Childminder in East Riding of Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

314252 Unique Reference Number 24 August 2006 Inspection date Carol-Anne Shaw Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been a registered childminder since 1989. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a farm house, situated on the Wolds, six miles from Driffield. The lounge and kitchen areas are used for childminding. The bathroom is on the first floor. The front garden is used for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for no more than six children to attend at any one time. She currently has 13 children on her register, all attend part time, of these, four children are over eight years of age.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Access to local facilities are possible with transport and the childminder uses her car regularly for outings. The local schools are Weaverthorpe and Sledmere Primary. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from becoming ill. They are cared for in a welcoming clean home which is effectively organised for childminding. Children’s health is supported by the childminder working to the range of policies and procedures that outline how the childminding service is organised. The childminder meets children’s physical, nutritional and health needs very well. The childminder gives support and guidance to help children gain a good understanding of hygiene. For example, children wash their hands immediately they come in from the farm. The children are very aware that washing their hands is important to prevent the spread of germs. The younger children are becoming increasingly independent in their own personal care. Older children freely access the bathroom, the childminder checks with the older children that they have followed the appropriate hygiene routines to maintain their health.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have good access to daily physical play. They explore and develop good physical control in daily indoor and outdoor activities. This is effectively planned to ensure they have regular opportunities to enjoy the surrounding outdoor areas. Walks in the farm and country walks are planned into the childminding day. The visit to see the calves was used to learn about drinking milk. The children use the garden freely for games, supervised by the childminder. She ensures children have many opportunities to develop new skills in games and activities that encourage increasing physical control. Children are able to be independent within the safe environment. Through discussion they are helped to understand how exercise helps them to stay fit and healthy.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have healthy snacks and are suitably nourished. They have access to regular drinks and a snack, often fruit mid morning and afternoon. The childminder discusses healthy foods with the children enabling them to have a good understanding of why healthy eating is important. The childminder works with parents to ensure children have a range of healthy foods. The close communication with parents ensures all children’s individual dietary requirements are met effectively.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are protected, the environment has been made safe, risks to children have been identified and minimised by the childminder. This allows children the freedom to move about safely in the areas used for childminding and to independently access equipment and resources. The childminder is vigilant in her supervision of the children, thus keeping children safe both inside and outside the home.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy using the wide range of good quality toys and equipment. The childminder ensures they are appropriate to their ages and stages of development. They are very well organised allowing children to freely access what is available.

p.3

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 protected from abuse. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. Her policy is available for parents and this ensures they are made aware of her role and responsibilities in this area. Her attention to children’s welfare means that this is promoted. The childminder has effective communication with parents which also contributes to children's safety.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle quickly at the provision, making themselves very much at home. Children are confident and the relationships between the childminder and the children are strong. Children learn to socialise with other children in the childminder’s home. They become increasingly independent as they chose from the range of well presented resources and toys organised by the childminder. The planned outings round the farm and nature walks enable children to extend their knowledge and understanding in a very practical way. They access a wide range of very suitable activities to support their development in the well planned weekly routine. The childminder has good knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework and uses this to support her activity planning.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They enjoy a wide range of different activities to support their creativity, for example, painting, box modelling and making clay animals. Children respond well to books and stories, sitting quietly, helping to turn the pages, listening as the childminder reads to them. Children learn about number in every day activities. The care of the younger children is very good with excellent relationships evident. This enables children to feel secure and leave their parents with confidence. The childminder gives lots of practical help to enable younger children to join in with all the activities. The child responded very well to the childminder's verbal communication and good eye contact.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy the outings and visits to places of interest, they have many opportunities to play and use outside equipment effectively to support their physical development. They help with watering the tomatoes and picking the ripe ones, supporting their knowledge of how food is grown. The activities on the farm enable the children to be aware of farm animals and their knowledge of the different seasons is extended through the walks in the surrounding countryside. The children feed the wild birds.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children’s home routines are followed for rest and sleeping. The childminder works with parents to enable the child to be supported appropriately with their own individual care routine. This is discussed on a daily basis and changed to meet the differing situations.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a good range of activities to promote a positive view of diversity and increase children’s understanding of others. They learn about different celebrations and festivals, supporting their knowledge about their own culture as they visit the local places of interest. The childminder uses the local toy library for resources to support children's understanding.

p.4

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 Children are valued as individuals and their individual needs are met each day as they follow a daily routine that is discussed and agreed with parents. Children show concern for others and learn to take turns and share. They behave very well showing respect for both resources and each other. Children show good manners, remembering to say please and thank you when having their snack.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s needs are met through excellent partnership with parents. The childminder completes a diary for younger children to ensure parents are kept effectively informed of each day the child spends at the childminder's home. Copies of the childminder's policies are available for parents, giving clear guidance to her service. This works effectively to inform parents of both the childminder and parents role. Lots of verbal exchange ensures that children’s needs are met on a daily basis.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are relaxed and at home in the well organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their play and learning. Her policies are used appropriately to promote the welfare and care of the children. These are shared with parents to keep them well informed about the childminding service. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has updated her policies and keeps herself informed about current childcare information. She ensures that the adults in the home are appropriately vetted. Working with her new registration documentation has enabled the childminder to monitor and maintain a safe environment for the children attending her service.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder's personal development is ongoing. She has attended a number of training events this year.

p.5

Organisation

Most of the required documentation for the safe management of the childminding service is well organised and available for parents and the inspection process. It is recorded and stored to maintain confidentiality in most cases, however, the accident recording lacks confidentiality and the complaint procedure has not been updated with the new contact number.

p.5

Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made relating to documentation.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The registration system now contains the times children attend and the contracts with parents are now available. This ensures children are safe and gives parents better information regarding the childminding service.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Both the recommendations have been completed resulting in the childminding service meeting the requirements of registration and children are cared for in a safe environment.

p.5

Improvements 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

p.5

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 confidentiality is maintained when recording accidents • develop the complaints procedure to include the new Ofsted contact number and address.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.6

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

p.6