Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY311498 Inspection date 24 February 2006 Inspector Andrea Rockett

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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 has been registered since 2005 and lives with her family. The home is situated in the village of Ackworth and is close to local shops, schools and parks. The ground floor is used for caring for children. Toilet facilities are on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to provide care for six children under 8 years of age and there are currently two on-roll. The family have two pet cats.

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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 qualified instructor for horse riding for the disabled and a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in an environment that is clean and tidy. The childminder actively promotes good hygiene practises to prevent the spread of infection and to keep children healthy. For example, by ensuring that children wash their hands before eating, baking and after visiting the toilet. Effective measures are in place to reduce cross-contamination as children have their own hand towels. Details are in place, which are shared with parents, for the exclusion of sick children to prevent cross-contamination. Healthy eating is promoted with children being offered fresh fruit at meal and snack times, which is essential for their wellbeing and healthy growth. The childminder takes account of parent's wishes, so that children's individual health and dietary requirements are met successfully, for example, children decide whether they would like white or brown bread. Mealtimes are social occasions where everyone sits at the

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Helping children to be healthy

table to eat their meals. Nutritional and healthy food is discussed as children enjoy baking activities, for example, when they mix different ingredients together. A selection of activities are offered to children, which contributes to their good health as they enjoy going for walks and visiting the local garden centre. Opportunities are available with parental permission for children to visit stables, feed horses and learn about grooming them. Fine motor skills are developed as children use handheld whisks when baking and scissors and coloured pencils during craft activities. Children show an awareness of space as they move with confidence in the home.

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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 clean home where risks are identified and minimised, which allows them to move around safely and independently. For example, all hazardous products are stored out of the reach of children. Furniture and equipment is of a suitable design and conforms to safety requirements. Children independently select from a range of toys and resources, which promotes their decision making skills. For example, Lego bricks and craft activities. The childminder rotates toys and activities regularly to maintain children's interests and to vary their experiences. The childminder explains safe practises, for example,"don't go near the oven when baking or you may burn yourself", which develops children's awareness of cause and effect. Children learn about what is dangerous, however, they do not practise an emergency escape plan. The childminder is safety conscious and performs regular

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

risk assessments in the home to maintain the safety of children, for example, external doors are locked when everyone is present. She reminds children of internal hazards

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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 and how the patio doors can trap fingers due to the sliding mechanism used to open them. Procedures for child protection are clearly understood by the childminder and she recognises this is her first priority. For example, children are never left alone with other adults who have not been vetted. Children are taught about road safety when on outings, which increases their ability to assess risk. The childminder uses appropriate car seats and belts when transporting children in her car to ensure that they remain safe. Contact numbers are taken with the childminder at all times in case of emergencies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy attending the childminders home and are confident in their surroundings. The childminder has a calm and caring manner and is very attentive and sensitive towards each child's individual needs. A varied range of activities are offered which helps children to extend their learning and development. For example, they regularly engage in baking activities. Language development is promoted as they talk about whisking lumps out of mixtures and how to follow instructions on the sides of cake boxes. They mention textures and numbers and decide how long it will take the buns to cook, these experiences enable children to develop and learn effectively. The childminder involves children in real life experiences, for example they visit the garden centre and coffee shop. This gives children the opportunity to be part of their local community and learn about their environment. Hand-eye coordination is

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

developed as children draw around stencils and engage in various craft activities. Children relax and are comfortable in the childminders home, for example, they enjoy watching children's programmes on television after their day at school. Knowledge and understanding of measurement is highlighted as the childminder explains to children about how 'hands' are used to measure the height of horses. Good caring relationships between the childminder and children are evident; they communicate easily with each other and this helps the children to enjoy and achieve. The childminder takes positive steps to find out what interests each child and how much they know and can do, this enables her to plan activities successfully.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Behaviour is good and children are becoming aware of their boundaries, for example, they know that they must help tidy away one set of toys before getting out more. This reinforces their awareness of routine and what is expected of them. Children take turns and share tasks with the childminder, for example, when feeding and caring for the cats, this promotes their awareness of being considerate and respectful to animals. The childminder has a good awareness of special needs and disabilities and

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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 successfully creates an inclusive provision for all. The childminder is calm and consistent and children follow her example, and respond well to her care. She treats children with equal concern and aims to help children recognise and value diversity, however, toys, resources and activities are limited and do not promote the multicultural society. Praise is freely given to children, ensuring that they develop confidence and self-esteem and understand when they have done well. The childminder takes children to the local shop for an occasional treat, for example, sweets or a comic. A positive relationship is established with parents and they are informed of their child's care through verbal daily discussions, for example, about the snacks and activities provided. Most written parental permissions are in place and recordings are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

in place and up-to-date. The childminder works with parents wishes to ensure that all children's individual needs are met successfully. She is flexible and adapts her working day to meet parents different working patterns.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home, settled and at ease in the relaxing and welcoming environment. They move freely around the setting demonstrating confidence and independence, for example, when baking, children know where to find ingredients. The childminder organises her working week to enable her to collect children from school. Regular verbal communication ensures that the parents and the childminder enjoy a positive working relationship. The register is up-to-date, however, policies and procedures are not fully developed and the registration certificate is not displayed. Documentation is stored to maintain confidentiality and security. Overall the setting meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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 may contain others 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): • ensure the emergency escape plan is practised regularly • obtain written parental permission for emergency medical treatment or advice and to transport children in a vehicle • develop toys, resources and activities to promote equal opportunities • review the complaints policy and procedures to ensure they are in line with requirements implemented in October 2005 • ensure the registration certificate is displayed.

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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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