Cooper, Julie Denise

Inspection report for early years provision

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314281 Unique Reference Number 16 May 2006 Inspection date Andrea Rockett Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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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.

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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 satisfactory. 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 1987. She lives with her husband and their home is situated in the village of Howden near Goole. There are shops, schools and parks close by. The ground floor only is used for caring for children and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years of age and there are currently 11 children on roll. Most children attend on a part time basis. The family have two cats, a dog and goldfish. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and Goole and District Childminders Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in an environment that is clean and tidy. The childminder actively promotes good hygiene practises by ensuring children wash their hands before eating and after visiting the toilet. Children are becoming independent by attending to their own needs and use soap successfully, however, hygienic hand drying procedures are not in place to prevent cross infection. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and the first aid box is easily accessible in the kitchen. Details for the exclusion of sick children to prevent cross contamination are discussed with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy eating is promoted with children being offered fresh fruit and vegetables at meal and snack times, which is essential for their well-being and healthy growth. The childminder takes account of parents' wishes, so that children's individual health and dietary requirements are met successfully. For example, children have a choice of six cereals for breakfast. The childminder involves children in the growing of tomatoes. Their knowledge and understanding is extended further as they water, pick and then eat the tomatoes. Meal times are social occasions where everyone sits at the breakfast bar to eat their meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

A selection of physical activities are offered to children, which contributes to their good health as they play in the garden, for example, they enjoy jumping on the trampoline and playing on the pedal car. They encounter lots of walking as the childminder takes them out everyday with the dog to the local park. Children's gross motor skills are extended further as they have opportunities of engaging in sports days where they compete in running and potato races. The childminder makes badges and stickers for everyone so that they are all winners. Children show an awareness of space and move with confidence in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean home where risks are identified and minimised, which allows them to move around safely and independently. For example, all hazardous products are stored out of the reach of children. Furniture and equipment is of a suitable design and conforms to safety requirements. Children independently select from a range of toys and resources which promotes their decision making skills. For example, they access a large selection of small world people which are easily accessible from boxes on the floor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Security precautions are in place as there are locks on the bathroom and kitchen cupboard doors which prevents children from accessing dangerous substances. Children are protected in the garden as the pond has a grid over it and the greenhouse glass panels are covered with safety film. The trampoline has a safety net which prevents children from falling over the side. The childminder explains safe practises, for example,"Sit still when eating your dinner or you may slip and fall", which develops children's awareness of cause and effect. Children learn about what is dangerous, however, they do not practise an emergency escape plan. The

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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 childminder has a fire blanket sited in the kitchen and tests the smoke alarms regularly to make sure children stay safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware her first priority is the protection of children, however, her knowledge of child protection procedures is limited. Children are taught about road safety on outings which increases their ability to assess risk. For example, they know they must always look, listen for cars and only cross the road when it is safe. When on outings in the car the childminder ensures children use car seats that are appropriate to their age and stage of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have developed a close and caring relationship with the childminder. They enjoy choosing toys from toy boxes and extend their hand and eye coordination as they fit small world people onto the castle and the ship. The childminder provides children with a range of different activities to ensure they remain stimulated. For example, they delight in icing birthday cakes and decorating them with sweets. The childminder keeps a monthly record of activities offered to children which follow the seasons and incorporates colours that link in with events and changes in the seasons.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Learning is enhanced as the childminder uses appropriate questioning techniques, for example, "What number is the big hand pointing to on the clock?". Children concentrate as they recognise letters on flash cards which extends their knowledge of phonics and the letter their name begins with. They make joint decisions about going outside to play together and gather their choice of toys to take outside. For example, they place them expertly in bags and baskets ready to transport to the garden. Gross motor skills are developed as children balance and complete forward rolls on the trampoline successfully. They enjoy running around the garden and up the ramp into the playhouse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children communicate effectively with the childminder and each other and talk freely, for example, "We need a horse" and "I've got electric powers". They pick dandelion flowers in the garden and blow the seeds away chanting "What time is it Mr Wolf?". The childminder interacts effectively with children during their play and pushes them around the garden in trolleys and cars. Children make progress in their learning through the interesting activities offered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Behaviour is good and children are becoming aware of their boundaries, for example, they know they must wait for everyone to finish their lunch before going out to play. This reinforces their awareness of routine and what is expected of them. Children take turns and share tasks with the childminder, for example, when feeding the fish, this promotes their awareness of being considerate and respectful to animals. The childminder is calm and consistent and children follow her example, and respond well to her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children take part in activities appropriate to their need and abilities which successfully creates an inclusive provision for all. Children are treated equally and the childminder helps

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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 them to recognise and value diversity through a range of activities, toys and resources. For example, children enjoy playing with Chinese dragon tails and hats for the Chinese new year. They eat mild curries, rice and stir-fries and decorate birthday cakes, which enables them to understand how we are all individuals and acknowledge cultural differences. Praise is freely given to children, ensuring that they develop confidence and self-esteem and an understanding when they have done well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A positive relationship is established with parents and they are informed of their child's care through verbal daily discussions. This helps to ensure children's individual needs are met effectively. There is an induction process in place for children to ensure that they settle well, for example, short visits are in place initially which are gradually extended to enable children to be confident when separating from their parents. All written parental permissions are in place and are up to date.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home, settled and at ease in the relaxing and welcoming environment. They move freely around the setting demonstrating confidence and independence. The childminder organises her working week to enable children to extend their social lives, for example, they visit another childminder's home. Resources and activities are organised to enable children to extend their play and learning experiences.

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Organisation

Regular verbal communication ensures that the parents and the childminder enjoy a positive, working relationship. Recordings are in place, however, some policies and procedures require developing further to ensure they are in line with requirements. Documentation is stored appropriately to maintain confidentiality and security. Overall the setting meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection one recommendation was made in relation to safety in the garden. This has been addressed appropriately. The loose bricks and wooden sheets that were in the playhouse and garden have now been removed and no longer pose a hazard. This helps to ensure the safety of children.

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Complaints 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 satisfactory. 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): • further develop hand drying procedures to prevent cross infection • ensure an emergency escape plan is devised and practised • develop knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures • implement and develop policies and procedures to ensure they are in line with requirements.

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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

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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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