Childminder in North Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY297785 Inspection date 01 December 2005 Inspector Debra, Elizabeth Mitcheson

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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?

This childminder has been registered since 2004. She lives with her partner and 2 children aged 4 and 6 years. They reside in the village of Sutton-in-Craven. Children have access to the lounge, dining room, toilet and rear garden used for outdoor play. An additional first floor bathroom and bedroom is also available to the children. This childminder is registered to care for 4 children at any one time. There are 5 children currently on roll, attending on a part and full time basis. She is a member of

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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 National Childminding Association and receives support from the Local Authority Early Years Partnership.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well nourished. They enjoy a variety of good nutritious meals and snacks which include fruit and vegetables. Children independently access a choice of drinks which include milk, water and apple and orange juice. Children's dietary needs are suitably recorded. The childminder is implementing appropriate hygiene practices; highlighted when changing babies’ nappies and wiping down the dining table after craft activities. Children are learning the importance of good personal hygiene by washing their hands, in the first floor bathroom, after toileting and before meals. However, this is not the case in the ground level bathroom where there is no supply of hot water. There is a varied range of resources in the outdoor area including swings, wheeled toys and slides which effectively promote the children's physical development. This is supported by trips to the local park and use of equipment at a variety of local toddler

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Helping children to be healthy

groups. Reasonable arrangements are made for the children to obtain appropriate rest and sleep. The childminder demonstrates a suitable understanding of procedures in the care of sick children. Younger children are developing emotional security and trust from positive responses from the childminder.

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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 warm, caring environment. The childminder is effectively supporting their safety with a clear emergency plan which includes fire safety. Discussions also take place with the children in relation to children not standing on furniture and them securing the lids on the free standing toy boxes, before they reach inside them for toys. This reinforces the children's understanding of their own safety. Good use of the dining area supports children's creativity. Younger children are also encouraged to participate as they sit in high chairs at this area, as they make a Christmas calendar. Presentation of other play areas and resources encourages children's involvement in a wider range of activities. There is a sufficient range of toys and resources that are readily available and conform to safety standards. The childminder is aware of her responsibilities around child protection, including an

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

awareness of possible signs of abuse or neglect and is aware of the correct procedures to follow to report an incident. This ensures that children’s welfare is safeguarded. However, the child protection policy needs to be amended to include procedures to follow with regards to allegations made against the childminder.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy being with the childminder and have developed good relationships with her. They are beginning to show respect for others which includes sharing resources. Children are confident communicators and the childminder responds effectively to their questions; for example ,'why do magnets stick to metal objects?'. Learning is actively supported by the childminder's effective questioning, highlighted in her inclusion of letter recognition and the mixing of colours, during a craft activity. They are enthusiastic in their involvement in making Christmas calendars and demonstrate good imagination when involving the younger children in playing 'mummies and daddies'. The childminder is fully aware of the children's abilities, through discussion with parents and daily observations. She provides resources which offer challenge and enjoyment to develop them physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially. As a

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

result children are engrossed in the day’s activities that provide opportunities for all children to build on their natural curiosity as learners; for example, as children display their magnetic calendars on the fridge, they spontaneously explore how magnets work. They delight as they experiment with other household appliances to establish if they are magnetic, with the support and guidance of the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are responding appropriately to the childminder's clear explanations and suitable intervention to promote positive behaviour. She reinforces the simple rules of the home that have been agreed with parents. This results in children being confident, well behaved and well mannered. Children's individual needs are met through the recording of relevant information as they begin their care and as the placement continues. The childminder issues parents with a useful information pack about the childminder's care, supported by informal sharing of information on a daily basis. However, the complaints procedure in line with recent changes in requirements should be amended and shared with parents. Attendance on a sign language course and work in the local school, as a classroom assistant, has raised the childminder's understanding of children with special needs. This means that the childminder is aware of what action to take if a child is identified

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Helping children make a positive contribution

or admitted to the setting with a special need. Children's awareness to people in their local community is developed through visits to local groups and trips out to local amenities. Awareness of the wider society is promoted by access to a satisfactory range of toys and equipment which reflect diversity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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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 The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home and at ease in an environment that fosters their development in relation to them being healthy, enjoying and achieving and how they positively contribute to the setting. This is because the childminder has good organisational skills and has a good knowledge and understanding of child development. She also applies the positive skills and experience as a classroom assistant in her childminding practice. The childminder chooses to care for small groups of children as this meets with the demands of being a part time classroom assistant and positively supporting the children's care, learning and play. Most documentation is appropriately shared and confidentiality is acknowledged and maintained. This includes documentation in relation to escorting children in her own

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Organisation

vehicle, registers, contracts, first aid and medication records and so on. This keeps parents fully informed about their child's routines and childcare practices. The overall needs of the children are met satisfactorily.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the action raised in relation to adhering to the maximum registered numbers, as shown on the certificate of registration, has been successfully addressed. Therefore adult to child ratios continue to be met which effectively meets the needs of children.

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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 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

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • amend the child protection policy to include procedures to follow, with regards to allegations made against the childminder • revise the complaints policy in line with recent changes in requirements • comply with Environmental Health requirements. This is in relation to there being no hot water supply in the ground floor bathroom.

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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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