Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY100042 Inspection date 12 April 2006 Inspector June Rice

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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 February 2002. She lives with her husband and two children in Normanton. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is qualified to a level 3 in childcare and is a member of an approved childminding network. She registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding five children under 8 years old.

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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 good. Children's health and well-being is effectively promoted. The childminder takes positive steps to reduce the risk of cross infection by following appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines. She uses anti-bacterial spray to wipe worktops, washes hands prior to food preparation and has attended courses on food hygiene and 5 a day-just eat more, to update her own knowledge. Children learn about the importance of personal hygiene and clearly understand simple good health and hygiene practices. For example, they use readily available tissues and wet wipes to wipe their hands and faces. They cover their mouths instinctively when they cough. Children's dietary needs are met well. They are well nourished because the childminder has a good understanding of the benefits of healthy eating and they are provided with a healthy balance of fresh foods, fruit and children's favourites. There is

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Helping children to be healthy

a good exchange of information about children's dietary needs and parents are asked about allergies and what they wish their children to eat and drink. Children enjoy learning about healthy eating and growing through themed activities, such as making their own place mats with drawings of their favourite healthy foods. While making the place mats children talk about which food is good for their bodies and when asked what food made them big and strong said vegetables.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is supported well by a good range of inside and outside. They participate eagerly in activities that develop their physical skills. For example, they enjoy energetic play both inside and outside the home using a variety of equipment, particularly enjoying movement to music that encourages them to jump, hop and shake.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and interesting environment. They are relaxed, feel safe and secure. Children move freely throughout the setting and independently select age appropriate toys and activities in safety. Children enjoy using toys and equipment that are clean and well maintained. Children's risk of injury is reduced because the childminder has effectively assessed risks to children. She has identified and minimized risks and uses appropriate safety equipment and daily procedures to ensure children's safety. For example, she makes sure the house, toys and equipment are clean. Children learn about keeping safe through practical activities. They regularly carry out an emergency evacuation and receive lots of praise when they remember to check if the door is hot before going through it. While playing with a train track children said, 'look we're going over the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

track', when asked 'wouldn’t that be dangerous' they give it some thought and reply 'oh yes, it would be, we won't'.

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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 The childminder has organised the home well and this ensures she has the children in sight and hearing at all times. Home security ensures no one can gain unauthorised entry into the premises. Children are collected by known persons only and never left unsupervised with other adults. Children are well protected. The childminder has attended a child protection training course and has a very clear understanding of her role in child protection. She has procedures in place that are known to parents and she provides information that clearly informs them of her role and responsibility.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very confident and feel a sense of belonging. Their work is on display and they talk enthusiastically about past activities, such as booking their ideal holiday. Children respond very well to the childminder and have developed a very good bond with her. For example, throughout the morning youngest children kept looking to her for re-assurance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Their learning is extended and they are challenged and questioned very well. For example, during an activity the oldest children are encouraged to recognise colours, shapes and items of food, while she gives appropriate attention to the youngest by acknowledging what they are doing and answering their questions. They respond well to the praise and encouragement they receive. The childminder provides a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated indoor and outdoor activities. She motivates the children well. She ensures that children find activities interesting by extending them further. For example, when children are invited to make place mats, she explains what they are doing and what the finished product will be used for. When children say they cannot remember what the food looks like, she directs them to a healthy eating poster with illustrations of fruit and vegetables.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder gives lots of praise, support and encouragement that helps children develop very strong and positive relationships with her. She has well established systems in place that ensures a good exchange of information between parents and childminder. She demonstrates she is well informed about individual children and she treats them with equal concern. For example, she is able to discuss their different temperaments, stages of development, likes and dislikes. They are confident and have good self-esteem. They are rewarded for all their efforts and enjoy receiving well done certificates, star stickers and taking creations home for parents. Children are able to distinguish between right and wrong. They are learning to understand responsible behaviour and respond well to simple requests. They help

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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 each other out during play and when clearing the toys away. Children are developing respect for one another. They work well with others and enjoy good relationships with each other. For example, they use polite language to each other always saying please and thank you during general conversation and play. When a younger child gets upset at an unexpected loud noise, one of the older children brings a small toy and helps to comfort the child. The childminder displays a very positive attitude towards equal opportunities and special needs. She continues to develop positive images through play and equipment that helps build children's knowledge and understanding of differences within their wider environment. For example, she welcomes parents who accept the opportunity to introduce children to different festivals and music from their home land. Children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

enjoy visits to places of interest where they experience what it is like to rely on a wheelchair or crutches to move about.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy, confident and secure in their environment. The childminder organises and utilises her premises effectively providing an interesting environment for children to play and learn. The day is efficiently organised remaining flexible to meet children's individual needs. Children enjoy a varied day that provides them with a good balance of well organised activities and the opportunity to make choices from a wide selection of toys and equipment. However, the presentation of the toys and equipment in boxes that restrict what children can see, limits children's independent choices. Children's welfare and care is promoted well. The childminder is fully committed to developing her knowledge and understanding of child development. She is qualified up to level 3 in childcare and has attended Birth to three matters training. She is familiar with the early learning goals and gives regard to the stepping stones,

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Organisation

although she does not use children's observations to plan activities. The childminder has developed a professional relationship with parents. There is a good exchange of information to ensure children's individual needs are met effectively and she provides them with detailed information about her setting. All documentation required is in place and completed appropriately. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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 complain record

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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 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 that includes using children's observations to plan activities and continue to give regard to the stepping stones and Birth to three matters. • ensure children are able to independently select from a range of resources that they can quickly and easily identify.

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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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