Nelson, Amanda Michelle

Nelson, Amanda Michelle Inspection report for early years provision

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EY231449 Unique Reference Number 27 March 2007 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 1999. She lives with her husband and daughter aged nine in Yeadon, a suburb of Leeds. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and two upstairs bedrooms are available for the children to sleep in. 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 five children, all on a part-time basis. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler and childminding groups and takes children to the local parks and library.

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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. Children's health is protected as the childminder puts into practice effective hygiene procedures. For example, cutlery dropped on the floor during mealtimes is washed before the children use it again and a clear explanation is offered to the children. Children are well looked after if they become ill or have an accident whilst in the childminder's care. The childminder and her husband have both maintained a current paediatric first aid qualification. Any accidents and medication given are well documented. Written parental consent is obtained prior to giving medication and for the seeking of any emergency treatment, should it be required. A clear written sickness policy is shared with parents so that they know not to bring their children when they are ill to protect the health of others. The use of individual towels and bedding for the children helps to stop the spread of infection between each child, the childminder and her family.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes the children's good health by ensuring that they enjoy a varied and nutritious diet. Meals are cooked fresh each day and are a valued part of the daily routine. All children sit together around the table to enjoy their food and younger children are given good encouragement to feed themselves. Children are offered healthy choices for snacks and often help to prepare the lunchtime meal. The childminder works well with parents to meet the children's individual dietary requirements and preferences. Drinks are readily available for them, especially at mealtimes and after waking up from a sleep.

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Helping children to be healthy

Outdoor play, on both paved and grassed areas, plus regular visits to the local parks improve the children's physical development. They enjoy, for example, feeding the ducks in the park or playing on the slide in the back garden. Young children's developing skills are encouraged and the childminder ensures that the equipment she provides is sturdy enough to support their weight as they pull themselves up on it. The childminder cooperates well with parents to provide for young children's individual rest and sleep patterns within her daily routine.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised whilst in the childminder's care as good safety and security precautions are in place. For instance, doors and gates are securely fastened and a fireguard is in place around the gas fire. Children are helped to understand the importance of keeping themselves safe. For instance, they are reminded to sit on their chairs correctly at mealtimes so that they do not fall. Children are encouraged to tidy up before getting new toys out to give themselves sufficient space to play safely. The childminder carries out regular, well logged fire drills with the children, raising their awareness of what to do in the event of an evacuation. However, these do not fully protect children who sleep upstairs as they do not practise evacuation from the bedrooms that children use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Organisation of the indoor and outdoor space allows the childminder to easily supervise the children at all times. Children are confident in accessing the resources available to them. For instance, they easily reach to choose a jigsaw to play with that is stored on shelving in the front room. Children enjoy a wide variety of equipment which is in good, clean condition and suitable for their age and development. The garden is safe, secure and allows children the opportunity to play on both paved and grassed areas. Safety on outings is well considered. Young children are securely fastened into the pushchair and all children wear wristbands showing the

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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 childminder's contact details. A clear written policy and procedure for outings is in place giving parents confidence that their children are being well looked after when away from the childminder's home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has attended further training on child protection issues and this ensures that children are well protected. She has a sound understanding of child protection procedures and is clear in her duty to protect the welfare and safety of all the children she looks after. Parents are well advised of the procedures in place for the safe collection of children and their care if they are not collected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and involved in a good range of activities which effectively support their all round development. They play happily and communicate well with each other. Children enjoy warm relationships with the childminder and confidently go to her for help or for a hug. She is interested in the children, patiently answers their questions and constantly praises and encourages them, which raises their levels of self-esteem and confidence. Children are comfortable in their routines and the clear explanations given by the childminder about what is going to happen during the day gives children a clear sense of security.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children begin to spend short periods engaged in activities that interest them as their concentration span increases. They often return to a favourite toy to continue their imaginative play of cooking in the 'kitchen', for example. Older children are encouraged to pair up with younger children when playing games so that all ages can enjoy the activity. This helps them learn to share, to take turns and play by the rules. The childminder makes good use of the library to extend her resources, borrowing new activity sacks, for example, which provide further play opportunities, stimulation and challenge for the children. The children's learning is well supported through good interaction from the childminder and she uses questions skilfully to develop the children's thought processes. For example, young children attempting a hard jigsaw are given good support to maintain their interest through to completion as the childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

talks about how well they are doing and what they are seeing in each piece.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are helped to develop their social skills as they regularly attend local toddler and childminding groups where they learn to play with larger groups of children. They benefit from a good range of outings to local amenities and parks and extend the experiences in a range of activities, such as making windmills, when they get home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The suitable range of resources and activities provided by the childminder helps children develop an understanding of diversity. They are becoming aware of the wider world through regular outings and the celebrating of some festivals. For example, they enjoy making pictures at Divali and pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. All children are given equal respect and regardless of gender have access to the full range of activities and resources. Children's individual requirements are discussed with parents before they start attending to ensure that their needs are capably met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play harmoniously alongside each other, are well behaved and polite. The childminder manages behaviour according to age and level of understanding. Older children help in devising the house rules. This helps children learn to understand boundaries and right from wrong.

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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 Children are beginning to show an understanding of sharing and taking turns and this is reinforced regularly by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works satisfactorily with parents to help new children settle in her care. She is respectful of their views and wishes and they share information to ensure that children receive continuity of care. Parents are verbally informed about the service the childminder offers and are shown a selection of written information covering policies and procedures, the childminder's certificates and photographs of typical activities. Good relationships have been formed with the parents and they are confident that their children are being well looked after.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder competently organises her space, both inside and outside the home to create a welcoming, homely environment for the children. Daily activities are effectively planned to allow for periods of quiet as well as activity and take account of the children's interests. The childminder makes good use of local facilities and outings are planned carefully into the daily routine of school runs. The childminder shows excellent commitment to improving her knowledge by attending a wide variety of further training and promoting her personal development. This benefits the children as she puts this knowledge into use by providing them with an extended range of learning experiences.

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Organisation

The welfare, care and safety of the children is supported well as clear policies and procedures, including one for complaints, are put effectively into use. Parents are well informed about the service the childminder provides and their child's daily activities. All records and registers required for the efficient and safe management of the provision are in place. They are accurately documented and confidentially is maintained at all times. Correct ratios are constantly upheld and the childminder's husband acts as an assistant, with parental permission, when needed to give extra support. 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 childminder ensured that the storage of toys did not pose a hazard to children. Large pieces of equipment have now been moved from the top of the storage unit when children are present so that they now play safely and easily access all the resources.

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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 complaints 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): • ensure that the fire drills also include evacuation from upstairs bedrooms to ensure the safety of children when sleeping.

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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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