Macintyre Julie

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY319261 Inspection date 19 June 2006 Inspector Jane Elizabeth O'Callaghan

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her partner and three children aged eight, five and three years old on the outskirts of the town of Pudsey. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school. She attends the local parent and toddler group, takes children to the local park and to places of interest. The childminder is registered for a total of four children under the age of eight years. She currently has two children on roll, attending part time and some school holidays.

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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 The childminder is a member of the local and National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children enjoy a range of good overall physical activity, which contributes to the children's overall good health. Every day the children benefit from outdoor activities. For example, children have regular walks and visit local parks and places of interest. Indoors, children have use of a spacious environment where there is freedom to move around and develop independence and self confidence. For example, children have the use of a playroom for messy play and construction activities and a lounge for relaxing. Children are well nourished and receive healthy snacks and meals. For example, there is access to fresh fruit snacks and healthy meals, which include meat and vegetables. Children are able to access regular drinks freely. Dietary needs are met well through discussion with parents, recording and following their wishes. Children are learning the importance of hygiene practices, by the childminder

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Helping children to be healthy

encouraging appropriate hand washing. For example, children use individual paper towels, therefore, preventing cross infection. The childminder also has a good procedure when changing nappies. For example, the use of disposable changing mats, wipes and also nappy sacks. All the correct policies and procedures for the completing and monitoring of accident and medication records are in place. For example, they contain parent's written permission for completing accidents and the giving of medication.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home where risks are mostly identified and minimised. They are kept safe by the childminder's understanding of suitable safety procedures. This means the children are able to move around safely and with confidence and are learning how to keep safe. For example, the children are supervised well when out walking with the childminder and they are made aware of road safety. The childminder gives suitable priority to promoting children's safety. However, the fire blanket is not sited in the kitchen and fire drills are not practised with the children. The childminder talks to children about fire drill procedures, so children have some awareness of keeping safe. All activities, equipment and resources are in good condition and checked regularly for safety. The childminder has the required procedures in place to ensure children's safety is protected and promoted. She has attended some training in child protection

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and is aware of confidentiality in this area. The childminder has some policies and procedures relating to caring for children in a safe environment. For example, lost

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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 and uncollected policies and she uses a password for the collection of children by people she does not know. The childminder has relevant information relating to the Birth to three matters framework and is in the process of attending training in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy and relate well to the childminder. The childminder interacts well with the children, encouraging them to share and take turns. The childminder has a good understanding of children's needs and they are beginning to learn through the toys, equipment and activities available. For example, children can access magnetic boards, play houses, jigsaws, dressing up, creative and constructive activities. This develops children's independence and confidence, through all toys being at children's reach. The childminder has a good selection of toys available for outdoor play. For example, sit and rides, scooters, sand, water tray, swing, however, at present the rear garden is not accessible. The childminder still ensures that children are taken out daily for walks, to places of interest and also to local care and childminding groups. This ensures children's social and physical skills

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are developed. The childminder interacts well with the children through good communication, and conversation is encouraged through visits to local parent and toddler groups, daily visits to school, parks and places of interest. The children are very sociable and keen to talk about their own everyday experiences, both with the childminder and in their own environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children's good behaviour is reinforced by the childminder's appropriate use of praise. For example, the childminder is heard to encourage and praise children for saying 'well done', 'thank you' and 'please'. The childminder also responds well to individual needs. For example, she understands the children's likes and dislikes. The childminder has some resources and activities that promote areas of equal opportunities. For example, celebrating of different festivals, books, jigsaws and role play. She is fully aware of the need to continually enhance this area in order to promote a positive view of all areas of equal opportunities. The children's care is mostly promoted appropriately as the childminder works in partnership with the parents by providing daily verbal feedback. However, the complaints procedure needs to be updated for parents. The childminder ensures that

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Helping children make a positive contribution

parents are made fully aware of her provision, through an information pack available for them.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit appropriately from an organised and friendly environment. The children are cared for in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. This enables them to develop independence and confidence when carrying out daily activities. The childminder has most documentation available. For example, she has registration forms, medication and accident forms with relevant information, some written policies and procedures. However, the daily register needs to be completed. The childminder has a registration certificate, however, this is not displayed for parents to see. The childminder attends training and is keen to continue with training opportunities through the local childminding group. 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 have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 fire drills are practised and recorded • ensure the fire blanket is sited in the kitchen

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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 • develop the complaint procedure to meet new regulations • ensure that the registration certificate is displayed • ensure that registers are completed daily.

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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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