Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY241486 Unique Reference Number 15 January 2007 Inspection date Liz Whitehead 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 2002. She lives with her husband and three children aged 16, 12 and 10 years, in the Moortown area of Leeds. With the exception of the utility room, the ground floor of the property is used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a dog.

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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 currently cares for a number of children on a part-time basis. She takes and collects children from school and they attend local groups. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and also the local childminding network.

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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 learn about good personal hygiene through consistently washing their hands before meals, after toileting and after stroking the dog. To reduce the risk of cross infection each child has an individual towel which is colour coded to enable them to easily recognise which is theirs. The childminder effectively promotes children's well-being through consistently applying the infections and illness policy. All parents are made fully aware of this and that she does not care for children who are ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Mealtimes are a relaxed occasion with children sitting and eating together at a child-sized table. The childminder stays close by and develops their social skills through encouraging them to talk about their day. Healthy and varied meals are provided in accordance with the children’s individual dietary requirements and their parent’s wishes. The childminder is flexible regarding the provision of meals and is happy for children to bring food with them. Children enjoy eating fruit and vegetables and have cherry tomatoes and cucumber sticks with their lunch. The childminder has developed her own knowledge of how to promote children's health through attending a children's food and nutrition course.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have many opportunities for exercise, fresh air and outdoor activities when walking to school, playing in the garden and at the park. They regularly practise large physical movements when sliding, swinging, running and riding bicycles. Children learn about the effect that exercise has on their body. They recognise when they are thirsty and freely access drinks from their colour coded cups. They sleep according to their individual requirements, routines and their parent’s wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. A first aid box is readily accessible in the home and one is always taken on outings to ensure that any minor accidents are dealt with quickly and appropriately. To ensure that parents can be contacted at all times both a land line and mobile telephone are available and written contact details are taken on outings. To keep children safe appropriate car seats, that are suitable for all ages, are consistently used when transporting children in the car.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Appropriate precautions have been taken to minimise risks to children and a brief health and safety policy is in place. The childminder effectively raises children's awareness of the emergency evacuation procedure. It is practised regularly to ensure that they are fully aware of how to leave the home quickly and safely. A fire blanket is readily available in the kitchen and there are five smoke alarms fitted in the home to keep children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected as all parents are made aware of the childminder’s responsibility regarding child protection. She has a written policy and literature to refer to regarding the signs, symptoms and procedure to follow. The childminder is aware of the importance of recording existing

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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 injuries, although these are not countersigned by the parents. She has attended training to increase her knowledge and confidence in dealing with any issues.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children share a warm and trusting relationship and form close bonds with the childminder. They openly approach her for hugs and kisses. They benefit from good quality interaction with the childminder who makes learning a fun and pleasant experience for them. She makes valuable links between the various aspects of children's lives through talking about their time at nursery and at home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Many activities promote children's language development. A wide range of books are available for children to freely access. They confidently select favourite books and sit on the childminder’s knee and concentrate well as they read stories together. The childminder continually talks to children and asks questions to extend their play. She listens to their answers and values their opinions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A good range of activities appropriately cover the areas of learning. The childminder follows consistent routines throughout the day to ensure that children are familiar with what to expect. Outings are planned for the mornings and children have the opportunity to access a very wide range of creative activities after lunch. Children develop an active imagination and assume a number of roles, through dressing up and acting out familiar situations, such as being at the dentist. Children learn about the natural world and living things through a range of outings, for example, to the farm and to Tropical World. They are able to socialise with others of a similar age through attending local groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn basic mathematical concepts through a number of activities, including playing games. Children are encouraged to express themselves creatively through a number of mediums, such as baking, painting, gluing and drawing. Children are confident decision makers and independently select toys and resources from those available in the play room. During suitable weather, children are able to choose where they wish to play and move freely between the indoors and the outdoors.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s individual needs are met effectively as the childminder consistently applies the equal opportunities policy. This states that all people are of equal worth. She knows the children well and spends time with them all together, reading stories and individually when playing with the train track. This ensures that the children feel valued and respected.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are very good, which enables the childminder to care for children according to their parent’s wishes. The childminder has implemented a number of strategies to keep parents fully informed regarding their child's care and development. These include, daily discussions and children regularly taking home a wide range of creative work and baking.

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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 A parent states that she is extremely happy with the care that her child receives and does not think that anything can be improved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive positive images of the world through daily play and a variety of resources, such as dolls, dressing up and small world play. They develop an awareness and knowledge of a range of cultures, through celebrating festivals, making a dragon at Chinese New Year and lanterns at Diwali. During every day play children enjoy pushing a play person in a wheelchair. Children access all the toys with no stereo-typing, for example, both boys and girls play with dolls, do the vacuuming and make a cup of tea.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder consistently follows the behaviour management policy to ensure that children know what is expected of them. They learn appropriate behaviour through the childminder consistently praising them in everyday activities, for example, when tidying the toys away. She encourages the children to share, take turns and to learn patience when they both want a book reading. They both listen to one story and then the other, taking it in turns to put the Gingerbread Man through to the next page. The children work very co-operatively together to put the train track back into the box.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to developing and furthering her knowledge and skills. In addition to the required training she has attended a number of courses, including 'Birth to three matters' training, which she effectively uses in her everyday practice. Children are very settled and confident within the childminder's home due to the effective settling in procedure. They are cared for in a child-orientated environment, with a selection of toys available for them to independently access. Their art work is displayed on the walls of the dedicated play room.

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Organisation

Effective systems protect children from persons who have not been vetted, as they are not left unsupervised. Relevant checks have been completed on all appropriate adults. Details of persons authorised to collect children are recorded, and a password system is in operation to ensure that children do not leave with unauthorised persons.

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Organisation

Parents are appropriately informed about the childcare service as the childminder has compiled a file of relevant information including policies and procedures which are unique to her setting. The certificate of registration is prominently displayed for parents to view.

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Organisation

Most of the required documentation is in place and confidentiality is sufficiently maintained as records are only accessible to the childminder. 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

Since the last inspection the childminder has addressed the issues raised, therefore, improving the care and well-being of children. They are now able to independently access a good range of resources including those that reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity and disability.

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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 childminder has attended the required childminding training course and has conducted risk assessments on the premises and has taken appropriate action to minimise risks to children.

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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. Since 01 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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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): • implement a system to obtain parental signatures on records of existing injuries.

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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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