Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY334099 Unique Reference Number 13 December 2006 Inspection date Margaret Shelborn 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 2006. She lives with her three children, 11-year-old twins and a 14-year-old, in Crossgates, Leeds. The whole of the ground floor, the first floor bathroom and the first floor large back bedroom of the childminder’s house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and, when working with another childminder, they are registered to care for a maximum of eight children at any one time. At the present time the childminder is working on her own and is currently minding seven children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. The family has a guinea pig. 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. Children are cared for in a clean, well-maintained, child-welcoming home. The childminder implements very clear and consistent routines to protect and promote children’s health. Children develop their independence, as they are able to carry out their own hygiene procedures, washing their hands as they arrive back from school, after visiting the toilet and before eating. Children have a clear understanding of the reasons why they must wash their hands. For example, the childminder has involved the children in themes about hygiene procedures using pictures and books. Children have their own individual flannels and towels. The childminder actively reduces the risk of cross infection by ensuring individual nappy changing mats are used when changing babies. She wears gloves and nappies are placed in a bag and put immediately in the bin. Accident and medication records are in place; when appropriate treatment has been given

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Helping children to be healthy

parents’ signatures and consents have been obtained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, at home and on outings, which help their general health and contribute to their bodily control and development. For example, they walk to and from school each day and enjoy taking part in outdoor games in the childminder’s garden. They visit the local park and during school holidays the older children enjoy swimming at Wetherby swimming baths.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet that is well balanced and nutritious and complies with individual needs and parents’ wishes. Menus include meat, and pasta dishes with vegetables. Snacks include lots of fruit and yogurts. The children are offered drinks with regularity. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their individual needs and parents’ wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very welcoming, totally secure and safe home. Children independently select activities from a very good range of well-maintained, very good quality, safe toys and equipment. The childminder gives careful consideration to the presentation of toys and pays particular attention to the ages and stages of the children to ensure that all resources are safe and suitable. All storage boxes are labelled with their contents and easily accessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risks of accidental injury to children are significantly minimised because the childminder has a very good awareness of potential hazards and ensures children play safely. Children are particularly well supervised at all times and the childminder provides an excellent balance between freedom to explore in the setting and limits being set. The childminder has smoke detectors on three floors and in each bedroom. She has adhered to all the safety requirements in and outside the home. An emergency evacuation procedure has been devised and is displayed. The childminder has discussed what the procedures are with the children. However, she has not yet practised carrying out her procedure.

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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's welfare and safety are important to the childminder. She has a good knowledge of child protection. The childminder has attended child protection training she knows where to seek advice if she is concerned about a child and she shares her child protection statement with all her parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of child development. She describes how she supports children’s learning through a wide range of activities. For example, she talks about how she encourages the baby to become mobile by reaching out for toys with a learning input. The childminder provides musical toys which have buttons, encouraging the baby to use little fingers and hands. She encourages the baby to crawl and follow her, and to pull themselves up by the furniture. The older children learn how to be caring towards the younger children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy, and confident and have very good relationships with the childminder. The childminder is very enthusiastic about her job. She is caring and provides very good support to all children to help them develop and further progress their skills. Children respond very well to the genuine interest shown in them and have very good self-esteem as a result of praise given to them throughout their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make independent choices about what they would like to do and spend time purposefully engaged in a range of activities. The activities they particularly enjoy include baking, being creative with modelling clay, and painting. They enjoy going out in the community to Manston Park and the library, and playing in the childminder’s garden.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very comfortable in the childminder’s company. The childminder knows the children well and responds to their individual needs. This helps them feel valued and respected as individuals. Children become aware of the wider world and learn a positive attitude towards others through regular outings. A very good choice of play resources suitable for all ages of children cared for is available. However, there are limited play resources to encourage their awareness of the diversity of the world, in particular disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are given clear boundaries for behaviour and the childminder uses her experience well to provide a positive and calm atmosphere in which children can feel relaxed and secure. The childminder helps them to negotiate and take responsibility for their own behaviour by supporting them, being a positive role model, and encouraging the children to help each other and take turns within their play. Children have participated in putting some house rules together. For example, they all take their shoes off while in the house. They are kind to each other and take turns when required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children and parents benefit from a close, friendly partnership. Parents are kept informed about their child’s day by written documentation or verbally at the end of each day. The childminder

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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 shares all her policies and procedures with her parents. Children are very content and happy in her care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children’s care is monitored and enhanced through good daily planning by the childminder. She works hard to ensure her childminding practice is developing and quality care is provided for the children she cares for. All information is kept in a confidential manner and shared with parents regularly. They are kept well informed about the service offered to their children, promoting their confidence in the provision and the children’s welfare.

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Organisation

Children move around the organised environment with ease and feel at home; this ensures they are confident and able to extend their own play and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of her responsibilities and the childminding regulations. She displays her certificate of registration and liability insurance certificate.

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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 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 emergency evacuation procedures are practised

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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 • ensure play resources are extended to promote equality of opportunity, anti-discriminatory practice and disability.

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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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