Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY152147 Unique Reference Number 12 September 2006 Inspection date Jane Elizabeth O'Callaghan 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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and two years old on the outskirts of Leeds. 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.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local toddler groups and visits the local library and places of interest.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 satisfactory. The children learn good routines of personal hygiene and practise these independently. The children use wet wipes before snacks and mealtimes, however, after going to the toilet children use a separate towel, which is changed daily. This encourages children to learn about a healthy procedure and also prevents cross infection. The children develop a good knowledge and understanding of healthy practices and the reasons behind them through discussions with the childminder. They have opportunities to develop physical control and a healthy lifestyle through using local parks, bicycles, swings and balls in the enclosed garden. The childminder also takes children to local places of interest and does daily walks with the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are met and they begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet through being offered healthy snacks, including fruit, cheese straws and raisins. Children can independently access drinks and are regularly encouraged to take drinks by the childminder, especially during exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. Children can access toys independently and confidently. All toys, activities and equipment are adequately maintained. There are satisfactory arrangements for sleeping children and their individual sleep patterns are adhered to. The childminder uses a travel cot for younger children and works with parents to accommodate children's needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in an environment which has all safety features including risk assessments, practising and testing of the fire evacuation procedure, as well as smoke alarms, fixed fire blanket and fire extinguisher. This ensures children are cared for in a safe environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children develop a good understanding of keeping themselves safe, learning to cross the road safely and practising evacuation procedures with the childminder. They begin to understand the reasons behind safe practices through good explanations from the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding and knowledge of the Local Safeguarding Children Board's procedure. She recently attended training in child protection and always discusses the procedures for ensuring children's care is paramount to parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have good opportunities to become independent and are confident in their environment. They freely access drinks and are encouraged to access toys freely and independently. They are happy and settled and build warm relationships with other children, playing well together and learning to take turns and share. There is a good range of activities, which children are

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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 fully involved in and enjoy, such as jigsaws, role play, arts, crafts, garage, dolls and visits to the park and other childminders in the area. She also visits the local library where children help to choose books and attend the story time. The childminder has a good selection of outside play equipment and also encourages the children to use their imagination both indoors and outdoors. For example, the children play on the bicycles, slide, sandpit and with bats and balls.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has photographs of children on outings to places of interest and also doing creative activities. For example, sticking, painting and playing with dough. Children are keen to communicate with each other and adults too. The childminder is very interested in the children and questions them well to encourage them to think and also develop their social skills. For example, children play harmoniously together making cups of tea for visitors, with good and appropriate interaction from the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children's individual needs are effectively met and detailed registration forms and talks ensure the childminder has all the information necessary to care for the children. Children are valued as individuals and are treated fairly and equally, regardless of gender, culture and ability. They have some opportunity to learn about the wider world through the resources available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and benefit from clear and consistent boundaries set by the childminder. They receive lots of praise and begin to understand right from wrong through good explanations as to why behaviour is not appropriate. Children are treated equally and taught to share and take turns, ensuring children are in a happy environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept informed of their child's development and activity, through daily verbal feedback and diaries for younger children. However, there is need for a complaint procedure to be made in line with the new regulations. This will ensure that children are cared for in a safe and caring environment and parents kept informed of regulations. The childminder has a file specifically for parents to read prior to their children staring with her. This contains some information about the family and some written policies and procedures, ensuring that parents are aware of what the childminder offers children in her care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder uses well organised rooms and resources, enabling the children to feel secure and confident. They benefit from regular training accessed by the childminder, which is effectively put into practise, including first aid and child protection.

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Organisation

Children are kept safe and healthy through the implementation of both written and verbal procedures. Most required documentation is in place and available for parents and inspections, however, registers are not completed in a correct way. The childminder displays her insurance for inspection and parents to see. This ensures that children are cared for in a safe environment.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to gather evidence of children's work and activities. The childminder now has photographs to show at inspections and also to parents that depicts evidence of children's work. For example, she has photographs of children painting, sticking, dressing up, celebrating festivals and going on outings. This ensures that children have opportunities to improve and develop all stages of their development.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to increase resources which reflect positive images of gender and disability. The childminder has some resources now that children can access that reflect all areas of equal opportunities. For example, books, jigsaws, dolls, role play, walks in the local community and the celebrating of festivals. The resources depict all areas and she explained that she is continually increasing this area. This will ensure that children are made aware of the wider world and their local community.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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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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): • ensure complaint procedure is in line with new regulations • ensure registers are completed individually daily.

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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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