Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY360130 Unique Reference Number 26 June 2008 Inspection date Paula Fretwell 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 was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and children aged 10, eight and three years in Chickenley near Dewsbury. The childminder is assisted at times by her husband and her niece, who help in the care of the children. The whole of ground floor of the home is used for childminding and children use the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed area for outdoor play to the rear of the home. There are eight children on roll who all attend on a variable basis. The family have a pet cat. The childminder walks and uses a vehicle to go to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is safeguarded through many effective procedures and through enabling children to be responsible for their own personal hygiene. Children are learning to understand when and why they need to wash their hands and they build this into their daily routine. For example, children talk about having clean hands before they eat and use the hand sanitising

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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 gel before they enjoy a drink and a snack. Children's hygiene needs are managed very well. For example, tissues are promptly sought when required and immediate attention is given to changing nappies, with good regard for children's privacy at this time. Children are encouraged to wipe their feet when coming in from outdoors. Parents are clear about their responsibilities not to bring children who are ill or infectious, so that the health of others is safeguarded.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder makes sure children enjoy healthy snacks and meals as required. She has a clear understanding of children's individual dietary needs and she provides a varied choice of nutritious snacks and drinks at appropriate intervals. Children talk about the food they eat and they enjoy sitting down together round the table, engaging in very interesting conversation, about things such as where foods come from or what happens when ice melts.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy many opportunities to practise their physical skills indoors and outdoors. They make good use of the childminder's garden for many activities, depending upon their ages and abilities. They especially enjoy bouncing on the trampoline and they benefit from having the choice of indoor or outdoor play. Additionally, the childminder takes children to local parks and play areas to enable them to have plenty of regular fresh air and exercise. Indoors, the children use plenty of floor space for exploring, building and dancing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder gives very high regard to ensuring children are safe and secure at all times. The childminder's home is very warm and welcoming to children and they always play safely. Toys and resources are of very good quality and these are easily accessible to the children so they can independently choose what they would like to do. Children's awareness of how to keep themselves safe is highlighted through frequent discussion as opportunities arise, such as not putting toys in their mouths and not running away when on outings. Children are helped to learn what to do in the event of a fire and there are clear and safe procedures for emergency evacuation. Written risk assessments are in place to identify any perceived hazards and the childminder also invites parents to risk assess her home if they wish to. First aid equipment is stored in a clearly labelled cupboard so children are aware of where to find it should an

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well safeguarded because the childminder is aware of the signs of possible abuse and fully understands her responsibility to report any concerns without delay. Her knowledge of child protection is enhanced through further training and all relevant contact details are easily accessible should the childminder need to report any concerns or allegations.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy, confident and at home in the care of the childminder. There are excellent relationships which support each child's unique needs and the childminder is fully committed to ensuring their care, learning and play needs are met. There is lots of fun and playful banter in the household; children relate very well to the childminder and her two assistants and they display their affection through frequent, spontaneous cuddles and conversation. Children sing to themselves as they play, giving an accurate indication of their happy mood. The childminder is warm and responsive to each child's needs and she has an excellent knowledge of their individual personalities, their likes and dislikes and their particular areas of interest. The childminder puts children firmly first and this enables children to play in

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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 a relaxed and spontaneous way. The childminder fully enjoys her role in supporting the children and she creates a friendly, family atmosphere in which every child is valued and special.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have many excellent opportunities appropriate for their interests and enjoyment. They enthusiastically initiate their own play and the childminder gives them plenty of time to play uninterrupted. For example, children enjoy building a wooden train track and persevere at this activity with the additional support of an assistant. Children are learning skills in cooperating with each other and they become fully engrossed in their imaginative games together. They use their imaginations extremely well, enjoying role play and dressing up and the childminder enthusiastically joins in to facilitate their play. Opportunities to extend children's learning are maximised through the childminder encouraging colour recognition and counting in everyday ways. For example, at snack time, children discuss the shape and colour of their grapes and make comparisons between big ones and little ones. The childminder compliments children on

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their abilities. She gives them plenty of praise and encouragement and they enjoy her enthusiasm for what they do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are equally included and have fair and appropriate access to all areas of the provision. The childminder works very well with her assistants to give high levels of individual attention. Children are consulted and contribute to their care and the childminder involves them in discussion about everyday issues. Children learn about the needs of others through the provision of varied resources and activities and they are encouraged to appreciate that people have many similarities and differences. For example, they know that people have different abilities and they play with dolls in wheelchairs. The childminder works closely with parents and carers to provide a service that meets every child's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is excellent. They show very good respect for the childminder, for each other and for the resources they use. Simple house rules are in place which older children are aware of and these are displayed for information. The childminder sets a good example for the children to follow and they are polite and considerate of each other in their play, using good manners with no prompting. Children know there are safe boundaries in place for their well-being and they are secure in a familiar routine which supports their needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is fully supportive of the needs of the families she cares for. Children's welfare is given high priority and the childminder works alongside parents to effectively promote this. Relationships with parents are trusting and secure and parents compliment the childminder's abilities to care for their children. Children who have left the provision send thank you cards with lovely comments. Useful exchanges take place daily so that parents are fully informed about the child's day and parents are included in what their child has been doing with the childminder through information in daily log books. Scrap books with photographs and written observations provide a lovely record of children's progress although these are not routinely shared with parents. The childminder is very flexible to meet the needs of parents and adapts her service to ensure children's needs are met in line with parents' wishes. She uses many forms

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Helping children make a positive contribution

of communication with parents, including simple text messages where appropriate and seeks feedback on the service she provides.

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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 good. Care for children is extremely well organised to enable them to enjoy their time with the childminder. The childminder works very well with both of her assistants to ensure children are closely supervised at all times and she enables children to make decisions about their care. Children confidently choose what they do and the childminder facilitates their play and development. All play areas are used well to allow the children space to play and the childminder enables them to freely explore.

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Organisation

All necessary documentation is in place and up to date. The childminder has a high regard for confidentiality and keeps information securely filed away. She is aware of changes that may affect her role and undertakes training to enhance the care given to the children. Very comprehensive policies and procedures are in place and these fully underpin the high quality practice in place for the children.

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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

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 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 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): • further develop ways to share the children's development records and observations with parents.

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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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