Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY242721 Unique Reference Number 14 August 2006 Inspection date Linda Filewood 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 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 was registered in October 2002. She lives with her family in Tinshill, a suburb of Leeds and has a daughter aged five years old. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, with access to a toilet and bathroom on the first floor. The rear garden is not suitable 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 is currently minding two children on a part-time basis. The premises are within walking distance of local schools, shops and parks.

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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 good. Children are well protected from becoming ill as the childminder puts into practice clear, consistent hygiene procedures. For example, children take their shoes off on arrival to prevent dirt from outside being walked onto the floor they play on. Older children manage their self-care independently and are reminded to flush the toilet and use soap when washing their hands. They are helped to understand that washing germs off hands will keep them healthy and are given a leaflet to take home to emphasise the importance of this. Parents are clearly advised to keep sick children at home to prevent the spread of infection between all the children, as well as the childminder and her family. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and all required documentation, such as accident and medication records, is in place to safeguard the children's welfare. However, parental permission is not consistently requested at the time

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Helping children to be healthy

of placement to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment, causing a potential delay should such treatment be required.

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Helping children to be healthy

The meals the childminder provides are nutritious and provide the children with a well balanced, varied diet. Fruit is always offered during the day and children are given sufficient choice without being overwhelmed. Younger children are encouraged to feed themselves but help is given if they are tired to ensure they eat enough. Parents are asked about dietary requirements at registration to ensure their child's individual dietary needs are well catered for. Drinks are readily available for the children and babies' bottles of milk are appropriately stored until required.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy plenty of regular outings and trips, for instance to adventure playgrounds, to develop their physical skills. They enjoy, for example, walking round the park after a visit to a hot-house to see the butterflies. The childminder plans her day well to allow for periods of activity as well as rest and relaxation in line with the children's own routines. She competently recognises signs of tiredness and skilfully offers more support to reduce the risk of conflict and frustration.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are competently cared for in a safe environment as the childminder ensures that all necessary safety precautions are in place. For instance, a safety gate is placed across the living room doorway and outside doors are kept locked at all times. Children are helped to understand the importance of keeping themselves safe when on outings. They know that they need to continue listening for cars whilst crossing the road and that they must not run off at any time. There is a well written fire evacuation procedure for the home which is practised and understood by the children, raising their awareness of what to do in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Organisation of the indoor space and resources allows the children to move freely and easily, encouraging independence. For example, children confidently choose a book from a good variety to sit quietly and enjoy. They are encouraged to tidy up and the age-appropriate

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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 explanation given by the childminder helps the children appreciate the importance of having a clear play space and avoiding hazards around the home. Children enjoy a wide variety of clean, good quality equipment which is suitable for their age and development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as the childminder has updated her training on child protection and has a sound understanding of child protection procedures. There are effective systems in place for the safe collection of children. A written child protection policy is shared with parents making clear the childminder's duty in caring for their children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are fully occupied and settle quickly into the daily routine. Their individual needs and abilities are effectively catered for as the childminder ensures she receives sufficient information from parents to continue their child's development. Children play happily alongside each other cooperating, for instance, in making a wooden train track. They respond well to the childminder and are happy in her company. Children participate well in all the activities and their independence is promoted as they make decisions about what they would like to play with next. They are confident to ask for what they want, for example, a particular coloured pencil for their drawing, and the skilful use of encouragement and praise by the childminder raises their self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a good variety of activities and resources which she uses well to promote the children's learning and development. She offers appropriate support when needed to extend the children's imaginative games. For example, knowing where to find the equipment needed for the doctor when a 'baby' has a cough so that children can continue their game using the right tools. The teaching of numbers and colours, for instance, is woven into the daily play by the use of competent questioning to make children think. The children are encouraged to become confident speakers and the childminder ensures she listens carefully to new children until she understands what they are saying to her.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The good range of outings planned for the children offers them a variety of different experiences. From a ride on a main-line train, for instance, to a ride on a miniature train around the grounds of a large hall on a day out. Discussions about the outings improve the children's communication skills and they confidently talk about the penguins and baby terrapins seen on other visits to local places of interest. They meet up with other children and learn to play within larger groups through regular attendance at the toddler group, improving their social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have access to an adequate range of resources and play opportunities that help them appreciate each other's similarities and differences. They are beginning to learn about people who help them and draw pictures of their mummy, for example, to put into a booklet. The easy access of resources and toys ensures that children are able to play with all the equipment

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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 available to them. The childminder gives good support to younger children to enable them to fully enjoy the activities at a level they can understand.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are given clear, age-appropriate explanations as to why some behaviour is unacceptable. As a result the children respond well to the childminder's consistent guidance and generally behave appropriately. They are encouraged to take turns and are beginning to understand about sharing. The childminder uses positive measures for managing behaviour which help children learn to understand the needs of others and play together harmoniously. Good manners are encouraged and the children are polite and courteous.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works very well with the parents, creating a good relationship and greatly benefiting the children by ensuring that all their needs are known and catered for. Parents receive a comprehensive variety of information, both written and verbal, about the care the childminder offers. Babies have a daily diary for the two way sharing of information which records, for example, their food intake. New children have an effective trial period and they settle very well once mum has left for the first time. Parents have good views on the service the childminder provides and are confident their children are being well looked after.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her space and resources to create a child-friendly environment where the children's independence in choosing their own activities is promoted. Children are settled and comfortable in their routines. They are competently supervised whilst in the home and on outings and their day is planned effectively to give them a good variety of activities whilst also allowing for quiet periods. The childminder shows good commitment to extending her knowledge. For instance, she has recently attended training in the 'Birth to three matters' framework which she is introducing into her practice, contributing to the increasing quality of care offered to the children.

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Organisation

There is a good range of written policies and procedures in place which effectively promote the safety and well-being of the children. These are clear, comprehensive and updated regularly in line with changes to regulation. The childminder is well organised and all records and registers required for the efficient and safe management of the provision are in place, accurately maintained and easily accessible. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was judged inadequate as she had not maintained a current appropriate first aid certificate that included training in first aid for infants and young children. The childminder has now updated her training and has obtained a valid certificate improving the care and safety of the children she minds.

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Improvements 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

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that parental permission is consistently requested at the time of placement to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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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