Robinson, Joanne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY284189 Inspection date 17 March 2006 Inspector Marian Bvumburai

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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 has been registered since 2004. She lives in Kingston-upon-Hull with her husband and two children aged 2 and 6 years. Minded children have access to the sitting-room, and kitchen/dinning on ground floor of the home. Children do not access the first floor for any reason as there is toilet and hand washing facilities on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder does not provide overnight care. The childminder is a member of NCMA.

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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 family have one rabbit and a tropical fish.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The children are able to play and learn, in a very warm and clean environment. Very good, effective procedures are used by the childminder, ensuring high standards of hygiene and cleanliness are maintained throughout. For example, carpets are hovered regularly and floors mopped before children arrive. This enables younger and less mobile children to crawl and roll around in safety on carpets and laminated floors. Nappy changing occurs in the spacious downstairs toilet area, the changing matt is wiped with Dettol. The children and the childminder wash their hands. The childminder talks to children about what she is doing and why. This practice helps to reduce the risk of cross-contamination when nappy changing takes place. Children are also encouraged to wash hands after their nappies have been changed to help them learn and familiarise themselves with this routine. Children benefit from a very healthy diet that is well balanced and nutritious and

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Helping children to be healthy

complies with individual dietary needs and parental wishes. The childminder holds a food hygiene certificate and her good understanding of hygienic issues in the kitchen ensures good practice is followed in the handling, preparation and the storage of food. A weekly menu is displayed on the parents notice board. Older children ask for drinks spontaneously, and younger children and babies are offered drinks with regularity. For example, children were observed enjoying a drink of water with their snack. They make choices about the healthy snack of fresh and dried fruit, or yoghurts available to them on a daily basis. For example, at the inspection, I observed the children choosing fruits and how they wanted them served. They ate and enjoyed chopped bananas and oranges, asking for second helping. A 2-year-old says she likes fruits because they taste nice and make her grow big. The children are beginning to learn about the importance of keeping themselves

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Helping children to be healthy

healthy. For example, children have a clear understanding of the reasons why they must wash their hands and know this reduces the spread of germs. A 2-year-old child told me that “if you do not wash hands you will have germs and they will make your tummy poorly.” There is a ‘wash your hands’ poster above the sink, designed and made by the children to remind themselves. They have daily opportunities to exercise and develop physical skills using out door play equipment, such as bikes, sand and water trays, regular walking to and from schools. Children are able 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 good. The provision is good. The childminder identifies and minimises risks for children in the home and uses safety equipment very well. Overall, she organises space very

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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 effectively, enabling children to move around safely and freely. However, the child-size table which is used during craft and snack time takes up a lot of space, significantly reducing free movement to access the toilet area. Younger children are beginning to understand about keeping themselves safe and know how this can be achieved. For example, by not putting items in their mouths, or running in the home. The children recently attended the fire station, having a session with the fire officer. However, the childminder should ensure children have opportunities to familiarise themselves with the emergency fire evacuation procedure. The children are well supported and encouraged by the childminder who offers gentle reminders to those younger children just learning to understand. Children recognise

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

that they need to be extra careful when moving around close to less mobile others and that smaller pieces of equipment are not suitable when younger children are present. They understand that running around may cause them to fall and hurt themselves or others. For example, there were 2-year-olds present during the inspection; one of whom is less mobile than the other. The children carefully negotiated their way around this child as he enjoyed lying down on the carpet. Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder organises resources and ensures that they are appropriate and safe for the children's age and stage of development. She has most of the necessary documentation in place to promote children's welfare and holds a current first aid certificate, has appropriate insurances and has devised a personal emergency procedure. She has a sound knowledge of all

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

guidance for the protection of children, as defined in line with local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children are happy and settle very quickly on arrival at the childminder's house, and are happy. They leave their parents confidently and make themselves at home. They know their peers and relate well to each other and are well behaved. They socialise with each other and have opportunities to socialise with a wider circle of other children through regular attendance at local toddler groups and childminder network mornings. They enjoy learning through play, are provided with a wide range of resources and offered a varied range of activities, such as dancing to music and physical exercise. The children also play instruments, paint, bake and take part in model making; all of which contributes to their creativity. For example, I observed the children gluing and sticking cuttings of a variety of fruits onto paper plates. They were being challenged by the childminder to mention the piece of fruit and say the colour

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of the fruit. The children also counted how many fruits they had on their plate. They also have regular opportunities to visit local places of interest, such as recently visiting the local fire station. There is plenty of evidence of children at play in different environments, mostly presented in photographs. Children develop their independence, as they choose between a good variety of toys, books and activities. All the activities are suitable for all the children and are easily

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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 accessible. The childminder adapts activities, such as singing, story telling and creative crafts to the ages and ability of the children and to enhance their learning. Children listen and respond to stories and songs with great pleasure and are fully immersed in imaginative play. For example, they fully concentrated and completed their task of preparing the ‘pretend’ plates of fruit, during the ‘gluing and sticking’ play. The children benefit from consistent support, praise and explanations. This encourages children to become independent to learn what they can do and know when to ask for help. Children are happy, confident, and at ease. They are given the time to talk and respond to questions enabling them to develop effective communication skills and express their point of view. For example, the children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

contribute to activity planning, being able to talk about what they would like to do or choose from the list of suggestions, and they are also able to suggest what sort of resources the childminder should obtain. Childminders in the area are being given some money by Early Years, and she asked the children what they should spend it on. The children have come up with and written the ground rules and these are pinned up on the noticeboard, which helps them feel valued.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder helps to children to feel at ease and at home, in her home. For example, photographs of her own children and minded children are displayed on the low window seal. Children are able to see themselves and feel a sense of belonging, and confidently point out where they are in the photograph as well as naming all they other children in it. She increases children’s awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, there are posters of different families of different races. She also has resources, such as dolls, jigsaws, books and videos which depict positives images of all of our society. She uses these resources well to increase their knowledge and understanding in this area. The childminder utilises the library service with regularity as well as the local toy lending scheme. Children learn about their local community as they visit places of interest such as fire station, farm,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the local childminding network play sessions, as well as routine outings to the library and local parks. Children and parents are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder meets the children’s needs very well. They follow their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents, who are kept well informed about the provision. For example, activities for the week are pinned up on the noticeboard and so are menus and a copy of the last newsletter. Children show care and concern for each other, and play well together. The children behave well, because boundaries are explained very effectively at their level of understanding. They enjoy each others company. Children feel at home in their surroundings and the child friendly environment is warm and welcoming. Children confidently decide what they want to do, helping themselves to toys and equipment. The children freely ask for assistance or anything else. For

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Helping children make a positive contribution

example, they asked for more fruit after they had had the first helping during snack time. They have daily opportunities to be active and rest, independently deciding

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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 when the time is right to rest.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at ease in the warm and secure environment; they are happy and settled. Well organised resources and activities ensure children freely move around the home, making independent choices about their play and learning. The effective use of the childminding policies and procedures promote the welfare of children. For example, she has a comprehensive system for dealing with complaints of a copy is given to parents. Complaints made by parents are acted upon and this information is recorded in a complaint’s book. The childminder uses effective methods of communicating with parents and regularly shares children's progress and keeps them well informed about their child's day. This ensures parental wishes are being respected, followed and kept up to date. She keeps required information secure; however, current arrangements for storage do not make these inaccessible to others

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Organisation

who may wish to take an unauthorised interest. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has attended the relevant first aid course and keeps the certificate readily available for inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Complaints since the last inspection A complaint was received on 03/10/2005 regarding National Standard 1, Suitable person in relation to a member of the household. The allegation was investigated by social services who closed the case on 26/10/2005. An Ofsted childcare inspector visited the childminder on 28/10/2005. The childminder agreed to the following actions: 1) Ensure incidents relating to children's health and safety are documented. 2) Ensure that Ofsted are informed of any significant events that may affect the safety and welfare of any child in your care. The childminder remains qualified for registration.

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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 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 children have opportunities to familiarise themselves with the emergency fire evacuation procedure. • ensure that confidential records about minded children are stored safely out of anyone else’s reach.

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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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