Childminder in North Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY305601 Inspection date 05 December 2005 Inspector Anne Daly

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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 satisfactory. 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 four year old child in Colchester, Essex. The whole of the premises is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, currently minding three children under five years, three between five and eight years and one child over eight years , all part time. The childminder walks to the local school and nursery to take and collect children. The childminder attends a parent and carer toddler group. The family has two dogs and a guinea pig.

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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.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene through daily routines and by following the childminder’s sound hygiene procedures, such as washing hands regularly to avoid cross-infection. The childminder’s very simple sickness policy is shared with parents to prevent the spread of infection by ensuring that they know when to keep their unwell children at home. Children are appropriately cared for and made comfortable when they are unwell while in her care. The childminder can deal with children's minor injuries because she is trained in administering first aid. However, children are not fully protected as she has not yet requested parental written agreement for her to seek medical advice prior to the emergency services arriving. The childminder ensures that pets do not pose a health risk to children. Children enjoy eating nutritious, balanced meals supplied by the childminder or their

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Helping children to be healthy

parents. They are encouraged to make healthy choices, such as eating fruit at snack times. Drinks are freely available during the day. The childminder gathers information from parents about any allergies or dietary requirements to ensure children’s individual needs are effectively met. Babies are given the opportunity to enjoy their food and to become independent in feeding themselves. Children take part in physical exercise each day to contribute to good health. Regular visits to the park and walks to and from school enable them to exercise and to play in the fresh air. They have opportunities to jump, climb and balance when using a range of outdoor equipment. Children are allowed to rest and sleep according to their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to self select activities from a range of toys and equipment meeting required safety standards and children’s developmental needs. The childminder rotates equipment and ensures that toys and books are age and stage appropriate. Children play freely in a safe environment, because the childminder is vigilant in identifying risks and in considering the children’s ages, such as ensuring that all lower electrical sockets are covered. They are transported in a vehicle with appropriate documentation and the childminder has requested parents’ written permission to take their children in her vehicle, but not on outings. Children learn how they can keep themselves safe, such as by practising the Highway Code during their walks to and from school. However, the childminder has not practised fire drills with children to ensure that they know what to do if the smoke alarms sound.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of the need to safeguard children, who are only collected by

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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 authorised persons. She is aware of the need to implement appropriate procedures if she has concerns for a child’s safety, although she does not record any existing injuries when she receives a child into her care. Her written child protection statement does not reflect current Government guidance, such as 'What To Do If You're Worried a Child Is Being Abused', to ensure parents are made fully aware of her child protection role and responsibility.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle at the childminder’s home, where activities allow them opportunities to play and learn independently. They are able to make decisions about their play and learning by freely choosing from a range of active or relaxing activities. Children of school age use their initiatives as they enjoy producing and performing their own plays. They enjoy acquiring new knowledge and skills, particularly cooking and baking cakes. Children enjoy working with a varied range of creative materials, such as drawing, painting, sticking and play dough, to help them express their experiences, feelings and ideas in a variety of ways. Children appreciate being close to and interacting with the childminder through sharing books and singing songs. They are learning rhyme and rhythm, while developing a love of books. Children's achievements are regularly praised by the childminder to develop their confidence and to maintain their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

self-esteem. Older children respond to challenges, such as using the computer to write stories, while younger ones gain the skill of mouse control. Children are engrossed in their play, because the childminder provides a variety of age appropriate activities and resources to enable them to learn. The childminder frequently talks to children and listens to their questions and ideas. She adapts activities to meet all children’s needs. However, she has not yet seen ‘Birth to three matters’ to help her develop her knowledge and understanding of how younger children learn.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met as the childminder follows their normal routines as discussed with parents. Babies are forming positive relationships with the childminder and others through individual attention and by being taken to a toddler group. The childminder values and acknowledges children to help them find constructive solutions to the range of emotions and feelings they may experience. Appropriate praise and encouragement, such as being told that they have done well, fosters their self-esteem and helps them to feel good about themselves. Children are beginning to appreciate and value each other’s similarities and differences by the provision of some books and resources. However, there are limited

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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 activities to help them gain an awareness of other people from different cultures and with differing needs. Children are beginning to play harmoniously with each other. The childminder negotiates with them if any minor disagreements develop. She has consistent strategies regarding behaviour management to help children learn right from wrong. Children are becoming more aware of their own needs and of the needs of others by developing social skills, such as taking turns or sharing toys. Children benefit from the childminder building friendly and helpful relationships with parents. They are kept informed of their children’s experiences and progress through verbal discussion and by the childminder sharing her written daily records with them.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home and enjoy the space to move freely between the living room and an upstairs bed/play room. The childminder organises her time to ensure that she spends most of her working day completely involved with the children, who all evidently enjoy each other’s company and their time together. The day is organised to give children the opportunity to experience a range of both inside and outside activities. Records are maintained, although the childminder has not requested all the required parental consents to enable her to act in children’s best interests. Some of the required policies and satisfactory procedures are in place to ensure children’s health, safety and well-being. The childminder has attended training to develop and support her childminding practice, although she does not have a copy of the current National Standards or the associated guidance.

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Organisation

Overall the range of children’s needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints 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

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 satisfactory. 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): • keep an accurate record of any child's existing injuries • improve outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with 'Birth to three matters' • obtain all parental written consents and continue to develop policies and procedures in line with both the National Standards and associated guidance.

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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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