Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY339685 Unique Reference Number 13 February 2007 Inspection date Paula Fretwell 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 satisfactory. 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 has been registered since 2006. She lives with her family in a house in East Ardsley, close to the city of Leeds, and she works alongside another registered childminder at her home.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor and an upstairs bedroom are used for childminding purposes and there is a garden to the side and rear of the house that is suitable for outdoor play. There are two children on roll who attend on a variable basis.

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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 satisfactory. Children play in a clean, well-maintained environment which is suitable for their needs. Hygienic procedures are implemented to prevent the risk of cross-infection, such as the childminder wearing disposable gloves for nappy changing and children using paper towels after hand-washing. Sick children are not accepted in order to protect the health of others and the childminder has a clear written policy about illness, which is explained to parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a varied range of snacks and meals whilst in the childminder's care. Very young children's dietary needs are met through close liaison with parents and the childminder ensures that any baby food brought by parents is stored safely. All children have regular access to drinks throughout the day, which ensures they are not thirsty. Children enjoy sitting together to share snacks and meals and the childminder enables them to eat at their own pace, providing a relaxed atmosphere for them to eat their meals. Sample menus are available to parents to illustrate the types of food provided for their child.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular fresh air and they have access to the childminder's garden, local parks and soft play centres to enjoy physical exercise in safe surroundings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The environment is safe for children to play in and the childminder takes many positive steps to ensure children's safety and security. Doors are locked with keys accessible and the childminder ensures that children are only collected by those authorised to do so. Safety measures, such as gates, socket covers and a fixed fireguard are in place to enable young children to freely explore the environment. Children confidently select their own toys and resources from accessible storage in the playroom and the childminder closely supervises them to ensure they play safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Clear plans are in place to evacuate in the event of a fire or emergency, although fire drills are not practised with the children to encourage their awareness of safety. The childminder constantly reminds children about everyday safety, such as no climbing on the furniture, and she gives simple explanations to help children understand. The childminder is aware to assess any possible hazards within her own home, such as internal glass door-panels, and she ensures children play within her direct supervision.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded through the childminder's awareness of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and she has a clear understanding of what to do in the event of a child protection concern or allegation.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy in the childminder's care and they are confident to make their needs known. The childminder is calm and patient with the children and they respond well to her. Children enjoy a suitable range of activities, such as creative play, visits to local groups and free choice of activities when indoors.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is aware of children's individual needs and she manages mixed ages of children well to ensure they are all suitably occupied. Very young children enjoy looking at picture books and doing simple puzzles and the childminder joins in with their play to enhance their development and language. Children enjoy playing catch with different-coloured balloons and the childminder encourages them to play co-operatively together in a group.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about their own and the wider world through regular access to a wide variety of toys and resources which reflect our diverse society. The childminder ensures all children are able to access all activities fairly and she works closely with parents to ensure their individual needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well in the setting and they understand simple house rules for fairness in their play and interaction with others. The childminder is positive in her tone of voice and she gives plenty of praise and encouragement to develop children's self-esteem. Children's unwanted behaviour is managed according to their level of understanding and successful strategies, such as distraction, are implemented with very young children. Older children are encouraged to say 'sorry' if they have hurt their friend and the childminder encourages children to share and play well together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Supportive relationships with parents ensures children's individual needs are met. The childminder communicates with parents on a daily basis to exchange information about their child and she involves them in their child's time at the setting through providing photographs, samples of their artwork and general observations.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the welcoming, well-organised environment in which they can freely explore and engage in activities of their own choice. Children help themselves to a suitable range of toys and equipment, stored to promote their independence and free selection. The childminder works closely alongside another registered childminder at this address and they work well as a team to provide care for the children.

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Organisation

The childminder is aware of the requirement to undertake first aid training, although this has not yet been completed. All required documentation is in place and securely stored and there

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 is a clear set of policies and procedures available which illustrates how the setting is organised. Parents are assured of confidentiality at all times.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • develop children's awareness of fire safety through practising fire drills • ensure planned first aid training is completed.

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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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