Sorrell, Michelle Ann

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY248548 Inspection date 05 December 2005 Inspector Linda Filewood

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged 8 and 11 years old in Haxby, on the outskirts of York. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, with access to a bathroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding four children all on a part time basis. She takes and collects children from the local school and playgroup.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from becoming ill as the childminder gives high priority to ensuring that children play in a clean environment, that all resources are kept clean and are in good condition. Well-established hygiene routines and clear explanations increase the children's understanding of the importance of washing their hands to help maintain good health. Children know, for example, to wash their hands after using the toilet otherwise the germs will make them poorly. Babies are included in the hand washing routine as their hands are washed, reducing the risk of infection when they touch the bottle and teat. There are good arrangements in place to care for children who are ill whilst being cared for by the childminder and all appropriate permissions and records are in place for the recording of accidents and administering medication. However, the written sickness policy, which is shared with parents, does

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Helping children to be healthy

not include details about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious as parents are only verbally informed of this. Children's individual dietary needs are well met and the childminder co-operates well with parents to follow the children's home routines. Children are beginning to have a good understanding that certain foods are good for them and know, for instance, that too many sweets will give them toothache. Drinks are offered regularly throughout the day and children know to ask if they want one at any time. Outdoor play, using a good range of equipment and regular visits to the local parks and other amenities, improve the children's physical development and they are beginning to develop a positive attitude to exercise. Older children enjoy, for example, the fireman's pole and the slide in the park whilst younger children play safely on the equipment at the local soft play group. Children can rest and sleep

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Helping children to be healthy

according to their own needs and their parents' wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are especially well cared for in a safe environment as the childminder has a sound awareness of safety and carefully assesses risks on her premises. She takes all steps to ensure children are safe and encourages them to develop an awareness of what might be dangerous for them. They are conscious, for instance, of walking and not running and to use their ears as well as their eyes when crossing the road. Fire safety is very well considered and the childminder has all the necessary equipment and procedures in place. Very clear discussions with the children encourages them to think how they would evacuate from various rooms in the home and they have a good understanding of what to do and where to go if the smoke alarm goes off.

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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 Good safety features are in place within the home and the outdoor play space is fully enclosed to ensure that children can play in a hazard fee environment. Indoor and outdoor space is organised very skilfully and allows clear supervision of the children as they move freely and independently from one room to another. Children can access toys and equipment easily and safely giving them independence and choice. Resources are suitable for their age and development and are of good quality and in clean condition. Children are given good encouragement to tidy up as they finish each activity allowing them clear space to play safely without tripping up or breaking the toys. They are beginning to understand to use equipment safely and know, for instance, that scissors should be handled correctly and that they are not toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected as the childminder has a good, sound understanding of child protection procedures. She clearly informs parents of her duty to the child and is taking additional training on child protection awareness to enhance the level of care she gives the children. There are effective, clear systems in place for the safe collection of children and parents are made fully aware of this, further safeguarding the children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The relationship between the childminder and minded children is warm and caring, as a result the children are happy, settled and at home in their environment. They play harmoniously together whilst being equally content and secure to play on their own. Children's play is valued and the childminder is interested in what they say and do. They are given positive support, praise and encouragement which help to develop their self-esteem, confidence and independence, ensuring they are comfortable in asking for help when needed. For instance, when using the computer children choose what picture to print and are shown how to do this themselves by the childminder. The good range of activities and resources contribute well to the children's development. They are interested and absorbed in their play and are encouraged to make choices about what to play with. They enjoy craft activities and talk confidently

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

about the picture they have drawn. Their work is valued and displayed by the childminder on the walls of the playroom. The childminder uses everyday activities and play situations to talk about counting and colours, contributing well to developing the children's communication skills. For example, children talk about the Fireman Sam pictures they have printed off the computer and the colour of his boots. In addition, the childminder ensures that activities suit the individual needs of the children and provide challenge for the more able. For instance, games are adapted to stimulate children who are good at maths, and numbers, that children have problems with, are introduced regularly into activities. Children benefit from a good range of outings and planned activities that are age appropriate and stimulate their interest. For example, older children enjoy a trip to the Railway Museum and all enjoy collecting flowers and leaves on a walk to press and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

add to their individual folders. Children join in the activities provided by the local

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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 library and enjoy choosing books to bring home and read.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are becoming aware of the wider world through regular outings and learning about familiar and unfamiliar festivals. Outings are well planned; walks to school and trips to the local park are used effectively to help children learn to appreciate their local environment. All children are respected and, regardless of gender, have access to the full range of activities and resources. The childminder uses sensitive discussion to raise children's awareness of the diversity in our society but does not make full use of activities or resources to extend their understanding. Children are well behaved, busy and contented. The effective use of house rules ensures children have clear boundaries which are understood by all and they are secure in the knowledge of what is expected of them. Good use of praise for positive behaviour gives support to the children and they are given good encouragement to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

be polite, share and be gentle with younger children. Behaviour is managed in a way which is appropriate to each child's age and stage of development. The childminder has formed a close partnership with the parents, who have positive views on the service provided. This helps ensure children are settled, secure and have their needs well catered for. Parents are informed about their child's day through daily verbal exchanges of information and are given very good written information about the service the childminder provides. Home routines are discussed and a flexible settling-in period is offered by the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder makes very good use of space creating a welcoming, child friendly environment. The playroom is warm, bright and comfortable ensuring the children feel settled, relaxed and at home. Children are able to choose where to play and what resources to play with, further developing their independence. They are competently supervised at all times and older children are given time to do their homework. Outings are planned effectively into the daily routine and well-planned holiday activities keep children fully occupied. The childminder shows very good commitment to extending her knowledge, enhancing the service she offers to the children and families. The welfare, care and learning of the children is supported well as policies and procedures are extremely well written, clear and shared very effectively with parents. The childminder is especially well organised and uses documents very successfully

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Organisation

to support the care of the children and to comply with regulations. Parents are aware of their child's development through the good photographic evidence, particularly for babies and are aware that they have access to their own child's records. The childminder ensures that privacy and confidentiality is upheld at all times when

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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 dealing with children's information and sharing sensitive information with parents. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder ensured that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity. It was also recommended that she make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint and request written permission from them for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder has a positive attitude to promoting equal opportunities and is continuing to extend her activities to help children value diversity. She shows a good awareness of how best to use the resources she has, to raise the children's awareness of similarities and differences. Written permission has been obtained from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment enabling the childminder to act in the best interest of the child in an emergency. A clear, well written

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Improvements since the last inspection

complaints procedure has now been produced and is given to parents at registration adding to the already comprehensive information given to parents at this time.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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): • develop a procedure for clearly sharing a policy about the exclusion of children, who are ill or infectious, with parents • ensure that resources and planned activities encourage children to develop

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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 positive attitudes towards diversity.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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