Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY355799 Unique Reference Number 09 April 2008 Inspection date Dawn Bonica Brown 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 2007 and works with another registered childminder. She lives with her husband and adult son in a house in Slaithwaite, Huddersfield. The living room on the ground floor and the play room in the basement of the childminder's house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

When working alone, the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. When working with a co-childminder they are registered to care for a maximum of 12 children at any one time. Between the two of them, the childminders are currently caring for 10 children, some of whom attend part-time. Of these, seven children are aged under five years and three are aged over five years. There are currently no children aged over eight years. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. The family has a dog.

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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 good. Children have a good awareness of healthy hygiene practises. For example, hand washing hygiene is maintained through resources which support their learning, such as individual coloured towels for hand drying. They remain healthy because the childminder consistently follows good hygiene practise to prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is well maintained because medication records are recorded well in almost all areas. Good illness procedures are in place to safeguard their welfare. These include written procedures which are in place to protect children when they are ill. Furthermore, children who are contagious do not attend. This helps to prevent the spread of contagious ailments and acts in the best interest of children to protect all those being cared for.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's welfare and well-being are closely protected; the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This means that she is able to administer first aid promptly in the event of an accident because she has the relevant knowledge.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and their access to drinks is good. They receive a well balanced diet which includes breakfast before school, and a drink of either milk or water. Their daily snacks include fresh fruits, varied according to the season. Lunch is freshly prepared each day and includes fresh vegetables, such as broccoli and butternut squash. Children benefit from home-cooked, hot meals, such as lasagne, chicken, fish or shepherds pie, followed by a dessert of baked apple, fromage frais or bananas and custard. Cooled boiled water is available for younger children at all times. Children's special dietary needs and allergies are monitored effectively because the childminder works closely with parents to ensure continuity of care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a positive attitude to mealtimes as they eat at the dining table, and meals are a social activity which encourages good appetite and social skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in regular physical play both indoors and outside. They take advantage of good access to outdoor play and enjoy painting and chalking activities in the outside area. Children benefit from lots of outings to various places of interest to them, such as parks, the library and visits to feed the ducks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a wide range of stimulating activities in a sufficiently safe environment. The premises are well maintained and children enjoy good access to a secure outdoor play area. Space is used well to encourage children's independence and to promote their all round development. For example, toys are arranged at child height and children select them very easily. Space is generous and children move freely between activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use good quality equipment and risks are minimised through suitable risk assessments in most areas, such as a door alarm downstairs and integrated smoke detection equipment on every floor of the house. Harmful materials are normally stored out of children's reach. However, this practise is not sustained with consistent rigor at all times. Children benefit from suitable safety practise on outings and they gain awareness of how to keep themselves safe through

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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 their normal routines. For example, they learn to cross roads safely on their daily walks, when they learn to recognise the hazards of traffic.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are suitably protected from abuse through the childminder's understanding of child protection procedures. She is aware of the potential signs and symptoms, and understands the reporting procedures if she has concerns about a child. The child protection contact numbers are retained and injuries that children arrive with are monitored. This means that the childminder can act quickly in the child's best interest to safeguard their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled. They are busy and curious, and very interested in what is going on around them. They are supported to become settled through good settling-in procedures and, as much as possible, the childminder follows children's individual routines.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are involved in a broad range of planned activities and spontaneous events. Young children play well together and share their toys. They are engaged in a range of activities that stimulate their interest ,such as small worlds play and imaginary play with home corner equipment and puppets. Children under three years are engrossed in simple activities which are age-appropriate. They learn to socialise and mix with others through lots of opportunities to visit other childminders. Children benefit from participation in musical activities, listen to nursery rhymes, visit the library for story time and listen to stories with the childminder. Older children learn about food preparation because the childminder involves them in cooking activities, which helps them to recognise food in its natural state, such as fruit and vegetables. Children aged over three years are involved in baking activities and making play dough, while school aged

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children learn to use safe kitchen tools such as, a vegetable peeler when helping to prepare meals.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident, make decisions and respond to adults' interest. For example, older children make good use of an activity book to plan their own activities. The childminder follows their special interests to help children develop and to boost their self-esteem and confidence. Children benefit from the childminder's implementation of the 'Birth to three matters' framework because they are allowed time to explore their environment and resources independently at their own pace.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated with respect so that they learn to be polite. From the start they learn to think about the needs of others and demonstrate habits of sharing. For example, children aged under three years pass things to each other in their mutual games. Children follow examples of behaviour from the childminder and enjoy practising saying 'please' and 'thank you'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents express their satisfaction with the setting in writing and state that their children have fun and that they are impressed with the setting. Children have their individual needs met because the childminder works with parents to provide continuity of care. For example, she uses a home link diary, which helps both parents and the childminder to follow children's progress.

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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 Children are well behaved and parents understand how the childminder manages behaviour because she provides a written policy. This helps to maintain consistency. The childminder describes suitable strategies to manage children's behaviour and gives children appropriate attention.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are confident and happy, and feel a sense of belonging as the childminder knows them well and values their individuality. There are no children with learning difficulties or disabilities currently being cared for. However, the childminder understands that she must work with parents to provide appropriate support.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children do not currently benefit from activities which help them to value diversity, and there are insufficient resources which promote non-stereotypical play or resources reflecting positive images of cultural diversity or disability.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are suitably protected and receive sufficient adult support to feel secure and confident. Their overall well-being is promoted through satisfactory maintenance of the records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision. Children are cared for appropriately because the childminder has a suitable knowledge of child development.

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Organisation

Children benefit from care in a child-orientated environment in which resources are easily accessible, and space is organised in a manner which promotes their independence. For example, young children understand how to locate resources of their choice and select them independently. Appropriate organisation of the day ensures that children's needs are given priority. 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

This is the first inspection since registration.

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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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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

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

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): • employ a consistent approach to ensuring that hazards to children are minimised • continue to develop activities and resources reflecting positive images of cultural diversity, disability and non-stereotypical play.

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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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