresh air and exercise. From an early age the children have a positive attitude towards exercise and fresh air as the childminder talks to them about the benefits of exercise, such as helping you to sleep and keeping you fit. The childminder has a very good understanding about appropriate types of activities and promotes a healthy lifestyle with exercise, diet, sleep, fresh air and healthy eating.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a well-balanced and nourishing diet as the childminder has a very good knowledge of healthy eating. Children are beginning to understand what is good for them as the childminder encourages them to eat their 'five-a-day' fruit and vegetables. They enjoy a good range of snacks and meals all cooked from fresh ingredients. The childminder ensures the children experience new tastes and textures, for example, vegetables grown on the childminder's allotment. Drinks are freely accessed by the children throughout the day so that they remain hydrated. Children's dietary needs and allergies are recorded on their records.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has effective procedures in place for dealing with accidents and emergencies, and has completed her first aid training which ensures that she can deal with accidents immediately. All the required paperwork for recording accidents and the administration of medication is maintained accurately. This ensures children's safety and well-being.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a safe and secure environment where risks have been identified and minimised. The premises are kept very secure, sockets are covered and all hazardous materials are kept out of reach of children. The childminder talks to children about safety procedures as they learn about road safety on the walk home from school. Appropriate detection and prevention measures are in place in case of fire, and emergency evacuation procedures are practised with the children. This helps them to learn how to keep themselves safe. Children are provided with an extensive range of toys and equipment which are colourful, age appropriate, clean, well maintained and meet safety standards.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures; she is aware of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and is fully aware of her responsibilities.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy in the childminder's care, they enjoy the time that they spend with her and have warm and affectionate relationships with each other. They have their individual needs met and are developing in all areas because the childminder provides a wide range of activities and play opportunities. Children develop their imagination, creative and investigative skills through activities, such as play dough, baking, gluing and colouring. The childminder ensures that planning is child led and there is time in the day for spontaneous activities.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder offers excellent support as children play because she gets down to their level. Younger children's language skills develop as the childminder constantly interacts with them, talking to them and listening to their responses. Daily routines ensure that young children are

p.3

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 happy and very well cared for. Frequent, meaningful praise and encouragement helps children to develop good levels of confidence and self-esteem. The childminder sets out a good range of toys and resources for children to play with which are rotated to give the children variety and the focused activity table is changed weekly. The children were developing their counting skills as they used a variety of equipment to count, organise and place in order of size. Regular opportunities are provided for them to play in the home or mix with other children when visiting toddler groups and the local music group.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are fully met because the childminder takes the time to get to know the children and their families. Children are treated as part of the family and their individual needs are addressed and supported; the childminder's own children welcome the childminding children into their home. The childminder responds warmly towards the children and they delight in her company. Children are provided with a broad range of meaningful activities and resources that teach them about the wider world; they celebrate festivals, such as Diwali and access toys that reflect diversity, for example, dolls, books and small world. Children learn about their local community and environment as they walk to local amenities.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder displays a positive attitude to caring for children with disabilities and learning difficulties. She says she would work closely with outside agencies and parents to ensure that all children's individual needs are met. Children behave extremely well because they are kept fully occupied and know what is expected of them. They are constantly praised and given cuddles and smiles by the childminder, which supports their self-esteem and helps to develop good behaviour.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops excellent relationships with parents; children's individual needs are discussed during arrival and collection times. Parents are provided with relevant information, which includes a complaints procedure. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their child's care and learning, as the childminder provides them with information regarding activities. The childminder has an extremely positive attitude towards working with parents to ensure that she offers the highest quality of care to each of the children in her care. She is flexible in her practice to ensure that she meets the individual needs of all the children and constantly reviews these with parents.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's enthusiasm and experience. She has attended the mandatory training. The childminder organises the daily routines well, taking into account the needs of the children who attend. For example, organising a wide range of short activities as the children are young and their concentration span is still very short. Children are fully occupied and engaged throughout their time at the setting. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder ensures the correct ratios are maintained, helping to safeguard the children and ensure they are fully supervised and receive good support at all times. Children’s health, safety and general well-being is supported effectively because the childminder has an understanding of the requirements of registration and the inspection process. Documentation is accurate and maintained to a high standard, protecting the children in her care, however, all

p.4

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 her policies and procedures are discussed verbally and she does not have written policies and procedures for sickness, behaviour, special needs and equal opportunities. The daily attendance register is well-maintained, up-to-date and includes the actual times of attendance and parents' signatures. The childminder ensures confidentiality is maintained at all times, verbally and with the records.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this is the first inspection since registering.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 policies and procedures and share with parents.

p.5

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

p.5

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.5