Hodgson, Carol Anne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY317570 Inspection date 23 March 2006 Inspector Mandy Black

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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 has been registered since November 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged 5 and 8 years old. The family home is a semi-detached house, with an enclosed rear garden, in the hamlet of Coverham, close to Middleham, in Wensleydale. Children have access to all downstairs room. The childminder is registered to care for four children and is currently caring for three children under 5 years, on a full and part-time basis. The family have a pet dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding 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 good. Children understand simple good health and hygiene practices because the childminder leads by example with her own excellent procedures. She washes her own hands frequently and appropriately whilst providing children with explanations about why it is important. They are actively supported to wash their own hands after using the toilet, playing outdoors and before eating, and the childminder uses disposable wipes for children's hands in addition to this. The provision of healthy, nutritionally balanced meals and snacks, with fresh fruit and vegetables always included, ensures that children are well nourished. They eat well and particularly enjoy food-tasting linked to themes, such as strawberries as part of the 'Red' theme. Discussions about different foods at mealtimes enables children to gain a sound understanding of which foods contribute positively to good health. Children have their health and dietary needs met extremely well because the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder works closely with parents. She is vigilant and observes very detailed written information about foods that must be completely avoided in order to safeguard children's health and well-being. Children take part in regular physical activity every day and benefit positively from lots of fresh air and exercise during walks in the local, rural area. They have good access to a full range of physical activities, including hoops, bats and balls in the garden, and a climbing frame and larger equipment is regularly accessed during visits to local parks. This ensures that children develop well physically, as well as refining and practising skills, such as throwing, catching and balancing.

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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 safe, secure and welcoming environment, where potential hazards are stored well out of their reach and safety gates are used effectively. The garden is fully enclosed and totally suitable for young children to play safely. Children access an excellent range of resources that are all very clean and well maintained. All is arranged at children's level, which successfully promotes their independence, because they can help themselves freely and easily from low shelves and storage boxes. They are learning very successfully how to keep themselves safe and to avoid accidents. For example, the childminder ensures that children are well informed about the potential dangers of water when they visit the large pond at Tupgill Park. She allows children the freedom to observe the fish and associated wildlife, but is constantly vigilant in the process. Children sometimes play outside at the front of the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

house, which is securely enclosed. As strangers could potentially access this area, the childminder makes sure that children are fully aware of the importance of 'stranger danger' and how to effectively protect themselves, through her regular

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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 discussions with them. Children are very well protected because the childminder is totally secure about her important role in child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop high levels of confidence and self-esteem due to the extremely warm and caring attention they receive from the childminder. She is calm and continually relaxed in her approach, providing children with constant praise, encouragement and support, which helps them feel valued and important. Children often approach the childminder for cuddles and reassurance and this is totally reciprocated at all times. The childminder ensures that children have good, regular and very worthwhile opportunities to explore nature in the local area. During their visits to Tupgill Park and surrounding woodland, they frequently see grouse, woodpecker, squirrels and ducks, as well as farm animals such as sheep. They walk enthusiastically through leaves and puddles and enjoy the sounds and effects they make in the process. Children have very good access to activities, such as baking and many interesting

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

opportunities to be creative. They collect leaves and twigs for gluing and experiment with different types of painting. The childminder extends children's knowledge by providing interesting themes and linking activities together to effectively reinforce their learning. For example, they contribute items from home for the red interest table, they make individual models out of a broad range of red materials and taste red food, such as strawberries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to make decisions in their play because toys and equipment are well arranged to promote free choice. They have less opportunity to become aware of wider society due to a lack of resources that reflect positive images of diversity. Very successful relationships with parents ensure that the childminder has a excellent knowledge and understanding of children's care needs. She has a high regard for parent's views, respects confidentiality and has introduced a complaints record, in line with changes to registration requirements. The childminder knows children very well as individuals, and plans suitable challenges in all activities. For example, they all look together at a large book which is primarily focussed on colour, but older children gain so much more because the childminder provides realistic challenges, such as asking them to identify other items and numbers on the pages. Children are beginning to understand responsible

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Helping children make a positive contribution

behaviour and play together harmoniously. There is a strong emphasis on encouraging young children to share, take turns and demonstrate good manners, such as saying thank you and excuse me. Children's behaviour is managed

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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 consistently well, using effective strategies, and the childminder deals very sensitively with displays of temper from young children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Documentation is all is in excellent order, fully meets requirements and is stored with a high regard for confidentiality. Procedures, such as the sick children policy and the fire safety plan, work well in practice to promote good outcomes for children. The childminder organises herself so that children are well supervised and they all receive individual attention, appropriate to their own unique needs. Rooms are suitably arranged to maximise play space for children. She purposefully limits her childminding care to three children under 5 years so that she can totally focus on this age group, planning interesting activities and actively promoting children's learning. The childminder has many years experience in various aspects of childcare, and demonstrates a commitment to providing the best possible play experiences and high standards of care for all children. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom care is

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • provide opportunities and resources so that children increase their awareness of wider society.

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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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