Childminder in Calderdale

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 303658 Inspection date 16 March 2006 Inspector Stephanie Joy Bennett

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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 lives with her husband and 2 adult children in a semi-detached house in Holmefield, Halifax. The whole of the ground floor is used for minding and two bedrooms and an office are available on the first floor for children aged over 8 years. In addition the rear garden is used for outdoor play. A maximum of 6 children may attend at any one time. There are currently 15 children on roll who attend on a part time basis. 6 of these are aged over 8 years. The family have one cat.

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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 takes and collects children from the local school and nurseries and regularly attend local carer and toddler groups. The childminder is a member of the National CMA and receives support from the local authority. She attends the local childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Good steps are taken to make sure that children understand and develop good health and hygiene routines. For example, they use individual cloths to wash their hands before lunch and after toileting. The spread of infection is prevented effectively as the childminder shares written sickness policies with parents and keeps the home environment clean. Children also benefit from her additional training on food hygiene, to help maintain their health. Records relating to the children's individual health and medication are well maintained, so that their daily well-being is effectively managed. Children develop a healthy attitude to eating as they are offered nutritious, freshly cooked meals which include shepherd's pie, pasta, cheese, fruit and yogurts. Their individual dietary needs are highly regarded because clear information is recorded on children's record sheets and in a daily diary which the childminder makes sure is

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Helping children to be healthy

closely followed. Older children have many opportunities to prepare foods such as pizza and sandwiches to develop their social skills, independence and good hygiene habits. Children have excellent opportunities to grow and develop physically, as they play in a spacious garden with a wide variety of equipment to help them crawl, balance and climb. They enjoy regular walks to the local parks to increase their physical skills. Fine motor skills are well developed because all children are able to choose from a wide range of materials for gluing and sticking. Older children develop good fine physical skills as they build and construct using stickle bricks and thread string through cotton reels.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe, clean and secure environment, where good steps are taken to minimise risk, taking children's age and development into account. Children access equipment and resources in a safe way which promotes inclusion well. For example, a child under 2 years sits safely in a harnessed, clip-on chair at the dining table, so that she can take part in craft activities and choose materials independently. Young children are sufficiently supervised as they sleep in a travel cot on the first floor. The childminder checks them regularly and hears them when they wake, but there is no monitor available to enable her to hear them properly in the event of an emergency.

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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 develop a good awareness of safety within the home because the childminder sets clear safety boundaries, such as not wearing shoes indoors, so that young children's feet don't get hurt. Older children understand that "we need to hold hands" when crossing the road to and from school. They have a good awareness of what to do in an emergency, because the childminder regularly practices and records fire evacuation procedures. Children play with resources and equipment which are safe and suitable for their age and development. They begin to understand how to respect their toys as they are included in helping to clean equipment, and put it away after use, particularly when playing outdoors. For example, they wash and bath dolls and their clothes as part of a practical activity.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Records relating to the health and safety of children are very well maintained, such as recording accidents and incidents. These are shared with parents so that children's daily safety and welfare is effectively managed. Children are very well protected as the childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection issues and shares a policy with parents. Her first aid certificate is kept up to date, which safeguards children well in the event of an accident.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled in this relaxed and friendly environment. They freely access a wide range of activities which promotes their learning and development effectively. Children have many opportunities to explore their environment both indoors and out, through regular walks to local parks and woodland, where they look at living creatures and collect natural objects for collage activities. They can be creative as they play musical instruments and experiment with different sounds using home resources such as pots and pans. Young children have excellent opportunities to glue and stick, choosing from a wide range of art and craft resources. They use their imaginations well, as they play with the toy kitchen, push dolls in push chairs and play with small world equipment, such as, cars and garage. Young children explore different textures and sensory experiences when they play with jelly and mousse at

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

lunch time and "magic slime", which is corn flour and water. Children become skilful communicators and find a voice as they sing together, read stories and are constantly talked to. The childminder responds to their needs and gives them good support in their play and learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children settle well due to the childminder's good daily routines and the provision of a secure, relaxed environment. They develop a good sense of belonging, as they use their own colour coded face cloths to wash with and are very much included in all

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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 activities. Their individual needs are effectively regarded as the childminder works closely with parents and knows the children well. Children access a good range of resources and activities which develops their awareness of other cultures and events other than their own. For example, they have recently celebrated Chinese New Year, making Chinese food, dragons and cards. They visit the library where they can obtain various books and information on the world around them. The childminder uses books to help address children's individual situations such as the arrival of new siblings and other emotional needs. Children behave very well. They are polite and learn to share and take turns, because the childminder sets positive boundaries, which are consistently reinforced. Children respond well to the childminder's praise and encouragement, such as, when

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Helping children make a positive contribution

they have completed a piece of creative work. This develops their confidence and self-esteem. Very good relationships are developed with parents. The childminder adopts a professional but friendly approach, sharing clear, well organised policies and procedures, so that they have a very good awareness of the service provided. Scrap books containing photographs of the children are being developed for parents so that they see the activities and fun that their children have. Children benefit from the individual daily diaries, which tell parents of their progress and daily well-being so that continued care and learning is effectively shared.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder continues to ensure that all persons living in the home are suitable to safeguard the children. They benefit from the childminder's appropriate regard to ensuring that ratios are well maintained to keep them safe. Children play in a very well organised and safe environment, where they access resources freely and safely, both indoors and out to promote their independence. They enjoy a secure daily routine, which includes regular trips to toddler groups and play gyms, to enhance their social skills and play opportunities. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the care welfare and learning of the children. The childminder has high regard to updating her own knowledge and skills of childcare by developing her awareness of using Birth to three matters and puts this into practice. This means that she continues to improve on the already good quality service provided. As a result,

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Organisation

the needs of the 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

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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 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): • improve sleeping arrangements so that those who sleep on the first floor are well supervised.

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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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