Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY335693 Unique Reference Number 06 November 2006 Inspection date Ingrid Szczerban 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 2006 and lives in a semi-detached house in the Calverley area of Leeds, West Yorkshire. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and nine. The whole of the ground floor, the conservatory, dining room and living room are used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding five children. She walks to a local school to take and collect children and attends a toddler group each week with younger children.

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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. Children learn about simple personal hygiene and personal care as part of the days routines as they are reminded to wash hands after using the potty. The home is very clean and tidy as the childminder follows a regular cleaning routine, which prevents the spread of infection to children. In order to protect children when they are ill, the childminder implements an adequate sickness policy. However, the procedure is not in written form, which is a useful reference for parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with regular drinks and food in good supply in order to meet their needs. These include healthy and nutritious foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables. Children's individual dietary needs are adhered to and all children are encouraged to try new foods. The childminder does not give children foods that are high in sugar content, such as biscuits.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children engage in robust physical activity. They walk to school each day, visit local playgrounds after school and attend a toddler group each week. Hence children build their stamina, and extend their climbing, balancing, running and ball skills. Children rest and sleep according to their individual needs to keep them healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have ample space to move around freely in a secure and safe environment in the home. The risk of accidental injury to children is minimised as necessary precautions are taken to keep children safe on and off the premises. Children have free access to their toys which are stored at child height to enable independence. Further toys are stored in a cupboard and rotated to sustain children's interest. Sufficient, suitable and safe resources are provided for the ages of the children attending, thereby keeping them from harm. All children are encouraged to help to keep themselves safe. For instance, they learn that leaving toys on the floor can be dangerous and they help to tidy up.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a basic understanding of child protection issues. She has written procedures to follow should the need arise. These are in accordance with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance in order to adequately protect children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have good relationships with their childminder, they are happy, well-settled and receive plenty of attention and reassuring cuddles. Children benefit from regular routines planned around their needs, such as meal times and sleep times, which contributes to their emotional well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience a range of activities both inside and outside the home. Older children like to create using a variety of craft materials and their artwork is prominently displayed which

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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 boosts their self-esteem. Younger children use their imaginations well. They initiate their own role play, putting dolls into a cot and covering them with a blanket. Children begin to learn about the world around them through small world play and on outings. They know the various noises made by animals, and can distinguish between whales and dolphins. Social skills are developed through weekly visits to a toddler group with the younger children. Children's pleasure in books is fostered very well. Regular trips to the library are undertaken to select books and participate in story time. The message is reinforced at the childminder's home where an ample supply of books is provided and stories form part of the daily routine. As a result, young children listen very well, they point to familiar objects and can describe what they see,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

all of which are essential pre-literacy skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident and communicate very well because the childminder promotes and extends conversations to help them develop this skill. Young children can communicate effectively with simple words and gestures because the childminder is attuned to their individual speech patterns. They sing songs spontaneously and are praised for their efforts. This further develops children's pleasure in their emergent language skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder ensures that resources and activities positively represent individuals from the wider community which helps children develop a positive attitude towards others. High value is given to the customs and cultures of other countries. Children learn about foods and festivals from other countries, thus they begin to appreciate and value diversity. Suitable arrangements would be made to welcome children who may have special needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A strength of the setting is the implementation of effective strategies to manage children's behaviour. Children are given choices, listened to and their views are respected. They choose their favourite yoghurt and select their preferred stories. Lots of praise and encouragement is given to children, boosting confidence and self-esteem. Children are well behaved and display good manners. They get on well together because the childminder teaches them to share, respect and consider the needs of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good partnerships developed between childminder and parents. They are cared for according to parents' wishes which promotes continuity of care. There are systems in place to ensure information is shared on a regular basis about the child's progress and daily activities, through written policies, daily chats and some written feedback. Parents are warmly welcomed and, when collecting children, stay for a while to talk about their progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Space is organised well to meet the needs of the children, so that they are able to initiate their own play and learning. Routines are organised effectively to meet children's needs and they are kept safe due to the childminder's good awareness of vetting procedures for adults. Children receive good levels of individual support, time and attention from the childminder who maintains

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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 the correct adult-child ratio. All required documentation is kept, the registration certificate is displayed and the register is accurate and up to date. The first aid course and the childminding training have not yet been completed by the newly registered childminder. Some written policies have been produced, but they are not always consistent with practice. For example, the written behaviour management policy does not accurately reflect the good practice observed.

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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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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): • complete an appropriate first aid course and the childminding training course • devise a written sickness policy to share with parents • review and develop existing written information for sharing with parents.

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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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