Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY367373 Unique Reference Number 07 July 2008 Inspection date Alexandra Cole 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 satisfactory. 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 partner and two children aged four and six years in the Netherton area of Huddersfield. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. She picks up children from the local schools and pre-schools. She takes children to the local library and parks. The childminder is registered to care for four children and is currently caring for three children that attend for a variety of sessions. The family has pet rabbits.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their good health. For example, every day they walk to and from the local school as well as routine outings to the park and places of local interest. Children are able to move freely within the home and they have a close relationship with the childminder who is caring and responsive to them. This helps children to feel confident to explore their surroundings and use their bodies to develop physical skills.

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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 are protected from illness and infection because a clear sickness policy ensures children with contagious illnesses are excluded from the setting. Arrangements for first aid and administering medication are in place, meet requirements and protect children. However, written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment has not been obtained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm clean home where suitable hygiene practices and routines are implemented by the childminder. For example, children are encouraged to wash their hands after contact with pets and before mealtimes. The childminder provides a good example through following suitable hygiene procedures, such as wearing disposable gloves during nappy changes. Children benefit from continuous hydration as they have free access to their drinks at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished because the childminder takes into account the wishes of parents to provide nutritious meals and snacks that meet their dietary needs. The childminder has gathered information regarding how to ensure children are provided with five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. To contribute towards this required food quota children are provided with fresh fruit on a daily basis. The childminder turns eating into an enjoyable activity, such as when she instigates giving a doll some fruit at snack time and encourages children to look for a plate and other utensils for the doll.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment. The childminder maintains her home in a good state of repair and decoration, and the layout of the furniture provides children with space so that they can play safely. Children are able to independently select toys and resources from a wide range of good quality resources that conform to safety requirements. Resources are well organised and stored at child-height, encouraging choice and promoting independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a home where positive steps are taken to promote safety and keep children safe. For example, the childminder has undertaken a written risk assessment in order to minimise risks and make the environment a safe place in which children can play and learn. However, written permission from parents for transportation in a vehicle has not been obtained for all of the children in attendance. The childminder encourages children to learn how to keep themselves safe through regular prompts and reminders. For example, as she explains to children why they should not stand on one of the toys in order to prevent them from falling over.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Suitable precautions are in place so that children are protected from fire. For example, smoke alarms, a fire blanket and a fire evacuation procedure are in place. Although the childminder has practised the fire evacuation procedure with children, this is not carried out on a regular basis which does not fully ensure children understand the course of action to take in an emergency. Children are well protected because the childminder understands her role in child protection and is able to put relevant procedures into practice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminders house. They are secure and confident in their surroundings. Very warm and caring relationships are apparent between the childminder and children, contributing towards their sense of belonging. The childminder responds to children's individual needs effectively and directs them to items of interest. An example of this is when

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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 draws attention to the birds in the garden and the rabbits coming to the front of the hutch to eat their food.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good understanding of children's needs and informally plans activities to ensure children enjoy a good range of experiences that meet their developmental needs. The activities provided are stimulating and interesting and the childminder uses them to further challenge children's understanding. For example, an activity of reading a well known story about a caterpillar is extended through children then making a butterfly using a wide range of creative materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is skilled in watching children's play and is able to provide well timed and appropriate intervention. For example, when children are struggling to put the doll in the pushchair she allows them time to develop their perseverance skills and intervenes at the children's request. The childminder constantly uses opportunities to extend children's play in order to further challenge them. An example of this is when a conversation about a toy doll hurting themselves leads to the childminder providing equipment, such as the make believe medical set, and children happily take this opportunity to make the doll 'better'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals and their individual needs are met well. The childminder knows the children in her care and adapts appropriately to their differing needs. She provides a suitable range of activities to promote a positive view of the wider world in order to increase children's understanding of diversity and their awareness of others. For example, the children have access to a range of books and resources that reflect diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is able to use suitable strategies to manage children's behaviour, such as distraction and redirection to other activities. Incidences of conflict are successfully minimised by the childminder redirecting the incident into a positive experience. For example, when children unstrap themselves from a booster chair the childminder asks them to help her strap them back in again. The childminder uses sound strategies to promote good behaviour. Fro example, a reward chart is used to reinforce and promote positive behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnerships with parents are positive. The childminder respects parents wishes and keeps them well informed by giving them detailed written information about her service. Children settle well because she works closely with parents to gather information about their individual care needs. Parents are kept well informed about their child's progress through the use of a daily diary as well as informal discussion. This ensures that there is regular information being shared with parents, promoting continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. All of the documentation required for the safe and suitable management of children is in place and appropriate. However, the procedures for completing the attendance record are not followed correctly. The policies and procedures are used appropriately and are well organised, promoting the care and welfare of young children. The childminder has completed all of the necessary background checks to ensure that all adults living at the premises are suitable to be around young children.

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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 The space and resources are well organised to enable children to participate in a good range of activities. The required adult to child ratios are met and provide suitable levels of care and support. In response, children are secure and confident in their surroundings. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of 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 satisfactory. 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): • follow the procedures for completing the attendance record correctly • obtain written permission for transporting children in a vehicle for all of the children in attendance • obtain written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice • ensure the fire evacuation procedure is practised with 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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