Bullock, Wendy

Inspection report for early years provision

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320695 Unique Reference Number 06 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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and four in Horsforth, a suburb of Leeds. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding nine children, all on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler and childminding groups.

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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 protected from becoming ill as the childminder puts into practice effective hygiene procedures. They have separate towels and wipes which helps reduce the risk of cross infection and older children are encouraged to become independent in their self-care. Parents are advised of the childminder's sickness policy which effectively protects the health of the other children. Children are well protected should they become ill or require medical treatment as the childminder has maintained a valid first aid certificate and her records for accidents and medication are kept accurately.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a very good understanding of providing the children with a healthy well-balanced diet and uses fresh ingredients whenever possible. Children are encouraged to taste new foods and the childminder makes sure that their meals are well presented, which encourages them to enjoy their food. Parents are consulted at the initial visit about the children's individual likes, dislikes and dietary requirements to ensure their individual needs are approprately catered for. Drinks are readily available for the children and they are given some choice in what they eat and drink, promoting their independence and confidence.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from daily outdoor activities. They walk rather than travel by car and make regular visits to parks which improves their physical development. They enjoy, for example, taking picnics in summer and visiting the animals on local farms. Children have consistent routines for rest and sleep and the childminder cooperates well with parents to maintain these in line with home routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a safe environment as the childminder ensures that all reasonable safety precautions are in place. For instance, she carries out regular risk assessments of all the areas used by the children and makes sure equipment, such as smoke alarms, are regularly checked. Good procedures are in place to keep children safe on outings. The childminder takes all contact numbers and a first aid kit with her in case of accidents. Children are helped to learn about what is dangerous and how to keep themselves safe. For example, when out walking they are constantly reminded not to run off and they are given age appropriate explanations as to why they must not run indoors. The childminder raises the children's understanding of the evacuation procedure in the home as this is practised regularly and well logged afterwards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Organisation of the indoor space allows children to move from one area to another freely, giving them independence whilst allowing good supervision. For example, children confidently move from the dining room to play in the hallway with the dolls and prams. Security of the premises is well considered. Doors are kept fastened with a security chain in place and the outside area is fully enclosed allowing children to play in a safe, secure environment. Children enjoy a wide variety of equipment which is in good, clean condition and suitable for their age and development.

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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 The childminder has a good understanding of how to protect children and is fully aware of the procedure to follow should she have any concerns about their welfare. Effective systems are in place to ensure that only authorised persons collect children offering them further protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are comfortable in their surroundings and have an affectionate, warm relationship with the childminder and each other. They are enthusiastic about their play and are well occupied throughout the day. Children happily join with others to play but are equally content and engrossed in solitary play. They are confident to seek support from the childminder, for example, if they want to play with a toy another child has taken. The childminder offers good encouragement and praise particularly when the children achieve the next stage in their development, raising their levels of self-esteem and confidence. The children make decisions about their play and are competently supported by the childminder, who uses all opportunities to extend the children's learning. For example, a stacking toy is used to teach size, colour and counting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder skilfully extends and develops children's language and communication during play. She repeats words that are not clear in their speech and children chatter happily to dolls in their pretend play. The good range of activities and resources contributes well to the children's development. They enjoy creative activities and make decisions about how their picture should look in their own scrap books. Children's individual needs are effectively catered for as the childminder has a clear understanding of their differing abilities offering support when needed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a well planned day that has a regular routine and gives time for the children to experience a wide variety of activities. For instance, stories from a good supply of books, catering for all ages, are enjoyed during quiet times and social skills are effectively developed during relaxed family-style mealtimes. Regular visits to the local toddler and childminding groups offer the children an additional variety of interesting play opportunities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are beginning to develop an awareness of their similarities and differences through an improved range of resources which reflect diversity. Outings are well planned and are used effectively to help children learn to appreciate their local environment. For instance, children enjoy collecting leaves to make pictures and spraying fir cones found on a walk. All children are respected, treated with equal concern and good communication with parents ensures that their individual needs are clearly understood and planned for.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and play harmoniously together as the childminder ensures that children are kept fully occupied and not bored. Good behaviour and manners are valued and encouraged through the effective use of praise. This supports the children in learning right from wrong and helps build their self-esteem. Children are beginning to develop an

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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 understanding of sharing and taking turns through skilful use of activities, such as games. Methods for dealing with any inappropriate behaviour are sensitive and consistent.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works well alongside parents to ensure that the children's individual needs are well catered for. Good use of a daily diary ensures an effective two-way sharing of information and keeps parents well informed of their child's day. A file containing procedures and information about the childminder's qualifications is shared with parents keeping them well informed about the service the childminder offers. However, although parents are given forms to complete should they have a complaint or concern, they are not fully informed of the correct procedure to follow. Parents have positive views of the care their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children settle quickly with the childminder and have a warm relationship with her. The childminder makes effective use of the rooms in her house to offer a welcoming, child-friendly environment in which children can be easily supervised. The day is planned well to give a good variety of activities and many opportunities for socialising with other groups of children. It also allows for periods of rest and quiet, especially for older children after a busy day at school. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to gaining further qualifications and her involvement with the local childminder group. This broadens the range of the children's experiences and increases the childminder's knowledge which contributes to the quality of care she gives.

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Organisation

The wide range of policies and procedures, which continue to be more effective each time they are updated, offers good support to the welfare, care and learning of the children. All required records and registers are maintained accurately and contribute well to the effectiveness of the setting. They are appropriately organised, stored confidentially and easily accessible. The number of children in place at any one time is kept well within the conditions of registration thus offering a high level of adult support and interaction. 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 the range of resources which reflect positive images of ethnicity, disability, gender and culture be enhanced. The childminder has increased the resources and activities she offers to the children which help them to consider and value diversity.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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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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): • make available to parents details of the procedure to follow should they have a complaint or concern.

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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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