Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY364888 Unique Reference Number 13 May 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 has been registered since 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and nine in the Horbury area of Wakefield. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is an outdoor area that may be used under strict supervision. There are five children on roll who attend on a variable basis and the childminder escorts children to and from local schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is extremely well promoted because the childminder fully understands how to prevent the spread of infection. Children have their own coloured hand towels and they confidently talk about why they wash their hands 'to get the germs all off'. The designated

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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 nappy changing area ensures very good practice with regard to children's personal hygiene and privacy. Effective measures are in place to ensure children's health is safeguarded, such as the use of disposable gloves for changing nappies. Parents understand the childminder's policy not to care for children if they have infectious illnesses, so that the health of others is protected.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are given very high priority and there are excellent opportunities for them to develop their understanding of healthy eating. Menus are varied and balanced showing a very wide range of nutritious snacks and meals, and the childminder works closely with parents to ensure their children's needs are fully met. Children are given simple healthy choices for their lunch, such as ham, cheese or tuna and they discuss their favourite foods. Children talk about eating lots of fresh fruit, for example, they know they especially enjoy kiwis and bananas at snack time. Healthy choices are promoted through activities, such as matching games with fruit and vegetables, and the childminder uses these to extend children's knowledge of what foods are good for them. Children also learn where foods come from and they enjoy planting and growing their own vegetables in their vegetable patch. Children access drinks freely and

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Helping children to be healthy

the childminder understands they may be especially thirsty at particular times, such as when they have just woken up.

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Helping children to be healthy

Very young children's needs are extremely well met. Their care is based firmly upon their individual needs and the childminder effectively follows their cues for sleeping, eating and changing, enabling the children to follow their own personal routines. Babies' emotional well being is given high priority and the childminder is fully aware of their individual preferences and comforters, such as a special toy or dummy. Cuddles and reassurance are spontaneously given to enable children to feel secure.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is very well promoted through a wide range of opportunities and activities appropriate for their individual needs. The childminder has an excellent understanding of children's abilities and she ensures activities and toys are developmentally suitable for each child's needs. Children enjoy visits to local parks and soft play areas where they can practise their physical skills with large equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's safety and security is given utmost priority and the childminder is fully aware of all potential hazards, taking excellent measures to prevent the risk of accidental injury. Comprehensive written risk assessments of all areas used by children are in place and regularly reviewed. Children enjoy independent access to an excellent range of toys and resources and the childminder ensures these are used safely through vigilant supervision at all times. Children know exactly where to find what they need and the childminder actively promotes their independence, whilst being on hand to offer support if required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are developing a very clear understanding of how to keep themselves safe through gentle reminders and activities. They demonstrate their knowledge through talking about why they need to put sun protection cream on in warm weather, and they happily put this on for themselves under close supervision. A clear plan is in place and well practised for fire safety and children know what to do for emergency evacuation. Children understand that there is a minor private road outside the childminder's house, and parents are respectfully reminded of the speed restriction in place for children's safety when accessing the childminder's premises.

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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 Children are very well safeguarded through the childminder's excellent knowledge of child protection procedures, and what to do in the event of a concern or allegation of abuse. All necessary contact numbers are readily available and the childminder ensures parents are fully informed of her duty to safeguard children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. An excellent range of well planned activities ensures children enjoy their time with the childminder. Children are completely at home in the childminder's setting and they display very high levels of confidence and self esteem. Relationships between the childminder and the children are positive and offer full support for their individual needs. The childminder knows each child very well and she is very aware of their unique personalities and interests, which enables her to care for them well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy many opportunities inside and outside the home, and the high quality interaction between the childminder and children ensures their learning is extended through play and conversation. The childminder asks plenty of open questions to encourage children to think, and she develops their vocabulary through introducing new words and giving excellent explanations for their questions. Children's development is supported through visits to local groups and a variety of activities, such as baking, arts and crafts, dressing up, pretend play and planting and growing. The childminder ensures children have opportunities to learn about the world around them, for example, by looking at frost on a spider's web or finding out about a visiting hedgehog.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All activities are guided by the children's needs and the childminder maximises opportunities for their learning. For example, children are encouraged to count and recognise colours in the everyday routine. The childminder is very skilled at interpreting the non-verbal language of very young children by following their cues, until she finds out what they need and she responds promptly to them. Children are given time to play uninterrupted and they become engrossed in activities of their choice. They talk to their dollies and engage in imaginary role play and the childminder supports this through ensuring all resources are available to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children make an excellent contribution to their own care and they are equally valued and respected. Their self esteem is enhanced through the childminder recognising and having full regard for their individual needs and emphasising what children can do. Children are very proud of their art work which the childminder attractively displays, and she is openly complimentary about their achievements and abilities. Children refer to the childminder as 'aunty' giving them a sense of belonging and familiarity. The childminder fully discusses the individual needs of each child with their parents to provide appropriate facilities, and she has a very good understanding of disabilities and learning difficulties. Children learn about the world around them through interesting and informative activities, resources and discussion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well in response to realistic expectations and lots of meaningful praise. The childminder is smiley and approachable with the children and they respond happily to her friendly tone of voice and positive interaction. Effective strategies are used to manage children's behaviour, with due regard given for individual children's levels of understanding and personalities. Children enjoy receiving stickers for things they have done well and they proudly

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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 show these off. Children are encouraged to use good manners and the childminder is an effective role model for them to follow.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective partnership with parents clearly supports children in their time at the setting. The childminder is aware of the differing needs of the families she provides a service to, and she is flexible to meet these needs wherever possible. Daily communication between parents and the childminder ensures all relevant information is shared. Very young children take home a book each day with key information, such as meals, nappy changes and activities, to support any verbal information given. The childminder records children's activities through photographs and anecdotes, and she is beginning to record individual children's progress, although this is not yet in place or shared with parents. Parents express their satisfaction at the service provided and the standard of care for their children, and they also provide their written consent for most relevant aspects of their children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Excellent organisation of the children's care ensures individual needs are properly met. The childminder has a very clear understanding of her role and she is enthusiastic and motivated in her work with the children, which in turn encourages the children to be interested in what they do. Time is planned according to the routines of the children attending, such as school collections, and the childminder manages the needs of mixed ages of children well. Space is extremely well used to the children's advantage, with different areas available depending upon the activities taking place.

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Organisation

Documentation which supports the practice is meticulously presented and up to date, with excellent regard for confidentiality of information. The childminder keeps fully up to date with relevant changes to her work, such as the Early Years Foundation Stage, and makes any necessary preparations. A professional portfolio of information is filed for parents to illustrate how the setting is run.

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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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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): • discuss the use of the outdoor area with parents and obtain their consent to use this area • continue to develop children's individual records and devise ways to share these 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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