Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY363818 Unique Reference Number 20 May 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 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 daughter aged 10 years in a house in Skipton, North Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding one child, aged under five, all day and a further four children aged under five on a part-time basis. She also minds five children of school age, of whom one is aged over eight years. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children remain healthy because the childminder consistently follows good hygiene practice to prevent the spread of infection and to encourage them to learn good hygiene habits. Their health is well monitored through the maintenance of the correct documentation to promote their good health.

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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 Children benefit from detailed written procedures which are in place to protect all those who are ill. Those who are contagious do not attend, which prevents the spread of contagious ailments and acts in the best interest of children to protect all children being cared for.

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Helping children to be healthy

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

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and have good access to fresh drinking water. They are encouraged to help themselves to water and diluted fruit juice is sugar-free. Children benefit from fresh fruit for snacks as well as toast and biscuits with cream cheese. Those children who stay for the evening meal receive a good range of home cooked meals. The childminder monitors allergies and understands how to liaise with parents to ensure continuity of care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical well-being is promoted through regular physical play, both indoors and outside. They walk to school each day, play on a range of outdoor equipment and enjoy outings to places of interest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of stimulating activities in a safe environment and the premises are well maintained. They enjoy outdoor play in a secure garden and space is used well to encourage their independence and to promote all-round development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use good quality equipment, which is well maintained. Resources are organised attractively and include lots of variety, whilst promoting non-stereotypical play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risks to children are minimised through good risk assessments and children gain an awareness of how to keep themselves safe. For example, walking to and from school daily helps them to learn about the hazards of traffic, whilst the childminder shows them how to cross roads safely. Parents are made aware of the benefits of walking to school through a well-placed notice at the kitchen door.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children practise emergency evacuation drills and parents are aware of the people who would be called on to care for their children in an emergency. There is a written policy on the non-collection of children or those who may be lost whilst in the childminder's care. The childminder is very conscientious about maintaining children's security. For example, she keeps keys to front door on her person at all times and checks the identity of all visitors rigorously.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected from abuse through the childminder's very good understanding of child protection. She is knowledgeable about the potential signs and symptoms that would cause concern and of the reporting procedures. The childminder retains the local child protection contact numbers and records children's existing injuries. This means that she can act quickly in the child's best interest to safeguard their welfare.

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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 good. Children are happy and settled. They have made friends and play very well with each other. Children have a very good relationship with the childminder as they want to remain with her even when their parents are present.

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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 and are highly involved with a wide range of toys. They confidently ask the childminder questions and organise their own play. For example, asking for the drawing materials to be taken outdoors.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident and make decisions by choosing what they want to do. They respond to adults' interest by trying new food when these are included in a cooking activity, such as vegetable stir fry. Children engage in activities that are suited to their age and stages of development, such as soil play in the garden, water play, making play dough, baking and cooking activities, painting and printing. They enjoy putting together jigsaws, listening to stories and dancing to music tapes, such as a 'work out for toddlers'. Older children select their favourite activities for the holidays from a list compiled together with the childminder. They enjoy games with rules and outings on the buses, as well as more advanced art activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder's approach to extend their learning during activities. For example, they learn about cultural diversity and disabilities through photos taken from the Internet. They gain further benefit from effective communication with their parents as a daily diary for younger children is exchanged with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children demonstrate a sound awareness of good behaviour and say 'please' and 'thank you' unprompted. They are treated with respect and praised for their good manners so that they learn to be polite.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are very happy with the provision. They appreciate the variety of activities their children are involved in, the childminder's good relationship with their children and state that the childminder maintains an excellent service. Parents express a high opinion of the childminder and state that their children love attending and that they are kept well informed, both verbally and on a daily basis and through the diaries. This also helps to involve all family members.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. The childminder is knowledgeable about how to manage a range of behaviour and has had a lot of experience with a wide age group. She provides a detailed, well written policy outlining how she promotes positive behaviour through praise and through recognising children's individual abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and included because the childminder listens to them, gives them choices and allows them to solve their own problems.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have their individual needs met because the childminder recognises their individual needs so that children remain comfortable whilst in her care. She works closely with parents and has a professional relationship with them.

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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 the children well and values their individuality by following their interests. For example, 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 toys that they enjoy playing with and encourages them to expand on what they know and like, such as trying new food.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are effectively included in activities as the childminder understands how to ensure that all children have good opportunities to participate in all the activities provided. There are currently no children with disabilities or learning difficulties being cared for, but the childminder has had experience of caring for children with disabilities and understands how to do so in the home environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to value the differences in society through a limited amount of resources that reflect positive images of cultural diversity, disability and gender. They do not benefit from story books reflecting positive images of cultural diversity or disability. However, the childminder has developed her own resources to produce a book containing pictures of disabled athletes, children and people, as well as photos of people from around the world. She uses this as a basis for discussions with children about diversity.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare is promoted through well-maintained documentation reflecting the records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision. Children are well cared for through the childminder's good knowledge of child development.

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Organisation

Space and resources are used well to provide a warm and welcoming child-orientated environment. For example, toys are arranged to meet the needs of children and to be attractive, whilst parents are welcomed with plenty of written information about the service provided, such as written menus, Ofsted contact details and details of how the childminder works. There are well-displayed photos of the children engaged in a range of activities.

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Organisation

The childminder puts the needs of children first and good organisation of the day follows children's individual routines so that children have opportunities for rest and play. 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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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 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): • continue to develop resources reflecting positive images of cultural diversity and disability.

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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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