Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY331213 Unique Reference Number 02 October 2006 Inspection date Kaldip Kaur Chaggar-Brown 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 March 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and two in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, as is a first floor bathroom and bedroom. 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 aged under eight years at any one time. Currently the childminder is minding four children aged less than eight years and one child aged over eight years. Children are minded on both a full-time and part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local parent and toddler groups. The family have a pet rabbit.

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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 enjoy a good range of activities which contribute to their good health. They actively learn about healthy eating at snack and mealtimes as the childminder talks to them about eating food that is good for them. Children have good access to fresh fruit as they can choose this from the fruit bowl as they wish. Children develop their social skills as they sit together around a table enjoying their snack. Children freely access their drink, developing their independence and choice. The childminder gathers relevant information from parents about children’s dietary requirements. The childminder follows very good procedures when preparing food as she washes her hands before preparing snacks. Steps taken to keep food preparation areas clean and for the correct storage of food are effective in keeping children safe.

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Helping children to be healthy

Good arrangements are in place to prevent the spread of infection as sick children are not cared for. The childminder has effective arrangements in place to keep the home environment clean. Children are learning about the importance of keeping clean as they undertake routine hygiene practices, such as cleaning their hands with wipes, and the childminder talks to them about why it is important to keep clean. The childminder has good arrangements in place for recording accidents and administering medication. Appropriate parental permissions have been obtained from parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that children consistently take part in physical activities. For example, children are taken on regular walks and they take part in games, such as an egg and spoon race in the garden. Children are developing their physical skills, such as climbing and balancing when using hoops.

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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 welcoming environment with children’s work displayed in the kitchen. Children move around safely and freely between indoor and outdoors. The premises are well utilised, in particular the garden is separated into different areas, ensuring that very young children have a separate area to play in safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The range of equipment and toys is age appropriate, stimulating and offers appropriate challenges. Children enjoy playing with what is available; they access toys from low storage containers. However, children’s sensory and tactile experiences are limited as most toys are made of plastic.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is fully aware of her responsibility to keep children safe. She has made effective use of safety precautions to provide a safe environment; for example, anti-slam devices are used on internal doors. Children are learning about road safety and the importance of waiting for the ‘green man’ at the crossing. The childminder reinforces safety messages through the use of colouring in sheets. The childminder has drawn up an evacuation plan which is practised

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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 by the children, resulting in them becoming familiar with the procedure. However, arrangements as to how the bedroom is to be evacuated are not included in the procedure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has a suitable understanding of her responsibility with regard to child protection. She understands what to do if she has any concerns. A confidentiality policy is place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled at the childminder’s. She demonstrates a warm, caring manner and children are confident in approaching her for support. She provides good emotional support. The interaction between the childminder and the children is very good. She gives them her full attention when they talk to her, making eye contact and offering smiles. Children learn about the use of good manners, such as saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, as the childminder encourages children to use such words.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children share toys and play well alongside each other. They are involved in their play and enjoy playing with the toys. The childminder makes appropriate suggestions as to what they can do next. She listens to a child’s request for a story. The childminder and the children sit closely together on the sofa and enjoy the story, which they have read together a number of times before. The childminder encourages children to think about the noises animals make. As the children are familiar with the story, they all join in together when making the noises. The children enjoy this relaxing time together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how children learn and develop. Activities are often linked to themes, such as collecting leaves on a walk during autumn time. The childminder uses effective strategies to ensure that both younger and older children are occupied when minded at the same time. Children enjoy being involved in a wide range of stimulating activities, including creative and imaginative play. Children are taken on outings to the park and further afield to The National Museum of Photography, Film and Television and they visit the local library and toddler groups. The childminder has photographs of activities that children have undertaken, such as decorating T-shirts, skipping and baking, so that parents can see what they have been involved in. The childminder records children’s progress in profiles which are shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident in making decisions about what they want to eat and where they want to sit. They explore and investigate their environment as they move around freely. The childminder explained that she offers flexibility and that children are involved in deciding what they want to do. Children’s individual needs are met and their welfare is promoted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder understands the importance of working together and sharing information with parents. She has good settling in arrangements for new children as pre-visits are made. Children

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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 benefit from this effective partnership as their needs are discussed and met. Daily discussions take place regarding children’s care and include activities and outings undertaken.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder knows children well and this helps them to feel a sense of belonging. The childminder states in her equal opportunities policy that children are treated as individuals and that she promotes access and inclusion for all. Children have access to a satisfactory range of toys that reflect positive images of the world around them. The childminder explains that children benefit from activities that help them value diversity, such as discussions about why someone may have a guide dog.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed a behaviour management policy that is implemented well. Children understand what is expected of them and they are praised for sharing and being aware of others. Their behaviour is good. Age-appropriate methods used to manage children’s behaviour are excellent, such as gently talking to a child, distraction and ‘well done’ certificates. The behaviour management policy states that children are encouraged to be self-disciplined and have respect for each other. The childminder acts as a good role model as she remains calm and talks to the children in a quiet voice.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder promotes positive outcomes for children. She is committed to her own personal development and improving her childcare practice; for example, she has attended the required training courses and the first module of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework. Documentation is individual to the setting and is very well organised. All required records and permissions have been completed.

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Organisation

Good use is made of space and resources to meet children’s needs in relation to when they are active, playing quietly or need a sleep. Daily routines provide an organised and supportive environment which results in children being well cared for.

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Organisation

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

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required 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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Complaints 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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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): • extend the fire evacuation procedure to include details of what to do if children are sleeping upstairs in case of an evacuation • increase play provision to include toys and resources made from natural materials.

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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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