Childminder in York

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY102918 Inspection date 18 October 2005 Inspector Jane Elizabeth O'Callaghan

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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 has been registered since 2002. She lives with her husband and two daughters, aged 8 and 10 years old. She is in walking distance of schools, parks and local shops. The playroom, kitchen, downstairs toilet and fully enclosed garden are used for childminding purposes. The family have a pet dog. The childminder is registered to care for a total of four children under 8 years. At present there are seven children on roll, all on a part time basis.

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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 and also local childminding group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children enjoy a wide range of activities, both indoors and outdoors, for example, on sit and rides, rockers, playhouse and trips to parks and places of interest. This contributes to the development of children's good health and physical skills. The children are beginning to learn about a healthy and nutritious diet. They are encouraged to eat fresh fruit and vegetables, also to help choose their snacks. The children are explained to how healthy the food is for them and the importance of having drinks. For example, when it is warm and children have been busy. This enables children to understand the importance of eating a healthy and nutritious diet. The childminder ensures that all children's dietary needs are met through discussion with parents about children's allergies, likes and dislikes. Children learn about the importance of washing their hands after outdoor play and

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Helping children to be healthy

before meals. For example, the children explained that they wash hands to get rid of any nasty germs, before snacks and after going to the toilet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a spacious home where risks are identified and minimised. This ensures that children are in a warm, welcoming and safe environment. The children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. They are able to choose from a safe, clean and extensive range of toys, equipment and activities. The children are beginning to understand how to keep themselves safe both within the home and on outings, for example, practicing of fire drills and holding of hands on outings. The childminder has all the required documents and procedures in place, ensuring children's welfare is safeguarded at most times. The childminder ensures the children's welfare is paramount. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has attended a child protection course.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children settle extremely well at the childminders house, freely moving around and choosing from a excellent range of toys, equipment and activities. These are easily accessible and encourage the children to develop in all areas of learning with a

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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 very good extensive range. For example, outside children access a rocker, a sit n ride, dolls and a playhouse. The children also have access to a vast selection of toys, equipment and activities inside that meets all ages and stages of development. For example, extensive dressing up, jigsaws, books, creative play, construction and much more, helps develop the child's imagination. Children are also encouraged to recognise colours and numbers through excellent interaction and leading questions and responses from the childminder. Children are developing very well in their mathematical area, by learning about different shapes, numbers, colours through again excellent interaction from the childminder. For example, the childminder asked the children present "what colour is your fairy

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

dress?", to which the child answered and recognised the colour "pink". The childminder has photo's displayed which shows the children doing other enjoyable and extensive activities such as making their own dressing up, baking and sticking, thus developing the children's creative style. The children respond extremely well to story time, joining in and choosing from a superb range of books all easily accessible by children. Children are very happy and having a lot of fun choosing from the broad range of toys and equipment and activities that are available for them. These meet the extensive range of children's needs and stages. Children are learning about the wider world through trips to parks, places of interest and also through toys and activities. The children join in activities enthusiastically, for example children dressing up as a fairy whilst watching a video of fairies, music and movement and lots of role play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children have access to a very good range of activities and resources to promote a positive awareness of the wider world, for example, books on different cultures, jigsaws, dressing up clothes and dolls. Children learn about the environment that they live in through visits to places of interest and celebration of festivals. The childminder has a very good working relationship with parents, offering daily diaries if requested, daily feedback and a file of some relevant information. For example, written policies on behaviour, child protection, safety, lost children and more. However the childminder does not have a complaint procedure for parents to follow. The children show care and concern for each other as they are encouraged to take turns and share. Positive behaviour and praise is given by both the children and also the childminder as a good role model, for example, 'thank you', 'please', 'good girl',

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Helping children make a positive contribution

etc. This ensures that children play well together harmoniously and behave well in a good atmosphere. The childminder would care for children with special educational needs, if required

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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 and has had a lot of experience in this area. She feels she would be able to meet needs wherever possible for example, she has good access, a downstairs toilet and is aware of the importance of working closely and confidentially with parents and other agencies where necessary.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children move around the organised environment with ease and feel at home. This means that children are confident in extending their own play and learning. All information is kept in a confidential manner and shared with parents regularly. Parents are kept informed about the service offered to their child, promoting their welfare and activities. For example, correct completing of registers, accident forms, medication forms etc, ensuring continuity of care for children. The childminder attends training and has certificates of proof and also has written policies to show both parents and inspectors, offering a professional approach to childminding. The childminder is fully aware of all the legal requirements such as, notifying of Ofsted of any changes, the completion of documentation and keeping it for a period of time. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was requested to ensure emergency escape routines are practised regularly. The childminder has an emergency evacuation plan displayed in the play room and regularly practices and records fire drills. She was also asked to make sure the water feature was made safe. The childminder has now removed the water feature, it is empty and away from the reach of children. This ensures that children are in a safe environment.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 other than those made to Ofsted.

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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 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 complaint procedure for parents.

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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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