Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY218595 Unique Reference Number 26 October 2006 Inspection date Thecla Grant 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and 15 years, in the suburbs of Leeds. The whole of the 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five all day, and one child over five before and after school. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family has a bird and tropical fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected from infection because the childminder teaches them simple good hygiene practices from an early age. They are taught to wash their hands after they have used

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Helping children to be healthy

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 toilet and to clean their hands with wipes before lunch. Young children know that the table must be clean before they eat. For example, while waiting for snack, a two-year-old tells the childminder that she is going to clean the table for her. Children are well nourished; they are offered choices for lunch time and snacks. Children choose to have an orange with their morning drink. Meal times are social occasions where the childminder and the children sit together around the table and enjoy each others company.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well taken care of if they have an accident or become ill because the childminder is trained in administering first aid. She has appropriate permission in place and records signed by parents regarding medication and accidents. During the morning a minor accident occurred which was dealt with effectively, however, the childminder did not record it in the accident book.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children rest and sleep according to their needs and they take part in regular physical exercise. For example, they play in the garden on the wheeled toys and they visit the park. When discussed with the children what they do when they visit the park they say, "We climb and go up and down and round and round".

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a warm and inviting environment; the soft sounds of nursery rhymes playing in the back ground add to the inviting atmosphere. The children have a good choice of toys and equipment. These are attractively set out on the carpet and are easily accessed in the low cupboard. Toys and equipment are age appropriate and provide a suitable challenge to children. As a result, they enjoy playing with what is available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about what is dangerous and how to keep themselves safe. They learn about fire safety and know that they must not play on the stairs when accessing the toilet. Younger children show a good understanding of this when they say, "We don't mess about on the stairs, do we?" Children are appropriately safe in the childminder's home because she is aware of her responsibilities to keep them safe. For example, safety gates are erected to prevent children from accessing the kitchen and first floor without being supervised. However, children are not effectively secure in the childminder's home because the front door is left unlocked, unless the children are playing nearby.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of how to protect children from abuse and recognises this as her first priority. As a result, children are safeguarded because the childminder understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are involved in a broad range of planned activities and spontaneous events, which supports their development and learning. The theme is 'Autumn' and the younger children have picked leaves to stick on the tree they are making. Older children are making decorations out of snow patterned letters. Younger children become playfully engaged as they play an electronic game called 'Follow me'. They are able to follow the buttons as they light up and recognise most of the colours.

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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 Children have an excellent time at the childminder's home. They access a wealth of activities and thoroughly enjoy themselves. They make pictures with fuzzy felts and together with the childminder make up a story. Children are confident and competent language users; they have a very good relationship with the childminder who listens to them. The childminder uses every opportunity during the day to teach children and expand their language skills. For example, after toileting, the childminder counts the stairs with the children, each step to represent a number. As a result, children are happy and settled.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a strong sense of identity and are beginning to recognise themselves as part of a family. They recognise family members such as cousins. The children learn about diversity through the celebration of different festivals, for example, Diwali and Christmas. They easily access resources that positively reflect the local community and play happily with them for long periods of time. As a result, children effectively benefit from activities and resources which help them to value diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy being with the childminder and know they can approach her any time they want to for a cuddle. Children understand the rules of the childminder's home, but occasionally test their boundaries. The childminder is consistent in her approach to behaviour management. As a result, children learn to respond to appropriate expectations for their behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have their individual needs effectively met by the childminder because she works in close partnership with their parents. For example, parents receive an information pack about her setting. They share personal details about their children to ensure they are cared for according to their wishes. This includes information about their fears, dislikes and comfort items. The childminder has a policy with regard to caring for children with learning difficulties. There are no children with learning difficulties or disabilities currently attending.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder makes very good use of the space and other resources in her home, therefore, children are well cared for and supported during their time with her. The childminder effectively works within the constraints of her registered numbers. She is committed toward her personal development and has attended relevant courses and workshops. As a result, children are cared for by a childminder who has knowledge and understanding of child development.

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Organisation

The childminder has all policies and procedures in place. These effectively work in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. The childminder has a very good understanding of the vetting procedures and systems are in place to make sure children continue to be protected.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop resources to reflect images of disability, to devise policies and improve the organisation of resources. The childminder has purchased resources to reflect disability. She has written a sick children policy and improved

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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 the organisation of her resources. Children access resources from the low cupboard. The childminder shares information on the children's day with their parents. As a result, children readily access resources to reflect images of disability and clear policies ensure that parents are well informed about their children and the procedures of the setting.

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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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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 sure children cannot leave the premises unsupervised and that all accidents to children occurring whilst in the care of the childminder are recorded in an accident book at the earliest convenience after they occur.

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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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