Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY255476 Inspection date 02 February 2006 Inspector Frances Turner

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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 2003 and is registered to work with an assistant. She lives with her family including two children, in the Marsden area of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. The whole of the home is used for childminding. Outdoor play is accessed locally. The childminder takes and collects children to and from a local school. The childminder is registered to care for no more than five children at any one time and currently cares for five children on a part time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 outstanding. Children's health is highly promoted within a very clean and well maintained environment. The childminder has an accomplished and gifted way of increasing children's awareness of personal health and hygiene. Every opportunity is taken to talk and explain the benefits of thorough cleaning routines, effects of illness, identifying individual needs and promoting healthy eating with the children. As a result, children from a very young age become independent in hygiene routines, such as accessing tissues to wipe noses, using individual face cloths and towels and identifying their own health needs such as rest, hunger and illness. They recognise healthy foods and begin to understand food groups and nutrients vital for growth and development. The childminder meets all first aid requirements. Children are well nourished. Agreements with parents ensure that all children's needs

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Helping children to be healthy

are met and that they eat only healthy high quality foods taking into account recommended guidelines for fruit and vegetables. Frequent discussions and baking sessions enable children to learn about the food they eat and where it comes from. Mealtimes are extremely sociable occasions where children benefit highly from conversation with adults. Children's likes and dislikes are positively acknowledged and openly discussed. For example, the childminder acknowledges that a child does not like crusts on bread but helps the child to see the goodness within the crusts and the whole grains of the bread and how this provides energy for play. Children receive plenty of opportunities to be physically active throughout the day. Frequent outdoor activities include outings to the local park where children practise skills using the apparatus, walks to explore the locality and ball games. This provides children with good amounts of fresh air and exercise to promote development,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well supervised and cared for in a welcoming, safe and secure home. They benefit from the good use of safety equipment such as fire guards, socket covers and gates. They explore within safe surroundings using high quality age appropriate toys and equipment. Written safety policies and procedures include fire drills and accident records that are shared with parents. Gentle adult reminders and daily tasks help children learn about personal safety. Frequent discussions regarding suitable toys means that young children consider the safety of babies when selecting resources and activities. Through transport in the car and school collections children learn about vehicle and road safety. The childminder protects children from possible abuse and neglect. Children are cared for by suitable adults and a clear professional knowledge is held regarding

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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 child protection. The childminder holds appropriate procedures and contact details to protect the welfare of children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time and activities with the childminder. They are happy and settled in her care and as a result have very positive and respectful relationships. Children are confident and helped to achieve by the childminder who understands, plans for and promotes all areas of development. A wide range of good quality play provision is available, the labelling of which, helps children develop early reading skills and independently select. Children benefit from a stimulating environment both indoors and outside. They make full use of toys such as jungle animals, cars, action figures, play food and books to continually invent and extend imaginative play situations. Children confidently initiate their own learning. They know all the provision available and concentrate on self-chosen activities for good lengths of time. They are polite and considerate to each other, sharing and joining in play together. The childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

questions and extends children's play well, encouraging them to think, recall and talk about what they see and do. As a result, children are skilled communicators who converse with others and can explain their own needs. The childminder respects the independence of older children attending. They benefit from relaxed and informal care after school where they have opportunities to play separately from younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are helped to consider and value diversity. Planned activities and outings alongside suitable play provision enhances children's awareness of the wider world. Children explore Chinese New Year as they make lanterns and banners and watch specific informative programmes on television. They learn about faith on visits in the local area to places of worship. Individual feelings and reactions to events are discussed honestly using books for prompts. This successfully helps children to understand and cope with changing emotions. The childminder holds children in high regard and encourages them to positively contribute continually within the setting. They choose their own activities and play provision from the wide selection available, talk about home and are at ease with daily routines. The childminder carefully considers each child's individual needs, likes and dislikes within the care provided. As a result, children are confident, settled and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

hold good relationships with others. Children's behaviour is good. From an early age they understand and positively respond to the consistent house rules. In return, the childminder praises and encourages all contributions such as conversation, sharing and carrying out tasks.

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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 This increases children's self-esteem. The childminder has a good partnership with parents. Most required information, with the exception of a complaints log, is openly shared and agreed between both parties. Through the childminder's portfolio, parents receive plenty of information about the setting. Agreements for individual care take into account child development and any special needs and are regularly reviewed to ensure appropriate care is provided. Daily verbal information is used to update parents about children's activities and create an effective transition between the setting and home.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her space, time and resources to meet the individual needs of all children attending. Routines and care needs are successfully incorporated throughout the day. The childminder makes the best use of her time to support children in their play. The indoor and outdoor environment are well planned to promote all areas of children's development and ensure children receive frequent outdoor opportunities. Children are cared for by a qualified and knowledgeable practitioner. They benefit from her good understanding of child development and ability to plan an interesting and stimulating environment. Adult child ratios are maintained to enable good individual support for all children. The childminder keeps most required documentation and frequently reviews this with parents. Records are stored confidentially within the home and used to promote the safety and welfare of children in her care. Overall, the setting meets the needs of all

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder received recommendations to improve the play provision to positively reflect equal opportunities and to provide and practice fire drills with children. Frequent planned art and craft activities, access to a local toy library and visits to places of faith and worship now increase children's awareness of the diverse society. A detailed written fire drill including records of practices is maintained and shared with parents to significantly enhance children's safety.

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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 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): • provide a complaints log that is shared with 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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