Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY362654 Unique Reference Number 29 April 2008 Inspection date Diane Lynn Turner 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 two children aged six and three-years-old in Rawcliffe, on the outskirts of York. The dining room, kitchen, hallway on the ground floor, and upstairs bathroom are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a recognised level 3 qualification in childcare and is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight-years-old at any one time. There are currently five children on roll, two of whom are under five-years-old. They all attend on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder is very effective in promoting children's good health. For example, the spread of infection is minimised because toys and resources are cleaned regularly, particularly those which may be mouthed by younger ones and parents are asked to keep their child at home if they are ill. Individual hand towels are provided, the children are encouraged to wipe their

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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 noses and the childminder explains to them why they need to wash their hands after toileting and before eating. She also encourages the older ones to learn about keeping their bodies healthy, for example, through sharing books, such as 'My amazing body' and role play when they learn that doctors and nurses wear a mask to prevent germs spreading.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder gives good attention to promoting the benefits of fresh air and physical exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. For example, the children walk to school and nursery or use wheeled toys and they play in the garden where they have access to equipment, such as a rocker and sand pit. They also visit the local park to use the large equipment. For example, photographs showing them having lots of fun as they use the roundabout.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with healthy, nutritious meals and snacks. They are able to choose from items, such as fresh fruit or crackers and cheese at snack time, with dishes, such as cottage pie, fish pie and spaghetti bolognese on the menu at tea time. The childminder keeps parents informed of what the children have eaten each day and when she has introduced new foods to the younger ones. She ensures the children have plenty to drink, explaining that they need to do so to prevent them becoming dehydrated, which could give them a headache.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well-maintained and child-orientated home where they have access to a good range of age appropriate toys. They are cared for in a designated room which has child-height furniture to ensure they can take part in the activities comfortably. They are comfortable in their surroundings and are able to freely decide what they would like to play with from a good range of toys and resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder gives high priority to keeping children safe. The premises are kept secure both inside and out and she carries out risk assessments to ensure all the necessary precautions are in place. These are reviewed regularly as the children grow and develop and their needs change, for example, when younger ones become more mobile. The childminder also helps the children to learn about keep themselves safe when out and about in the community. For example, showing them how to cross the road safely and explaining why they must not pick berries and put them in their mouth.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Emergency evacuation procedures have been devised for the home and these are practised with the children each month. A record is also kept to show that the smoke detectors are checked regularly. A fire extinguisher is available in the kitchen, but the childminder does not have a fire blanket.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection and this is reflected in her well-written safeguarding children policy. She has information to enable her to follow the correct procedures should she need to refer any concerns and has contact numbers for the relevant agencies. She also has a policy in place for the safe collection of children, which details the procedures she would follow if someone other than the parent or carer is collecting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle extremely well in this warm and welcoming environment. They develop close and trusting relationships with the childminder because she has a very calm and caring approach.

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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 She is very interested in what the children have to say and provides a very good range of activities. These are a good balance of those initiated by the childminder and those chosen by the children, which enables them to learn in different ways. For example, they explore the texture of dough, listen with interest to stories and play imaginatively with resources, such as the doctor's set.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Interaction from the childminder is excellent. For example, she promotes the children's creative development as they explore the various sounds of musical instruments and she helps them to develop their spatial and mathematical awareness as they use jigsaws and look at number books. Extremely well-presented scrap books that detail their time with the childminder are kept for the younger children. These includes photographs of the activities they have been involved in and examples of their work, such as leaf rubbings and hand prints. They also detail the progress they are making and will provide a lovely reminder of the child's time with the childminder, with many memories to look back on in years to come.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued and respected as individuals. The childminder encourages pre-placement visits so she can get to know the children before they start and to help them become accustomed to their surroundings. She is very welcoming on arrival and the children's name cards are displayed alongside those of her family to help them feel valued and part of the setting. Children with learning difficulties or disabilities are welcome to attend. There are none currently attending, but the childminder has some previous experience in this area and is fully aware of how to adapt activities to ensure inclusion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is proactive in helping children learn about the wider world. Toys and resources, such as books and board games that reflect positive images of diversity are readily available and the childminder uses innovative ideas to raise children's awareness of their local environment. For example, she has produced a number of picture cards showing, among other things insects and birds which the children try to find as they walk to school and nursery.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well supported by the childminder in learning to behave well. She is a very good role model for them to follow, being very patient in her approach. She has established boundaries so the children know what is expected of them and as a result, they readily cooperate, help with tasks, such as tidying up and are keen to talk about their time with the childminder and the activities they enjoy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder establishes and maintains good relationships with the parents. They are provided with a prospectus when the placement begins, the full policies and procedures are available for them to view and her insurance, registration and first aid certificates are displayed for their information. Information about the children's care needs and the daily activities is passed on effectively through daily chats and the details recorded in the younger children's diaries.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well-organised in all areas of her service. She is well-prepared for when the children arrive each day and offers a good balance of activities both inside and outside the home, which are planned to take into account the children's routines. She has a level 3 qualification in childcare, is enthusiastic about her role and is committed to providing a high

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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 quality service. Comprehensive policies and procedures are in place to show how the service operates and the childminder is conscious of the importance of developing and updating her practice. For example, she has recently attended a childminding conference and regularly attends the local childminder group where good practice is discussed.

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Organisation

The childminder has well-thought-out procedures that she would follow in the event of an emergency, including being able to call on another registered childminder to assist her if necessary. All of the required documentation is in place, with children having individual files to ensure confidentiality is maintained. However, records sometimes lack the necessary detail. The attendance records do not include the children's full names and the childminder has not ensured that all parents have completed the section on the contract which gives their permission for her to seek medical advice or treatment in an emergency.

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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): • improve the fire safety by ensuring a fire blanket is in place in the kitchen • ensure records of attendance show the children's full names and that written parental permission for the seeking of medical advice or treatment in an emergency is in place for all children.

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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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