Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY357952 Unique Reference Number 16 June 2008 Inspection date Liz Whitehead 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. She lives with her husband and daughter aged 10 months in Batley. The ground floor and first floor bathroom of the property are used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family has a rabbit and a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently caring for one child on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are encouraged to practice effective health and hygiene routines. The childminder encourages them to wash their hands before meals and after toileting. To prevent the risk of cross-infection, each child has their own towel. Additionally, the childminder explains to children the importance of regular hand washing to remove the germs.

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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 Mealtimes are a relaxed occasion with children sitting and eating together at the table or picnic-style in the garden. The childminder sits with them and develops their table manners and social skills through encouraging them to talk about their day. She ensures that all children are fully included and young children in high chairs are positioned close to the table.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy and varied meals are provided in accordance with the children’s individual dietary requirements and their parents' wishes. Children choose their own fruit from the shop and make their own fruit salad which encourages them to eat healthily. The childminder has completed a food safety course to ensure that all meals are prepared appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have many opportunities for exercise, fresh air and outdoor activities when going for walks, playing at the park and in the garden. However, rabbit droppings on the grassed area of the garden pose a hazard to children's health. Young children enjoy experimenting moving in a range of ways, including pulling themselves to a standing position with the support of the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Drinks are readily available with meals and on request, although there are no facilities indoors to allow children to access them independently. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their individual requirements, routines and their parents' wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Effective systems are in place to ensure that children cannot leave the premises unaccompanied and that unwanted persons cannot enter. These include the garden gate being secured and the exterior doors kept locked, with the keys to hand. Visitors' identity is always thoroughly checked prior to them entering the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an appropriate knowledge of how to keep children safe. Relevant equipment is in place to minimise risks to children, including a safety gate, socket covers and window locks. Additionally, the childminder carries out regular risk assessments to highlight and reduce hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are familiar with the emergency evacuation procedure as it is prominently displayed and practised regularly. Smoke alarms are in place and a fire blanket is readily available in the kitchen to ensure that it can be accessed quickly in case of emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A first aid box is easily accessible to ensure that any minor accidents in the home can be dealt with quickly and appropriately. However, a first aid kit is not taken on outings. To ensure that parents can be contacted at all times both a landline and mobile telephone are available, although written contact details are not taken on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected as the childminder is confident in recognising the possible signs of child protection concerns. She is aware of the correct procedure to follow and has relevant literature to refer to. A password system ensures that children are only collected by authorised adults.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from appropriate interaction with the childminder. She develops their thinking through asking questions and listens to and values their responses. The children share a warm and trusting relationship and have plenty of fun with lots of affection and cuddles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Basic weekly play plans are in place to ensure that children receive a range of activities and that all resources are available and well prepared. These plans remain fully flexible to allow for spontaneity and children's choice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy exploring and investigating a range of sensory toys. They spontaneously sing and enjoy listening to the music playing. They develop an awareness about protecting the environment through playing with reusable bags and making musical instruments using empty water bottles. They regularly feed the ducks, grow their own vegetables and compost their fruit peelings.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are developing effective communication skills and many activities promote their language development. The childminder talks and sings with the children and encourages them to select their own books when visiting the library.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children spontaneously access the suitable range of activities which encourages them to become confident decision makers. They are able to socialise with children of a similar age through regularly accessing groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop mathematical concepts and ideas, such as volume and capacity, through filling and emptying containers in the water play. They regularly count the toys as they play and discuss the colour of the cups in the water and the shape of the bubbles that they enjoy blowing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s individual needs are met appropriately as the childminder clearly records information which she gathers from the parents. She encourages the children to become progressively independent through feeding and dressing themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Daily discussions keep parents fully informed regarding their children's care and development. This is supplemented with written information and all children have an individual book containing photographs and examples of their artwork. The childminder encourages the children to regularly take their pictures and creative work home, which enables parents to share their children's achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about their community through walks in the area, visiting the shops and attending local groups. They develop an awareness and understanding of the diverse world in which they live through a limited selection of resources. These include books and dolls.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder consistently follows the behaviour policy and basic house rules to set clear and consistent boundaries. Therefore, children behave well and know what is expected of them. The childminder encourages the children to share the toys and they happily help to tidy them away. She is polite and courteous to the children and acts as a positive role model, regularly saying 'please' and 'thank you' .

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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. Children are settled and confident within the childminder's home. They are cared for in a warm, welcoming environment with a selection of toys available for them to independently access. The certificate of registration is prominently displayed for parents to view.

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Organisation

Relevant checks have been completed on all appropriate adults. Effective systems protect children from persons who have not been vetted, as they are not left unsupervised. A number of policies and procedures are in place, which parents sign to acknowledge they have read these.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to her role and has a suitable understanding of the National Standards and the supporting criteria. She has compiled a file of relevant information for parents to view, including how she meets the standards. She has completed a number of courses in addition to the required training. Additionally, she is implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage into her daily practice.

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Organisation

Most of the required documentation is in place. However, the childminder does not request written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice. Additionally, the register of attendance does not reflect when children are at nursery. Confidentiality is fully maintained as records are only accessible to the childminder.

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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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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 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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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 toileting arrangements for pets do not pose a hazard to children

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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 • implement systems to enable children to independently access drinks • improve children's safety on outings • develop the range of resources that promote positive images to children • request written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • maintain an accurate record of children's attendance.

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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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