Childminder in North Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY312852 Inspection date 08 February 2006 Inspector Katy Elizabeth Wynn

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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 was registered in 2005. She is registered to work in another setting which is not her home. This is alongside another registered childminder and an assistant. The setting is situated in Tockwith, which is a village near York, in North Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. She is registered to care for a maximum six children under eight-years-old at any one time when working alone. She is registered to care for a maximum of nine children under eight-years-old at any one time, when working with another childminder or

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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 assistant. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She currently has seventeen children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day, weather permitting, there are outdoor walks and outdoor play sessions in the rear garden. This helps children to learn physical skills and develop physical confidence, as well as enjoying the fresh air. All of the children receive a drink when they ask for one and at meal times. However, children do not have drinks of fresh water readily available to them. This means that children are not encouraged to help themselves to fresh drinking water, which is beneficial to their good health. The childminder takes good account of the wishes of parents and children's special needs. The childminder takes account of children’s choices to provide nutritious meals and snacks. Children are cared for in a warm, brightly decorated, clean home where they benefit from an excellent standard of hygiene and personal care. The children are healthy

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Helping children to be healthy

and well cared for because the childminder follows appropriate hygiene procedures. These include a daily cleaning regime and good practice in relation to food preparation. The childminder encourages the children to begin to take responsibility for their own personal care and are confident to follow hygiene routines, such as, hand washing after using the toilet. They also have a basic understanding of why they need to follow these routines; as one child explained "I wash my hands to wash the germs off".

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are very safe, as they are cared for in a welcoming home where risks are identified and minimised. Children can move about the home safely, freely and independently, as the house is very safe. The organisation of space allows the children to gain full benefit from activities available to them and take rest according to their needs. There are also good procedures to ensure safety outside of the home. The childminder is effective at obtaining written permission from parents to take the children out of the home, thus ensuring children are looked after according to their parents wishes. Children begin to learn about taking responsibility for their own safety. For example, they all help to pick the toys up when they have finished playing with them. They are also reminded by the childminder not to run in the house. All the children adhere to this.

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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 The fire evacuation plan is practised but older children are not fully aware of the procedure and the reasons why they are practising the fire drill. Children make choices, as they independently select activities from a good range of accessible, clean toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder has the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's safety. For example, the childminder has recently attended a first-aid course. Children's welfare is well protected as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children benefit from the two childminder's working together, as they can give each of the children individual attention and it enables the children to participate in activities in small groups. This allows the children to feel valued and their individual developmental needs met. Children settle well at the childminders' home. All the children were secure happy, content and relaxed in the care of both childminders. They make themselves at home and show affection for the childminder. They relate well to one another and socialise with other children at the childminder's home. They begin to develop an understanding of belonging to a group and their place in the world. The children play harmoniously together and learn to share and take turns. For example, sharing the trains out to play with the train track. The children become independent and enjoy new experiences and learning, as they

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

choose from a variety of toys, books and activities which appeal to all. Children engage confidently in their self- chosen activity. They play happily and co-operatively together. The childminder was skilful at encouraging play ideas when she sensed the children were becoming bored. For example, suggesting the children set up a teddy bear's picnic. The childminder is in the early stages of using the 'Birth to three' matters framework. The childminder plans suitable, age appropriate, enjoyable activities for the children in her care. This allows them to become more competent learners. She is well tuned-in to the needs of the children and recognises their need for quiet activities such as story time together on the sofa. She understands their normal patterns and plans her day to ensure that their needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a meaningful range of resources including books, dolls and small figures to promote a positive view of the wider world and to increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Children are introduced to their local environment through visits and walks in their community.

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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 The individual needs of the children are carefully discussed with parents, ensuring that their children are happy and well cared for. Children are known and valued as individuals. Each child has their own diary book that is shared with parents which promotes a very good partnership with all the parents. The children behave well. The childminder gently explains to children the importance of helping each other. Children begin to show care and concern for one another and play together harmoniously. Parents are valued and made welcome in the setting which ensures the children settle quickly in this warm environment. Children make themselves at home, confidently deciding what to do and seeking the childminder's attention and affection when they need reassurance. They have time to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

be active as well as to relax quietly. Their individual patterns are known and taken account of by the childminder so ensuring their good care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children benefit from a well organised and very safe environment. Space in the home is used to the child's advantage. Children are on the ground floor within the childminder's sight and hearing, thus ensuring that children are safe and feel secure. Children receive a good amount of attention from the childminder who works alongside another childminder. The childminder is conscientious about ensuring that she has information useful to her childminding service. She has completed various child related courses. Children benefit from her interest in continued learning. Records and procedures are kept satisfactorily and shared with parents, ensuring that children are well cared for. The provision meets the needs of whom it provides for.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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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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 access to drinking water at all times • ensure children are aware of the evacuation procedure and that this is practised at regular intervals • ensure an introduction to childminding practice course is attended within six months of registration.

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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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