Childminder in North Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY305768 Inspection date 29 November 2005 Inspector Alison Margaret Walker

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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 husband and two children aged 20 months and 4 years in Boroughbridge. The whole of the ground floor, first floor bathroom, computer room and second bedroom are used for childminding purposes and there is a courtyard available supervised outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children aged between 14 months and 4 years on a part time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from a local school. The family have two cats. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding

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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 Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are encouraged to practise very effective health and hygiene routines. The childminder gives them constant reminders and takes thorough steps to prevent cross infection. The children have a very good understanding of why they need to wash their hands after toileting, before eating and before baking activity. They have their own hand towels and they get these and go upstairs to wash their hand independently before lunch. The childminder is a good role model and washes her own hands after toileting, nappy changing and before food preparation. Effective arrangements are in place for first aid and administering medication, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and there is a fully stocked first aid kit available plus a separate one for outings. The childminder's child sickness policy is very comprehensive and is discussed in full with all parents during initial meetings.

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Helping children to be healthy

She also requests written permission from them to seek emergency advice or treatment. The children are provided with healthy drinks throughout the day and these are easily accessible to them. They receive an excellent range of well balanced and nutritious meals and snacks, such as pasta with organic sauce, fresh broccoli, freshly grated parmesan cheese, apple, orange and pomegranate. Meals are provided in line with the children's individual dietary needs and parent's wishes. Children enjoy a very broad range of activities which contribute to their good health. Regular outdoor play and visits to local parks improve the children’s physical skills. They enjoy running, skipping, playing hopscotch and different ball games. The childminder has a very good understanding of what types of physical activities to provide and the levels of support needed to give children confidence to try out new skills and set their own limits. Children enjoy plenty of fresh air, they talk with

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Helping children to be healthy

enthusiasm about going to the park to feed the ducks, going on the slide and swings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a secure and safe environment. There is good evidence of children’s play and creative activity. The children enjoy attending very much, they settle well and are happy and confident. Space is used constructively and activities are well organised. There is suitable low-level storage so children can see what is available. Children freely select toys with confidence. They have access to a very wide selection of age appropriate toys, furniture and equipment which are safe and very well maintained ensuring that the needs of all the children attending are fully met. The childminder takes thorough steps to ensure the children's safety inside her home. All electric sockets are covered, doors are kept secure, risk assessments and

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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 fire drills are done. Her fire evacuation plan and procedure is displayed, however, all exits are not clear. She has contact details for the children close to hand so she can access these in the event of an emergency. The children are protected from persons who have not been vetted as they are closely supervised at all times by the childminder. Children are developing a keen understanding of how to keep themselves safe, for example, through practising good road safety routines. A child explains that she holds the childminder's hand, looks both ways and crosses when all the cars have gone. The childminder explains to children the importance of being safe and what the consequences might be if they did not practise safety. In the kitchen, during a baking session, the child knows not to go near the oven because she might burn herself.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required policies, procedures and documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She has an appropriate understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are developing their confidence and self-esteem exceptionally well. They are continually praised for effort and achievement and are able to freely select resources, for example, two children select large dolls house and enjoy a lovely role play activity with small world figures. Children are confidently acquiring new knowledge and skills. They relate very well to the childminder and are relaxed in her care. She gives them plenty of praise and encouragement and shows very keen interest in their play. She asks questions to make them think, one child says she is going on holiday to South Africa and the childminder asks her what animals she might see there. The child replies a snake called a black mamba and hippos sleeping in mud. A varied range of enjoyable outings are organised to local places of interest. These enable the children to find out about their local area and to explore and socialise with

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

other children. They talk enthusiastically about walking in the woods looking for fairies and to see deer in the field and they have got be quiet so they don't frighten them. A very wide variety of stimulating activities are provided that are age appropriate, challenging and interesting. The children particularly enjoy baking. They make mince pies for the school Christmas fair. They confidently roll out the pastry, use cutters to make the pies and count how many they need to cut. Both children can count to ten and beyond and do simple calculations. The childminder is highly motivated and significantly enhances the children's learning in all areas of their development.

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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 Children are developing a very good understanding of responsible behaviour. They are encouraged to be polite, to share, be kind to each other and are praised for doing so. Children are very well behaved and well mannered, they help to tidy up and set the table. The childminder has a calm approach which has a positive impact on the children. The parents have strong partnerships and trusting relationships with the childminder. They are listened to and are kept well informed about the provision and their children’s progress. The childminder also encourages parents to share information and to do several visits prior to the child starting so both parents, child and childminder can get to know each other. She works closely with all parents to meet children’s individual needs such as dietary requirements, sleep patterns and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

administration of medication. Detailed information is collected on the children, their families, likes, dislikes, religion and health history. This is regularly updated with parents. Children gain awareness of their local environment and the diversity of the wider world through a good selection of resources and activities that promote positive images. The children enjoy taking part in activities about different festivals and events.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children’s care is enhanced by effective organisation. The childminder regularly evaluates her practise and is keen to attend training to develop her knowledge, for example, Birth to three matters. She has a good working knowledge of the National Standards. She understands how to interpret them in the best interests of the children she cares for and they form the basis for her policies and procedures. She is currently developing her understanding of how the National Standards link into the new outcomes for children. All the required documentation is in place and this contributes to the good management of the childminding service she provides, however, the registration certificate is not displayed. All information on the children is stored confidentially but easily accessible if needed in an emergency. This is regularly shared with parents and updated. The children are happy, settled and confident. This is because the childminder

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Organisation

ensures the children have consistent routines. She uses her time, space and resources appropriately to create a stimulating, interesting and safe environment for the children. The children are closely supervised by the childminder and she always ensures that the adult-child ratios are maintained. The childminder is aware of all legal requirements, for example, she knows to notify Ofsted if she moves house so the necessary checks can be done. Overall the provision meets the needs of all the children that attend.

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Improvements 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 Not applicable.

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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 records 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): • ensure registration certificate is displayed • ensure all exits are kept clear.

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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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