Childminder in BarnsleyOfsted inspection, 3 May 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY317406 Inspection date 03 May 2006 Inspector Angela Howard

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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 lives with her husband and two children aged 3 and 6 years old. They live in Cudworth, a large village on the outskirts of Barnsley. The whole of the premises is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under 8 years old when working alone. When an assistant is present then a maximum of eight children under 8 years old may be present at any one time. She currently has eight children under 8 years old and one child over 8 years old on-roll. The childminder

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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 walks to take and collect children from the local school. She meets regularly with local childminders. The childminder is a member of the National Childminder's Association and her husband works as her assistant. She is also a member of the accredited childminding network in Barnsley.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because they are cared for in a very clean and well maintained premises. The hygiene procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection are highly effective. The risk of infection is greatly reduced as the childminder promotes good hygiene practice through daily routines and works closely with parents to ensure that children with infectious illnesses do not attend. Children are well supported by the childminder to take responsibility for their own hygiene. She makes sure that they can reach such things as soap, wipes and tissues independently. This results in children actively learning about the importance of personal hygiene. Children enjoy a well-balanced, healthy and nutritious range of snacks and meals in accordance with parents' wishes. This results in children being well nourished as they develop an understanding of the importance of healthy eating. Mealtimes are treated

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Helping children to be healthy

as an opportunity to help children enjoy their food and become independent in feeding themselves. Clear records show dietary requirements; children's and parents' preferences are catered for well. Children enjoy a good range of physical activities that include a daily walk to school and local parks. They have independent access to a well equipped outdoor play area whenever the weather permits. The outdoor play area is used creatively to provide children with opportunities to climb, crawl and to negotiate space and obstacles successfully. For babies there is a good range of everyday objects to be sucked, pulled, squeezed and held to encourage exploration and development of physical skills. The access to a wide range of physical activities contributes to children's good health in a positive manner and ensures that they develop confidence in their physical abilities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Good quality resources are easily accessed allowing children to make choices in a safe manner. Children's toys and equipment are very carefully monitored to make sure that they remain safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Potential hazards are effectively addressed in order to maintain a safe and secure environment. For example, the use of safety gates, socket covers, fire blanket, smoke alarms and the completion of rigorous safety checks means that children can

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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 move around freely and safely. Children are cared for in very secure premises and good security ensures that access to the premises is carefully monitored. Children are actively encouraged to be aware of their own safety and how to avoid accidents. They are given clear explanations about safe practice indoors, such as not to stand on chairs. Children are aware of the consequences, such as you may hurt someone or get hurt yourself. This results in children being given the opportunity to practice what they can do in safe surroundings, and young children learn some sense of danger. Children are well protected as the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities with regards to child protection matters. She has a clear understanding of child protection procedures and recognises the signs and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

symptoms of possible abuse. This ensures that the safety of children in her care is always a priority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children make their own choices about their play from a very good range of resources. They are encouraged to access resources themselves, so developing their sense of self-assurance. They play happily because they feel very secure and settled in the childminder's care. Younger children engage in concentrated imaginative play in which they extend their language, try out new ideas and select suitable resources as they play with the train track and accessories, such as finding trees and animals to go alongside the train track. Activities provide good levels of challenge, appropriate to the age and stage of children's development and are what they are interested in. For example, the range of equipment is linked to the individual needs and interests of children attending. Therefore, children spend their time purposefully and enjoy playing with the toys provided. Children relate very well to the childminder. They share a very warm and caring

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

relationship with each other and have formed very good friendships. Children are learning good social skills and enjoy being with and talking to adults and other children. This is due to the childminder showing that she values what each child has to offer by asking the children what they would like to do next and asks for their opinion about what they will have for tea, and if they would like to go outside to play. This results in them being able to build meaningful relationships. Children are developing good communication skills as the childminder actively listens and responds to encourage young children to vocalise. The childminder is working to the Birth to three matters framework, for example, by using the component about being a skilful communicator. As babies touch parts of her face she acknowledges this and responds by getting children to converse with her. She shares in their discovery and values their words. For example, "my nose, your nose". She is highly

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

skilled in encouraging vocalisation and the taking part in early conversations.

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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 provision is good. The childminder knows the children in her care very well and responds to their individual needs because she takes time to find out what is important to them and their parents. Children have initial visits with parents, and short periods of time attending on their own before the placement commences. Children are happy and settled and have a very warm and caring relationship with the childminder and their peers. Positive relationships are fostered through the childminder providing opportunities for children to play together in a caring environment. They have a strong sense of belonging and are at ease in the childminder's care. Children's awareness of the local community is promoted extremely well through regular well-planned outings, such as visits to local parks, farms, woods and shops.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

They have equal access to all resources and are beginning to learn about the wider world through the use of an extensive range of equipment and activities that positively address diversity and acknowledge cultural differences. A clear and consistent approach to managing children's behaviour effectively encourages children to behave well. They learn right from wrong in a warm and caring environment. Children are given clear instruction and guidance; this results in them knowing what is expected of them. For example, they are given clear explanations when they are asked to conform, or in the case of younger children, distraction techniques are used effectively. Kindness and consideration for others is a high priority. This is successfully achieved by the childminder being a good role model. Children follow her lead in saying 'Please', 'Thank you' and 'Excuse me' all the time. Partnerships with parents and carers are very good. The childminder has very good

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Helping children make a positive contribution

systems in place for keeping parents informed about their child's care and progress. For babies, a daily diary is used and for older children time is made to talk with parents daily. The childminder shares photographs and children's work so that parents are kept well informed. This enables parents to build upon their child's learning and development at home. Children are clearly benefiting from the positive partnership and are very settled in response to this.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Documentation is kept in an extremely well-organised and professional manner and confidentiality is maintained at all times. There are a number of very well-written policies and procedures in place. These are shared with parents to promote the children's welfare and care and contribute to the child's continuity of care. However, there is no system in place for the recording of complaints. The childminder is very keen to enhance her professional development. She regularly attends relevant courses, such as Birth to three matters framework training, which is reflected in her good practice. Further training is planned to ensure that she continues to improve her practice. Children are very happy and content because the childminder organises her time and

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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 home to ensure that she is able to support children's care and learning effectively. The premises are extremely well organised. Space is used in a highly effective manner to maximise play opportunities for children. This allows children safe independent access to a wide range of activities on a daily basis. Required adult-child ratios are met; this provides good levels of care and supervision. As a result, children remain settled, feel very secure and are very confident in the childminder's care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of all children who attend.

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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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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): • develop a system for the recording of complaints.

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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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