Childminder in East Riding of Yorkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY314414 Inspection date 28 March 2006 Inspector Jackie Phillips

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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 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 registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two daughters aged 5 and 8 years in the Anlaby Common area of west Hull. The property is well within walking distance of local schools, shops and other local amenities. The family have a pet cat. Registration is for a maximum of five children under the age of 8 years. Currently there are three children on roll. Two are under the age of 8 and one is over. There were no children present during the inspection.

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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 Children have access to all of the ground floor rooms of the property only. They access an enclosed rear garden for physical play opportunities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a comfortable and well organised home environment. A number of written polices are in place that support the care of children, providing information of how the childminder promotes their good health. This includes a written policy for sick children and a healthy eating policy. Written guidelines are also in place that relate to the exclusion periods for when children are suffering from infectious illnesses. These are shared with parents. The childminder has previously attended relevant first aid courses, especially when working within a full day care setting. Her current certificate has recently expired and training is required to be completed again within the six month period following registration. Children have use of a ground floor toilet. Current arrangements for hand drying are poor to prevent the potential risk of cross infection. Close liaison takes place with parents to discuss children's individual dietary

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Helping children to be healthy

requirements. This includes the feeding of young babies when the weaning process is about to commence. Children are provided with meals that are freshly prepared and cooked, and have regular servings of fresh fruit and vegetables. Throughout the day children and babies have good access to regular drinks of water. Meal times are social occasions for children when they sit at the dining table as a family group. Children and babies enjoy fresh air and exercise as they play in the enclosed rear garden of the home or take walks within the local community, for example, to the nearby school. A selection of toys for outdoor use promote children's physical skills and imagination. For instance, children use swings and a wooden play house.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. When children are taken out for walks or on outings that involve being transported in the family car, the childminder ensures that parents are informed and provide their written consent. A record book is in place to record children's accidents within the setting or injuries sustained at home. This also applies to a suitable procedure devised if medication is required to be administered to children with prior written consent from parents. No entries in the record logs have as yet been made. An emergency evacuation plan of the home has been devised although this is yet to be shared and practised when children are present. The contact details of parents are safely stored to access promptly should an emergency occur and parents are required to be contacted. Confidentiality is also well maintained. The home is secure and the childminder is aware to carry out a risk assessment on areas that may pose a potential hazard for young children. For example, this includes

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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 hearth around the fire place in the lounge and dining area. Children's safety is a priority when unexpected situations present themselves, for example a leak to the roof of the kitchen. A written child protection statement is in place that is shared with parents to inform them of the childminder's responsibility to protect children from harm. A relevant training course has also been attended.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. An interesting range of topics is planned for children in advance. The activities presented to children link into the topic and include raising children's awareness of other cultures through celebrations such as Divali and the Chinese New Year. Parents are kept informed about topics which include the theme of transport, animals and "All about me". Toys and resources that children use are clean, in good condition and appropriate for their age. For instance, expecting the arrival of a 7 month old baby a range of toys are attractively placed on the lounge floor. The childminder selects a good variety to interest and stimulate the baby such as books, shape sorters and musical resources. Unfortunately the baby did not attend and was not present during the inspection. A written inventory is kept of all equipment to share with parents and to keep a check on resource levels. Children who attend for only short periods of time are fully

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

included and their needs met. For example, a child who arrives after attending another setting is given lunch and then shares a game or looks at books with the childminder. He is able to choose activities that interest him and also enable him to relax after a busy morning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Parents are kept well informed and their opinions and views taken into consideration. For example, the parents of a child that attends full time have been asked to complete a questionnaire to provide comments of their satisfaction of the service provided. They are also encouraged to make suggestions for any improvements they feel is required. The setting's range of written polices and procedures are shared well with parents, although the certificate of registration is kept in a file and not displayed. Parents are informed of how to make a complaint, although the written procedure in place requires development in line with new requirements. Small business style cards have been developed and issued to parents containing the setting's contact details. Children are encouraged to behave well because they know what is expected of them. House rules are established, such as not throwing toys or excluding other

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children from games and play activities. These are shared with the children. Parents are informed of any behavioural issues including any need for physical restraint or intervention. Children are supported to understand between right and wrong through explanation, discussion and praise when they succeed or achieve.

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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 Children are encouraged to feel at home within the setting. For example, they are encouraged to find their beakers from a kitchen cupboard and develop a sense of belonging. All children are welcomed and fully included.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. All children's details are organised and stored very well to maintain confidentiality. Personal information is exchanged as children commence at the setting to enable the childminder to find out about their preferences and routines. Older children are encouraged to complete these themselves so that they can share their interests with the childminder and promote an effective relationship. Children each have a scrapbook to record their development and successes. For instance, examples of art and craft work and developmental milestones are included and documented and shared with parents. The childminder has experience of working within another child care establishment and has transferred her skills and knowledge to her childminding business. She shares information effectively with parents and welcomes their comments to promote a positive partnership. She uses experience and information gained from past

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Organisation

training courses to support her care of children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report since registration. 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

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • improve hand drying facilites to encourage children to learn about personal hygiene through the daily routine • ensure the setting's emergency evacuation procedure is practised with children • ensure the setting's registration certificate is displayed during the hours of operation • develop the setting's written complaints procedure in line with new requirements.

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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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