Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY364389 Unique Reference Number 02 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 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 2008. She lives with her husband and two children, aged three years and eight years, in a house in the village of Gargrave near Skipton. The playroom, lounge and dining room on the ground floor of the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for eight children on a part time basis. Of these, three are aged under two years, two are aged under five and one child is aged over eight years. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have a good awareness of how to maintain healthy hygiene practises. This is achieved through the use of good resources, such as individual colour coded towels for hand drying, which are hung on pegs on a board so that children select them easily. Their understanding of

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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 when to wash their hands is good because they do so at appropriate times, without being reminded.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is well maintained because the childminder records the correct information about their health. She maintains the environment in which they play and learn well. For example, they remain healthy because the childminder consistently follows good hygiene practise to prevent the spread of infection. Children benefit from a well-written sick children's policy in place, which acts in the best interest of all those being cared for, and helps parents to understand how their children are being protected from contagious ailments.

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Helping children to be healthy

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

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished because they receive a balanced diet. Parents receive advanced planning of their meals through a four-weekly menu. However, they also receive information about their children's meals on a daily basis. Children benefit from meals that are freshly prepared, which include sandwiches, with fruit and vegetables for lunch. They receive hot cooked meals at tea time. Children learn about how food helps their bodies through discussions about the properties of food at appropriate times, such as when helping to prepare their own lunch and snacks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a positive attitude to mealtimes through eating meals as a social activity. Their good health is fostered further by taking part in regular physical play, both indoors, outside in the garden and through outings, such as visits to the park and other places of interest to children.

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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. The premises are well maintained and space is used well to encourage children's independence and promote their all-round development. For example, toys are stored in boxes on the floor and at child height on shelves. Those for younger children are at floor level, and those for older children are placed higher up. Resources that children use are of a high quality and are well maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risks to children are minimised through good risk assessments that encompass all areas of the setting. They benefit from good safety procedures on outings, and written permission is obtained from parents for all outings, including use of the childminder's car. Children have a clear sense of how to keep themselves safe in the home through regular fire evacuation practises and on outings, by learning how to cross roads safely on their regular walks.

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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 procedures. She uses the Local Safeguarding Children Board's guidelines and retains the relevant information to help her to protect children. The childminder is knowledgeable about the potential signs and symptoms that would cause concern, and understands the reporting procedures. The child protection contact details are retained on file and injuries that children sustain at home are monitored. This means that the childminder 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 are friendly, curious and very busy with the activities provided. They also work together well on group projects, such as building a den together. Children follow their own agendas and select their choice of activities and resources. For example, they engage in baking activities, select drawing materials and make spaghetti patterns using dyed and cooked spaghetti.

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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, such as cutting and sticking, doing jigsaws and preparing food. They enjoy outings to the park and the shops, planting seeds, such as carrots and flowers. Children are happy being with the childminder and say that she is very friendly and plays with them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children start to gain confidence and express their individual preferences from an early age. For example, very young children initiate activities such as, taking pans and wooden spoons from the bottom cupboards and banging them, which attracts other children to join in the impromptu music session. Young children select small worlds play and engage in construction activities, whilst older children explore their creative abilities using a range of materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children respond well to adults' interest in their ideas and opinions, and are enthusiastic about the activities they are engaged in. They are allowed time to explore their environment and resources independently, and at their own pace. Children benefit from the childminder's approach to extend their learning during activities. For example, they learn the alphabet because they practise it whilst playing games. They learn about adding and subtraction as they help to clear away resources and set the table at meal times.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect so that they learn to be polite. They follow good examples of behaviour from the childminder and show consideration for each other as older children help the younger ones to take off their coats. Older children play with younger ones in ways which promote their development, such as helping them to practise walking. They treat each other with respect and think about needs of others. For example, initiating discussions on where to build their den so that others are not inconvenienced.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents have good opinions of the provision and provide written commendations about how well their children have settled, and how happy their children are in the childminder's care. Parents express confidence in the childminder. They appreciate the happy atmosphere of the provision and state that their children have lots of fun with her.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is promoted well. They learn right from wrong as they are taught to think about the feelings of others from the start. Parents receive a written behaviour management policy, which helps them to understand the strategies used by the childminder to foster good behaviour. This helps to provide a consistency of approach which benefits children's all-round learning experience. Children are valued and included because the childminder listens to children, gives them choices and encourages them to solve problems, such as the best position to build the den to accommodate everyone's needs.

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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 have their individual needs met because the childminder works closely with parents, providing written policies, monthly and weekly menus, detailed development profiles for children aged under five and daily diaries for babies. Children are confident and benefit from her good relationships with their parents as she discusses their progress with parents on a daily basis.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has attended training in order to provide care for children with disabilities or learning difficulties. However, there are no children with disabilities or learning difficulties currently being cared for. Children benefit from the childminder's understanding of how to promote inclusive provision so that all children enjoy the activities provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to value the differences in society through a wide range of resources that reflect positive images of cultural diversity, disability and gender. For example, the childminder makes her own resources which reflect disabilities. She researches the internet for suitable materials, such as photographs of wheelchair users, a variety of blind people supported by guide dogs, using white sticks and reading braille. Children reflect on the positives of having a disability, because the childminder has produced several laminated photographs of children with a range of disabilities, which are a focal point for discussions. They also benefit from resources which reflect cultural diversity, obtained in a similar way. Children learn about the customs and beliefs of others through child-friendly activities, such as learning about the Chinese New year. However, non-stereotypical play is not well promoted.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare is effectively promoted because the records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision are very well maintained. Children benefit from the childminder's good organisation of their day, which follows their individual routines and parental wishes.

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Organisation

Children are well cared for through the childminder's good knowledge of child development and her clear sense of purpose and commitment. She demonstrates this through her pursuit of their individual interests and her commitment to keeping abreast of new developments in childcare.

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Organisation

The childminder puts the needs of children first and is vigilant in attending to their specific needs. She organises space and resources to provide a warm, welcoming environment for children and their parents. 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 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 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 and activities that promote 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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