Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY217043 Unique Reference Number 21 April 2006 Inspection date Jacqueline Patricia Walter 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 was registered in May 2002. She lives with her husband and three children aged, eleven and eight years and nine months. They live in Poppleton, which is an area of York, in North Yorkshire. The toilet facilities and the front bedroom on the first floor and the whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and although there were no children present during the inspection she is currently minding six children aged between 7 and 9 years, on a part time basis. The childminder drives to the local school to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the York Childminding Network.

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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. When children under eight years of age are present they are able to stay very healthy because the childminder follows current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. For example, she has good documented systems in place to ensure her first aid kit is regularly replenished. There is a detailed sickness policy written up, which includes information given to parents about exclusion periods relating to childhood infections. There are also appropriate systems in place that allow prior written consent from parents allowing the childminder to seek emergency advice and treatment. Records held by the childminder demonstrate that children's accidents are dealt with appropriately and that they are able to receive medication safely. The childminder describes how children have opportunities to develop an appropriate awareness and understanding of simple good health and hygiene

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Helping children to be healthy

practices. For example, she displays posters advising good practice in her bathroom and encourages everyday good routines such as, washing hands after coming in from school, after using the toilets and before they eat any food.

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Helping children to be healthy

Through discussion the childminder demonstrates that children have good opportunities to enjoy and develop their physical skills. Although the garden is not currently available due to re-landscaping the childminder states that children are able to visit the local park every day after school for at least an hour. If the weather is inappropriate for this she ensures they have access to physical activities inside the home such as, using a computerised dancing mat. There is a good selection of equipment available to help children develop physical skills. For example, a slide, scooters, skipping ropes, bikes and roller blades are all available. Young children and babies are also able to use a baby walker and bouncer to help develop their skills. In addition to everyday outdoor play the childminder states that she takes children on occasional visits to the local indoor play centre and other venues, such as Homestead and Acomb Park. Here there

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Helping children to be healthy

are special areas for older children to experience more challenging and larger equipment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Through menu's and discussion the childminder demonstrates that children are suitable nourished when in her setting. For example, children that bring pack lunches have their food stored appropriately in a fridge and she provides healthy and nutritious foods such as, chopped fresh vegetables and cheese for snacks. She writes up her menu's on a white board so parents are always fully aware of what their children are eating and demonstrates through child record forms that children's individual health and dietary needs are fully taken account. Through discussion the childminder demonstrates that children have some good opportunities to learn about healthy living and eating. For example, she talks to them about eating healthy foods and introduces new fruits and vegetables. They also have opportunities to enjoy baking their own Pizzas and are able to access their drinks independently, which helps them to develop

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Helping children to be healthy

responsibility and further understanding of the importance of healthy living.

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Helping children to be healthy

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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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a welcoming, warm secure and safe environment where children can be safely cared for. She takes positive steps inside her home. For example, she has fireguards available to make the fire safe, socket covers are fitted throughout her home and external doors and stairs are kept secure so children are unable to access unregistered areas. In addition to this, she writes up risks assessments that identify dangers in her home and implements actions to help ensure areas are made safe and clean for children to use. Space is effectively set out, which allows children to use all registered areas safely. For example, the conservatory is designated for messy activities or eating and equipment and activities are set out in various other rooms making them easily available for when the children arrive. This helps children to develop a good sense of belonging.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Through documentation and discussion the childminder demonstrates that children are kept very safe on outings. She has appropriate systems in place. For example, she takes a mobile phone and written emergency contact numbers recorded against children's initials along with a first aid kit with her at all times. She states she does risks assessments on routes and venues have not been previously used or visited and has a written policy that she follows should a child go missing when on an outing. The childminder has the necessary documentation available to demonstrate that the vehicle she uses to transport children is safe and she has appropriate systems in place to obtain written consent from parents allowing children to travel in the car. From discussion she demonstrates that she encourages children's to have a good understanding in keeping themselves safe. For example, when they are outside she talks to them about dangers,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

such as being wary of strangers and when on outings she establishes meeting points in case any one gets lost. In addition to this emergency evacuation plans are displayed on the fridge, which help the older children to keep themselves safe and fire drills with the children are regularly undertaken and recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Through discussion and documentation the childminder demonstrates she has very good knowledge and understanding of child protection. She confidently talks about recognising signs and symptoms in all areas of child abuse and is familiar with the procedures to follow if concerns are raised. For example, she has systems in place to record existing concerns and injuries and has created a written telephone log to be used when referring issues to Social Services and Ofsted. The required child protection guidance and contact numbers are easily available and she has updated her knowledge of this subject through revisiting training courses several times during the last few years. As a result when children are present evidence suggests their welfare is safeguarded well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Through discussion the childminder demonstrates that children are able to acquire new knowledge and skills. They are able to access a good selection of activities and resources. For example, there are reading books, which the childminder uses to encourage language development, computer games, puzzles and board games. Older children can enjoy participating in drama activities where they act out small plays and enjoy dancing. The childminder also talks

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 about developing their creative skills through providing various art and craft materials. For example, they can take part in chalking activities on the garden path. Children are also able to enjoy play-dough and water play, through activities such as, washing the dolls. The childminder also states she offers when possible one-to-one opportunities with younger children as this allows them to experience materials such as, tubes, sand and foil and thereby learn trough their senses. In addition to this, children have opportunities to develop social interaction and understanding of their local environment through visits to venues such as, the toy library and the local garden centre, where they can enjoy looking at the animals. However, as there are no children present during the inspection and the there are limited records of what children can

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

do the full impact of all these activities on children's development is not clear.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder encourages children to develop confidence and self-esteem. She states that she praises them for both their effort and achievement and displays their work in her home as this helps to boost their confidence. From discussion it is clear that the childminder recognises children as individuals and is aware that some need more support and encouragement than others. She states that she therefore encourages children to participate and learn by adapting activities to suit their age and abilities and introduces new activities to encourage further learning. For example, young children are able to visit the local park where large equipment such as, slides are available, which extend and develop their skills and older children are able to extend their learning through the drawing of pictures depicting experiences, such as splashing in puddles and walking in the rain. The childminder states that she encourages children to be

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

independent and to use their initiative in her setting. She sets out her equipment in low level boxes, on shelves and free standing in various rooms, which enable the children to make decisions and choices by freely selecting their resources and areas of play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Through documentation and discussion the childminder demonstrates there are good systems in place to ensure good partnerships are developed with parents. For example, the childminder collects very good information on the children and their families through detailed record forms. This includes information such as, individual and special needs, likes, dislikes, comfort toys and baby routines. This helps to ensure children settle quickly and the care provided meets their individual needs. Systems for sharing information on setting are very good. For example the childminder creates a newsletter two to three times a year, which she gives to parents and she has created a 'information' area in her hallway where she displays menu's, general information and qualification certificates. Parents are also given a parents pack, which includes copies of her policies and procedures. The childminder demonstrates through discussion that information

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Helping children make a positive contribution

on the children's development and learning is also shared well through both written and verbal communication. For example, 'what we have done to day' forms are completed and shared with parents when younger children are cared for and daily discussions are held relating to the older children. This helps parents to become involved in the setting and promotes consistency and continuity in their care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Using discussion and documentation the childminder demonstrates that children have good opportunities to learn about the world and its diversity. She provides a good selection of

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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 resources and activities that promote positive images and develop children's understanding, such as cultural dolls, dressing up clothes and art and craft activities that reflect different cultures and festivals. For example, when it is Chinese New Year she uses Chinese decorations collected from a friend to decorated her home, makes a Chinese meal and invites the children to experience and celebrate the Chinese New Year; thereby developing their knowledge and understanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Through discussion the childminder demonstrates that she encourages children to distinguish between right and wrong and gain an appropriate understanding of good behaviour. She has appropriate strategies in place that reflect the children's different ages and abilities. For example, she removes young children from situations and distracts them from any inappropriate behaviour and she praises children for positive behaviour. She states she also talks to children, explaining why their behaviour is inappropriate if they are old enough to understand. Although children have not been involved in the devising of them, the childminder has written rules in place, which are shared and explained to the children and their parents. This helps ensure clear and consistent boundaries are upheld.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Through documentation the childminder demonstrates she has appropriate procedures in place to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. She makes sure all checks are completed on adults in home and documentation demonstrates that the child ratio is always upheld to appropriately support the children’s care, learning and play.

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Organisation

The childminder has all the required qualifications. She demonstrates a high regard for the well-being of all children and a commitment to improving the care she provides. For example, she has recently completed further training in childcare practice. She has also devised and used a parent questionnaire and implemented an action plan to improve the quality of her setting.

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Organisation

Through discussion the childminder demonstrates that her time and resources are effectively organised with routines in place that help children feel secure and confident. All the required documentation is professionally presented, easily available, stored securely and confidentiality is upheld appropriately at all times.

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Organisation

Evidence suggests that the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has taken positive steps to improve the children's health and safety. She now ensures that all accident records are signed by the parents.

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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 The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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 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): • develop the more able children's understanding of behaviour management

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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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