Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY233234 Inspection date 07 November 2005 Inspector Ann Law

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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 2001. She lives with her partner and child aged 4 years in Cowlersley, near Huddersfield. The whole ground floor is used for childminding, with toilet facilities on the first floor and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is currently minding three children under 5 years during the day and six children over 5 years, before and after school and in the school holidays. She walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local childminding support group and takes children to the local park.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and well-maintained environment. The childminder actively promotes good hygiene practices to prevent the spread of infection and to keep children healthy. For example, children use liquid soap and paper towels for hand washing after using the toilet. The childminder provides nourishing snacks and meals for the children, which they clearly enjoy and children have free access to drinks promoting their independence. The childminder works closely with the parents to ensure that the meals meet the children’s individual dietary requirements and maintain their good health. Children enjoy a wide variety of physical equipment, including a climbing frame, trampoline and wheeled toys for different abilities. They are encouraged to develop their gross motor skills and move on from sit-and-ride cars to scooters, practicing their balance and co-ordination skills. Children rest according to their individual

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Helping children to be healthy

needs. For example, they can relax on beanbags and enjoy quiet time. This promotes their physical well-being.

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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 safe environment where the childminder identifies and minimises most risks. Safety items are in place, such as a safety gate and some socket covers, allowing children to move around safely, freely and independently. However, some physical activities are not fully risk assessed to ensure that all steps have been taken to keep children safe. A good range of toys and resources are well-presented for the children to facilitate safe and independent access. Minor inconsistencies are present for fire safety. Smoke alarms, a fire blanket and an emergency evacuation plan are all in place, but the emergency plan is not regularly reviewed to highlight any problems which may be encountered when practiced with the children. The childminder has a sound understanding of her responsibility within the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. Although she holds some guidance for the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedures, the childminder does not have all of required government guidance necessary to be able to fully protect and safeguard children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and secure in the welcoming environment. The rooms used for childminding are well-presented with various activities and resources set out to

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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 encourage children to initiate their own play and learning. For example, one room is presented as role play with a small kitchen, table and chairs. This allows children to develop their imitative and imaginative skills. Various craft activities are offered to the children, such as painting and modelling. The recent event of Halloween was maximised and children enjoyed making pumpkins and spiders and painting detailed pictures of Dracula. The childminder values and displays children's artwork, promoting their creativity. The children participate in regular outings, which include visits to the local childminding support group and a play gym. These allow children to develop their social skills. A decked area adjacent to the home allows children to experience fresh air and physical activity on most days. Children enjoy riding around the area on bikes

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and scooters, developing their spatial awareness and responding appropriately to the 'traffic lights'. This means that children are developing a positive attitude to exercise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into the home and experience a sense of belonging through the displays of their named artwork, which raises their self-esteem. They are valued and respected as individuals and have their needs well met. The childminder ensures that the resources borrowed from the toy library help children to learn about the wider world. As a result, children have access to a good range including jigsaws and small world figures which promote differences in a positive light. Relationships between the children are good and adult support from the childminder encourages children to respect each other by reminding them to share the fruit at snack time. The children have written their own ground rules for behaviour and these are displayed in the home. This means that children are encouraged to think about and practice agreed codes of behaviour. The childminder works in partnership with parents to offer good care to children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although a basic range of written information is available for parents regarding the service offered, the childminder does not request all the permissions necessary to fully ensure consistency of care for the children. Daily verbal exchanges take place to ensure that parents receive general information, in an informal way, regarding their time with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The generally effective organisation of the environment allows children to make choices about their activities. The childminder manages her time well to meet the individual needs of the children in relation to snacks, playing and resting. The childminder's knowledge of the required documentation is sometimes inconsistent. As a result, the medication forms are not fully effective in ensuring

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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 continuity of care with regard to any medication administered and parents are not fully consulted regarding all areas of the provision. A reasonable approach to training is demonstrated by the childminder and she attends any legally required training courses. This contributes to the health, safety and well-being of the children in her care. 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 asked to increase the range of activities and resources to promote equal of opportunity; to increase the equipment to meet the needs of all children and to develop her knowledge of behaviour management. These have all been addressed satisfactorily. The childminder regularly uses the local toy library to ensure she has a sufficient range of toys and resources to cater for all the children in her care and that they reflect the diversity of our society. A range of equipment has been purchased to ensure that the childminder can meet the physical needs of all the children she is caring for. The childminder sought advice from a local childminding group regarding behaviour management and subsequently encouraged the children to devise their own ground rules for acceptable behaviour. These measures have enhanced the quality of the care that the children receive and contribute to their physical, social and

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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):

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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 • extend the risk assessment for the use of the large trampoline to include: obtaining parent's consent for the children to use the equipment and check with the childminding insurance company to ensure coverage for this type of activity • obtain written permission from parents to transport children in a vehicle • improve the documentation for health to include obtaining parent's acknowledgement for any medication administered.

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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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