Childminder in Calderdale

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 303589 Inspection date 08 February 2006 Inspector Shaheen Matloob

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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 November 1991. She lives with her husband and two teenage children in the Lightcliffe area of Halifax, West Yorkshire. There are schools, a park and local shops within the area and the childminder also uses a car for school collections. The ground floor is used for childminding purposes, which consists of a conservatory and kitchen/sitting room. The bathroom is located on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. A registered assistant is employed and when she is present the numbers may increase to six children under 5-years. Children come at various times during the

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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 week and all are part time. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is also registered to care for funded 3 and 4-year-old children. She has an NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Education, a Level 3 in Childminding Practice and a Foundation Degree in Early Years.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder is fully committed to promoting very good standards of children's health and hygiene. Documentation regarding children's health and hygiene is extensive and extremely well implemented. Children demonstrate an excellent understanding of personal hygiene. They know that if they do not wash their hands then they will get germs, which will prevent them from being healthy. Children know and understand the importance of hand washing before meals and after using the toilet. They are provided with paper towels and disposable wipes as an effective method to prevent the spread of infection. Children have a good understanding of dental hygiene and brush their teeth to prevent decay and cavities. Children thoroughly enjoy physical activity, develop detailed knowledge and a positive attitude towards exercise and know about the importance of keeping healthy. They know about those things that contribute towards this such as having a healthy

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Helping children to be healthy

diet as well as exercise, fresh air and sleep to remain healthy at all times. Children show a growing awareness of their bodies such as needing a drink or rest. Children use an exciting and stimulating range of large and small equipment indoors and outdoors. The childminder encourages all children to be active, especially those with medical conditions, who know that it makes them feel good and keeps their heart and lungs healthy. Children have a superb knowledge and understanding of healthy eating. They have undertaken a healthy eating project, which contains detailed information about what constitutes a healthy diet. Children learn new skills about food, as they taste various types of food from different countries and use chopsticks and other ways to eat. The childminder has devised comprehensive documentation and has a superb knowledge about health and nutrition, which means that children are extremely well nourished

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Helping children to be healthy

and benefit from meals that are nutritious and well balanced. The childminder promotes a five a day message, which ensures that children include five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables. Children enjoy making their own snacks as well as fresh fruit salad. Children independently access drinks throughout the day and older children make and pour their own drinks depending on their age and ability.

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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 Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and child centred environment, where they are happy and secure. Children's work is attractively displayed throughout the home to provide them with a sense of belonging and ownership. Space and resources are organised to have maximum impact on children's learning and offer them the freedom to explore and select resources independently. An excellent range of stimulating and exciting toys and play materials are available, which offer a good challenge. The childminder involves herself in children's play to enrich their experiences and develop their play and learning. The childminder is fully committed to providing a safe and hazard free environment. Continuous and thorough risk assessments ensure that the premises and equipment remain safe. Younger children learn about potential dangers as the childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

points out dangers and provides explanations about why they are dangerous. Older children help to keep younger children safe and know that they must adhere to safety regulations. For example, they know that if they leave the safety gate open, this could be potentially dangerous for crawling babies. Children know how to keep themselves safe on outings as the childminder discusses issues such as the safest place to cross the road. The childminder develops children's understanding of road safety through exciting planned role-play activities, using a wide range of resources such as a pelican crossing, traffic lights and dressing up clothes. This raises children's awareness and increases their knowledge of road safety. Children are well protected. The childminder has a detailed knowledge of child protection issues, through attendance of several training courses and research. She is fully aware of her responsibility and is confident in implementing relevant

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedures to protect children and safeguard their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children successfully achieve in all areas of development because they are secure and increasingly self-assured as they happily explore, acquiring new skills and want to learn more. The childminder enables children to relate well together. For example, older children develop their social skills by having regard for other children, help younger children on a daily basis as they happily play together and share toys. Children learn and differentiate between colours as they use activities to match coloured ribbons to the appropriate buttons. Children are fully interested and show excitement in the activity, which is educational, exciting and fun. Excellent use is made of story sacks. Young children show a keen interest in books and illustrations, they handle books confidently. The childminder dedicates her time to improving children's language and helping them to progress from single word

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

responses through effective questioning. Children learn to complete simple tasks on request, such as finding certain toys/animals. This develops children's self worth as they clap and make excited noises when they achieve their task. Additional resources are used to enhance the story, which help children to relate objects to the characters

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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 in the story.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of equality and an appreciation of today's diverse society. She provides a safe and supportive environment in which the contribution of all children is valued and every child is treated as an equal. Children's individuality is recognised and they are positively encouraged to reach their full potential. The childminder has an excellent knowledge of special needs, which means that she actively promotes an inclusive environment where all children are encouraged to reach their true potential and build a firm basis for learning. Children show their appreciation of other cultures and the diverse society through play, discussion and superb planned activities. A splendid range of resources available are free from stereotypical images and positively reflect diversity. Children and parents are actively involved and thoroughly enjoy using the role-play resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are extremely well behaved and considerate at all times. They share resources and negotiate without adult intervention, they show caring attitudes towards younger children. For example, they hold hands when walking outdoors. Children have a good awareness of expected codes of behaviour, understand about right and wrong as they have devised their own house rules and fully understand the behaviour management policy. Strategies used to manage children's behaviour are sensitive and take into account children's ages and their individual needs. The childminder has developed and maintained a trusting and supportive partnership with parents, who are welcomed into the setting and their contributions are valued. Comprehensive documentation keeps parents up to date with all aspects of the service. Written records, daily diaries and daily verbal communication inform parents of their child's activities and progress to meet their individual needs and promote

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has outstanding organisational skills, which significantly enhance children's care and development. She is a reflective practitioner who is fully committed to continuously improve her service and provide excellent learning experiences for children in her care. The childminder gives utmost priority to protecting children, promoting wellbeing and fully supporting children to help them develop to their full potential. Since the last inspection, the childminder has completed an extensive range of training courses in various Early Years subjects and continues to do so as she thoroughly enjoys her role as a childminder. Children are confident and secure, they relish their time in the dynamic setting.

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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 Space and resources are organised to have maximum benefit to children, who can play independently and fully access many of the exciting and stimulating resources. All policies and procedures are clear, detailed and robust working documents, which are individual to the setting. They fully support the expert practice of the knowledgeable and highly skilled childminder. All documentation is reviewed regularly to ensure that they are effective. Overall, the individual needs of all children who attend are met.

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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 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 tactile and sensory resources for younger children are displayed at a more suitable level

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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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