Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY355507 Unique Reference Number 15 April 2008 Inspection date Christine Tipple 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 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 2007. She lives with her family in the town of Driffield. Most of the ground floor of the home and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. The childminder uses local facilities for the children for outside play and provision.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She currently has four children on roll who attend on a part time basis. The family has three cats and rabbits as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding network group. The childminder has a childcare qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder follows an effective approach to health and hygiene routines and practices with the children in her care. This is supported with a policy statement which is shared with

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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 parents. The facilities in place enable older children to manage their personal care independently. The younger children have their own nappies and creams brought in by the parents. Hand washing is promoted with the children before meals and after using the bathroom and wipes are used for the smaller children. Details are in place in relation to the care of children when ill and this includes appropriate exclusion periods which minimises cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are out and about on a daily basis with the childminder. This provides them with regular fresh air and access to a selection of activities. Children attend other provision which offers them extended opportunities to practise their physical skills effectively and to be active. Children use equipment , such as slides, a trampoline, sit on rides and the younger children are able to be mobile which develops their walking skills. There is a varied selection of smaller resources and tools for the children to construct with, to grasp, shake and extend their manipulative skills, such as shape sorters and stacking bricks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily snacks provided by the childminder and parents provide packed lunches. The children have regular fruit, yogurts, toast and some biscuits. The childminder promotes a positive approach to offering a suitable healthy selection and to encourage the children to taste different foods. Children's dietary needs are recorded as discussed with parents. Children have regular drinks through the day which is mainly water.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in suitable, clean and welcoming surroundings. The space enables the children to move around and access the resources and activities provided. The range of furniture and equipment meets the children's needs, such as sleeping and eating and being transported on outings and going on walks. The range and selection of resources and toys provided for the children are of good quality and promote their ongoing development effectively.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's safety is managed effectively by the childminder who has a sound understanding of safety issues, which is supported with a relevant policy. Children participate in the evacuation procedure with the childminder as part of their learning about keeping safe. This is extended to outside when crossing the road, and the children use the pelican crossing when possible. The children go out in the car on occasion and an appropriate car seat is provided. Other relevant safety equipment is in place, such as a fire guard and safety gates.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's safety and welfare is managed effectively. The childminder has attended training to ensure she has up to date information on safeguarding children in her care. However, the current contact details of the relevant agencies are not available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy in the childminder's care. Time is given to the children's play in supporting them and promoting their ongoing development. The range of resources and activities through the day enable children to explore and enhance their skills effectively. Interaction and ongoing conversations engage the children and support their growing vocabulary. This approach develops the children's confidence and independence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience creative play and have regular social contact with children in other provision, such as the parent and toddler and childminder groups. Children have toys which enhance their

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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 manipulative skills and they have construction and small world resources which support their imaginative play. There is a selection of books and the childminder has additional resources from the toy library and local network group to provide a variation and maintain children's ongoing interest and enjoyment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are respected and valued by the childminder. The childminder promotes equal opportunities in her approach with the children and parents. This is reflected in her policy statement. The children participate in celebrations throughout the year and some of these reflect other cultures. The childminder has some resources and information which promote the wider world which continue to be extended.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is managed in a calm and caring way by the childminder. There are boundaries and expectations in place that are part of the children's daily routines which they are comfortable with. This provides them with reassurance and a sense of security. All the children are encouraged to share and take turns which the younger children are starting to learn. The older children use their manners with little or no prompting by the childminder. Information about the childminder's approach to behaviour management is shared with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The relationship with the parents is good. The childminder provides a good range of information on the care and provision offered. There are detailed policies and procedures which offer parents a positive insight into how their child's safety and welfare is effectively managed. Contracts of agreement are in place with parents to ensure children's individual needs and routines are supported, and relevant written consent is in place. However, the full details of the regulator are not displayed for parents. Parents have daily opportunities to talk with the childminder about their child's day, and daily diaries are sometimes used with younger children. Parents feedback is positive in praising the childminders caring approach which ensures their children are settled and happy in her care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised in her approach which is effective in promoting children's safety and well-being. The space and facilities provided are suitable for the needs of all the children attending. The childminder is pro-active in accessing training to develop her knowledge and skills in relation to childcare. She has completed safeguarding children and first aid courses. The childminder has started to evaluate her care and provision and to have an action plan which identifies future development. She is a member of the local childminder network group which offers support and access to additional activities and resources for the children she cares for.

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Organisation

There is a good selection of information in place which includes a full range of policies and procedures. All other records and documentation are maintained effectively and kept up to date and stored securely to ensure confidentiality. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 can be seen 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 good. 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): • provide relevant contact details in relation to safeguarding children • extend the information for parents in relation to the regulator.

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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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