Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY292609 Unique Reference Number 08 November 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 2004. She lives with her partner and two children aged six and four years in Chapel Allerton, Leeds. The family have a pet cat. The whole of the ground floor, one first floor bedroom and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available 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 three children all on a part-time basis. She walks to a local schools to take and collect children and attends local toddler groups and a lunch club.

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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. The childminder has mostly consistent hygiene procedures in place which protect children from becoming ill. They are helped to understand why they should wash their hands at certain times, particularly before a meal, touching the cat and after using the toilet. However, they are not encouraged to wash their hands before having a snack. The risk of cross infection is well considered as the childminder ensures that the children have individual towels to dry their hands on. Clear, written sickness policies and procedures are in place and these are shared with parents, ensuring they are fully aware of when they should keep their children away from others to stop the spread of infection. All required records for accidents and medication are in place and accurately maintained when required. The children are well cared for should they have an accident or require medical attention as the childminder has undertaken a first aid course,

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Helping children to be healthy

which includes training in first aid for infants and young children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides the children with a varied, balanced diet which helps to promote their good health. She is careful to avoid food that contains too much salt and she uses fresh ingredients, rather than processed food, whenever possible. Children are encouraged to try new foods and are helped, through activities and discussion, to understand why certain foods are good for them. The childminder cooperates well with parents in meeting the children's individual needs and routines and makes sure she is aware of all their requirements before children start attending. Children have easy access to drinks throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have plenty of opportunity for outdoor play which improves their physical development. They enjoy, for example, visiting the local farm to see the rabbits and joining with others from the childminding group to take part in a mini Olympics. The childminder ensures that children's home routines for rest and sleep are followed as closely as possible and ensures that quiet periods as well as active play are included in the daily routine.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well cared for in a safe environment as the childminder takes all reasonable steps to reduce the risk of hazards in the home. For example, smoke detectors and gas appliances are checked regularly. The childminder takes exceptional steps to ensure the safety of children on outings. Children always wear wristbands stating the childminder's phone number, and a first aid kit and contact numbers are taken each time in case of an emergency. Children are helped to become fully aware of road safety and take part in especially well-thought-out, planned activities, such as a road safety walk, after which children receive a medal and extend their learning by drawing pictures of traffic lights. There is a fire evacuation procedure in place for the home which is practised monthly with the children, raising their understanding of what to do in the event of a fire. This is particularly well logged and available

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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 Children are very competently supervised at all times, particularly when sleeping. Resources are well organised to allow the children to independently and safely access them. For example, toys suitable for the development of the children attending are available for them when they enter and are rotated on a regular basis to give them variety. Doors are kept secured and the garden is well enclosed allowing children the opportunity to play safely on both paved and grassed areas. Equipment the children use is well maintained, clean and suitable for the age of the children using it.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an excellent understanding of child protection procedures, which ensures the children are well protected should she have any concerns. She has increased her knowledge by attending further child protection courses. There are very effective systems in place for the safe collection of children giving parents confidence that their children will only be released to authorised persons.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled with the childminder and her family. They are involved, interested and enjoy their play. Children are comfortable in seeking support from the childminder when required, asking for help in putting on dressing-up clothes, for instance. They enjoy warm relationships with the childminder and have a good sense of belonging. She constantly offers good encouragement and praise, raising their levels of self-esteem and confidence. Children's communication skills are encouraged as the childminder listens, responds well to the children and is interested in what they have to say.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder offers a good range of activities and resources which contribute well to the children's development. She knows the children well and offers appropriate challenge and stimulation. Resources and everyday activities are adapted well to help children develop a good understanding of colours, numbers and mathematical problems. Children relate well to songs, confidently and independently putting on a music disc, after making sure there is sufficient space for them to dance. They participate well in creative activities and the experience of drawing a picture of a spider is made more enjoyable as the childminder sings about 'Incey Wincey Spider'. They are encouraged to make decisions in their play and are asked whether they would like to take home their picture or put it on the wall in the childminder's house.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Outings are well planned into the daily routine and are used effectively to help children learn to appreciate their local environment. For instance, the children enjoy feeling the prickly conker shells on a nature walk and make pictures with the leaves that have fallen from the trees. Regular visits to the local toddler and childminding groups help the children to socialise in larger groups and offer them further play opportunities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. A suitable range of resources is in place to help the children understand each other's similarities and differences. The childminder uses sensitive, age-appropriate discussion to help 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 to understand the needs of others. All children are treated with respect and, regardless of gender, are encouraged to play with all the resources available to them. Children's artwork is displayed on the walls in the childminder's home, which gives the children a good sense of belonging and shows that the childminder appreciates the work they do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder puts into practice a well-thought-out behaviour policy. This results in the children playing alongside each other successfully and behaving well. She makes good use of praise for positive behaviour; this gives support to the children and helps build their self-esteem. Clear explanations help children to understand sharing and taking turns and this is re-enforced gently by the childminder. Any inappropriate behaviour is managed in a way that is suitable for the children's age and development

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Premiership with parents is good and they are happy with the service the childminder offers. They work well together to ensure the children's needs are effectively catered for. Parents are kept fully informed about their child's day and a daily diary is offered, particularly for children less than 12 months old. A short, flexible settling-in period and discussion with parents prior to children starting ensures that parents feel confident in leaving their children. Brief but clear, written information covering policies and procedures are shared with parents. However, they are not fully informed of the complaints procedure should they have a concern about the care their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her time and resources well to create a welcoming, child-friendly environment. Children have a warm relationship with the childminder and are included in her family life. She is prepared to work flexibly to cater for parents' differing work patterns and travel arrangements and this is greatly appreciated by them. Children are competently supervised at all times and older children given support to do their homework. The children benefit from regular routines and activities which provide them with good variety and offer them sufficient challenge and stimulation.

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Organisation

The policies and procedures in place give clear support to the welfare and care of the children. All records and registers required for the efficient and safe management of the provision are in place, organised effectively and well maintained. The attendance register clearly shows that ratios are maintained within the conditions of registration. Confidentiality is respected at all times and parents are kept well informed of their child's activities. 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 it was recommended that Ofsted's address and contact number is included in the setting's complaints procedure. This has now been done giving parents the correct details should they wish to contact Ofsted.

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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

Since the last inspection 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 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 consistent routines are maintained for hand washing, in particular before snack time • ensure parents are informed of the full procedure should they wish to make a complaint.

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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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