Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY304422 Inspection date 17 January 2006 Inspector Judith, Mary Horsfall

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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 2005. She lives with her partner and two children aged 4 years and 14 months on the outskirts of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, plus the upstairs bathroom and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five all day and one child over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local parent/toddler groups.

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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 learn the importance of personal hygiene through daily routines, such as washing hands after toileting and before food. The children are cared for in a very clean and hygienically maintained house. The childminder has prepared a highly detailed health and safety policy which contributes strongly to the well being of the children. The children are actively learning about nutritious eating because they talk with the childminder and carry out activities such as making collages and displays to promote healthy eating. The childminder provides very nourishing snacks and home made meals for children, restricting sugary snacks and sweets to reduce risk of tooth decay and obesity. Drinks and fresh fruit are readily available for children, which older children access independently throughout the session. Children have plenty of access to physical activities in the garden using age

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Helping children to be healthy

appropriate play equipment and enjoy playing on the large equipment at the toddler group or in the park. They walk to and from the nearby school each day and enjoy the fresh air and exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very welcoming, safe and secure environment. The childminder takes extensive precautions to minimise hazards to keep children safe such as a safety check carried out by the fire brigade. The play areas are extremely colourful and welcoming. Space and resources are well organised to allow children to move around freely and safely. Children use a good range of suitable and safe toys and equipment. They are kept safe on outings because the childminder has put adequate safety measures in place. Children learn to keep themselves safe through discussions about staying together, crossing roads and reading books about road safety. The childminder gives high regard to children's safety through close supervision. Her awareness of fire precautions contribute to children's safety whilst on the premises and result in children having a good understanding of fire prevention. Children are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

well protected because the childminder has a good understanding of her role in child protection and appropriate procedures to follow if needed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop confidence and self esteem through the childminder giving them

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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 purposeful praise. They are thoroughly interested in a widely varied range of activities with the childminder responding to their individual preferences. Children have an individual folder of art work and photographs which demonstrates activities throughout the year such as Halloween, trips to farms and visiting the park, providing a practical record of their development and experiences. Children acquire new skills and knowledge from time spent with the childminder discussing colours, numbers and countries of the world. They learn about counting from singing rhymes, playing games and making music. Children are encouraged to make positive relationships through understanding the needs of each other. They freely make choices in their play and pursue their interests, such as selecting a favourite toy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Resources are very well organised to help children become independent learners. Children are happy and settled because the childminder gives them individual care and attention, such as sitting on the floor and chatting purposefully with the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop confidence and self esteem through the childminder giving them regular praise. They are mostly interested in a sufficiently varied range of activities which assist in their development and learning. Children have restricted opportunities to learn about equal opportunities and this limits their knowledge of the wider world, particularly in the areas of gender and disability. Children are welcomed into the childminding home and the childminder has a knowledge and understanding of disability issues which benefits disabled children and their families. The childminder is consistent in dealing with behaviour issues which results in the children learning about acceptable behaviour boundaries. They are encouraged to respect each other and develop good manners. Children are settled because the childminder gives them individual care and attention. Parents are given regular verbal, video and photographic feedback about

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are safe and protected through the childminder's awareness of the vetting of household members. She maintains adequate ratios, thus improving the safety of children. The childminder organises time, space and resources well to meet children's needs. Children benefit from visits to facilities in the local community such as the toddler and park. Their care and well being are enhanced through the childminder's commitment to broadening her knowledge and skills through further training.

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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 All required documentation is up to date, shared with parents and kept confidentially. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection an action was raised to ensure the premises were kept secure and that children were unable to leave them unsupervised. The premises are now secure and children cannot leave the house and garden unless supervised.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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): • continue to develop activities, resources and policy in relation to equal opportunities

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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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