Stead, Emma Victoria

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY306005 Inspection date 28 November 2005 Inspector Dawn Bonica Brown

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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 and works alongside two other registered childminders and an assistant in a house in Greetland, Halifax. A single storey extension of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminders and assistant are registered to care for a maximum of 10 children and are currently minding 14 children under 5 years on a part time basis. They also care for four children before and after school. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She is a member of an approved 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 network and is currently in receipt of funding for nursery education for 3 and 4 year olds. The childminder supports children with special educational needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning how to maintain personal hygiene through appropriate methods of support. For example, they routinely wash their hands before meals and use paper towels for hand drying. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows suitable hygiene practises to prevent the spread of infection. They are given appropriate care if they have an accident or if they become ill because the childminder has an adequate knowledge of first aid so that she is able to administer treatment promptly. Children are adequately protected from the spread of contagious ailments because those who are infectious do not attend. Children learn about the importance of a healthy lifestyle because they are encouraged to be physically active both inside and outside the setting. For example, the younger children are taken on daily walks in the locality and enjoy outdoor play on suitable outdoor equipment in the garden. School aged children walk home from

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Helping children to be healthy

school, play in the park in suitable weather and on the slide in the garden. Children are developing an awareness of a healthy, balanced diet as they are suitably nourished with an appropriate balance of fresh fruit and vegetables daily. They are developing a positive attitude to food and enjoy mealtimes as a social occasion. Children's individual preferences are taken into consideration so that mealtimes are a positive experience.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are developing new skills and gaining confidence in an environment that is clean, well maintained and appropriately supervised. They benefit from a suitable balance of freedom to move around the setting and supervision to protect them. Children are suitably protected and benefit from an appropriate level of risk assessments. School aged children are learning to take some responsibility for their own safety as they practise crossing roads safely on their way home from school. Children under 5 years are learning the importance of fire evacuation procedures through regular practise. However, the importance of training school aged children in the procedure has been overlooked and, as a consequence, they are not confident about what to do in an emergency evacuation. Children are suitably protected from abuse because the childminder has an appropriate knowledge of her responsibilities in line with a Area Child Protection

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Committee procedures, which means she can act quickly in the child's best interest to safeguard their welfare.

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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 satisfactory. Children are involved in a suitable range of planned activities and spontaneous events which support their development and overall learning. Babies receive suitable encouragement to develop in all areas, including messy play, physical activities, stories and singing. Children are gaining a positive awareness of others and gaining independence. Very young children are appropriately supported to take turns to choose group songs as they select an item from a bag which indicates the choice of song. For example, a toy boat represents "Row, Row, Row Your Boat". They are helpful and enthusiastic about clearing away toys between activities. School aged children enjoy being part of the setting and exercise their independence by making their own choice of activities. They have good relationships with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have good relationships with each other and are given appropriate encouragement to take turns and share toys effectively. Their self esteem and confidence is high as they are given a suitable level of individual attention to ensure that their personal needs are met. Children are well settled and demonstrate a sense of belonging; they know where resources are and very young children help themselves to toys. They are learning to consider others and to understand the behaviour that is expected from them. Children respond well to the childminder's strategies to promote good behaviour because she is knowledgeable about managing behaviour for different age groups. For example, older children are adequately supported to form their own rules for behaviour and positive behaviour is re-enforced through praise and encouragement. Children benefit from activities and resources which help them to value others and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

develop an awareness of the wide range of people and lifestyles in society. They develop self confidence as the childminder understands their individual needs and strives to meet them. The childminder promotes inclusion appropriately so that all children are involved in the range of activities provided. All children benefit from her understanding of how to care for children with special needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a suitable knowledge of child development and a confident attitude to self development. This has a positive impact on the care she provides for children. She is currently renewing her first aid certificate and has attended several relevant courses in childcare to improve her knowledge and understanding of how to

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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 protect children. She makes appropriate use of her time to support children and works efficiently with the other childminders and the assistant to give children appropriate support and individual attention. The childminder understands how to maintain records adequately and shares information with parents appropriately to provide continuity of care. Space is used appropriately to provide children with adequate freedom of movement and sufficient opportunities to make independent choices. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Complaints 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. There are no complaints to report

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that an appropriate first aid course is completed as soon as possible • improve children's safety by ensuring that all children practise an emergency escape plan.

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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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