Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344636 Unique Reference Number 17 April 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 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 was registered in 2006 and occasionally works with an assistant. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and one in Horsforth, a suburb of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding purposes and there is an 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding two children on a part-time basis. She takes and collects children from school and attends the local toddler group.

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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 good. The childminder promotes the children's good health by putting into practice clear hygiene procedures. For example, children wash their hands before eating and toys are regularly cleaned,

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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 especially those put in the children's mouths. The childminder takes steps to reduce the risk of cross-infection by providing the children with their own towels and flannels and wearing gloves when changing young children's nappies. A short written sickness policy advises parents when not to bring children who are ill to protect the health of others. Appropriate arrangements are in place to care for children who become ill or have an accident whilst in the childminder's care. The childminder has undertaken a paediatric first aid course and obtains permission from parents to seek emergency treatment, should it be required. Parental authorisation is given before administering any medicine but the medication register is not accurately completed, particularly with details of prior dosages given by parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Nutritious food using fresh ingredients effectively supports the children's health. They enjoy a varied, balanced diet which includes plenty of fruit and vegetables. Older children often help in the preparation of part of the meal when they return from school. Younger children's food is freshly puréed and they are encouraged to feed themselves, without being rushed, using appropriate cutlery. Children enjoy a relaxed mealtime where they sit around the table with the family and join in the social atmosphere. The childminder works well with parents to meet the children's individual needs and dietary requirements. Drinks are readily available for the children and younger children confidently access their own feeding beaker when they are thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Outdoor play in the garden on both paved and grassed areas plus regular visits to the local parks to feed the ducks, improves the children's physical development. They enjoy playing in the sandpit and on the swing in the garden on a sunny day after the childminder has put their sun cream on. Children rest and sleep according to their own routines after discussion with parents and the childminder recognises times when children require extra sleep or periods of quiet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are adequately cared for in a safe environment as the childminder ensures that appropriate safety precautions are in place. For instance, a safety gate is positioned at the bottom of the stairs to deny children access to the first floor and fireguards are in place around the fireplaces. Children are helped to understand the importance of keeping themselves safe and they are constantly reminded of the correct way to cross a road and always to keep the childminder in sight when in the park. However, although there is a fire evacuation procedure for the home, this has not been practised and children are unaware of what to do in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children move freely around the areas used for minding and independently access the resources. They are well supervised when sleeping and a curtained area is set aside for them. Satisfactory procedures keep children safe on outings and written parental permission is obtained for transporting children in a vehicle. A small first aid kit is taken on all outings plus parents' contact numbers and a mobile phone in case of an emergency. They play safely in the garden as it is securely fenced and care is taken when accessing the outdoor space through the patio doors. The satisfactory range of equipment used by the children is clean, well maintained and suitable for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a secure environment. Gates and outside doors are locked and the extra security of a bleeper alerts the childminder to anyone opening the outside doors. Children are suitably protected as the childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection

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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 procedures. Parents are advised of the childminder's duty to protect the welfare of the children, the systems in place for their safe collection 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, secure and have warm relationships with the childminder. They respond well to her praise and encouragement. Young children play happily alongside each other whilst being equally content and secure to play on their own. They engage in suitable activities and sustain interest for short periods. Children's play is valued and the childminder is interested in what they say and do, encouraging them to develop in self-esteem. Pictures they have created are displayed in the childminder's kitchen, giving them a good sense of belonging.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The good range of activities and resources provided by the childminder contributes well to the children's all-round development. Very clear profiles are kept on younger children and concise evaluative statements are displayed alongside photographs which show how they are developing. Children have frequent opportunities to participate in craft activities. Young children enjoy painting and play dough and older children's problem solving skills are encouraged through junk modelling. For instance, they work out how to make a guitar from cardboard boxes and rubber bands. The childminder uses everyday play to help young children learn about shapes and they enjoy using shape sorters. She responds well to their first words, encouraging their developing communication skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children learn to socialise in larger groups through regular attendance at local toddler groups. They benefit from well-planned routines and often visit local amenities, such as the park, shops and garden centre, where they watch the fish. Older children enjoy visits further afield to, for instance, local historical sites or the bowling alley during the school holidays.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are helped to value diversity through access to a suitable variety of resources which reflect different religions and cultures. However, the resources which support children's understanding of disability are limited. Children learn about their local community as they visit places of interest, such as a local mill, as well as routine outings to the local parks. All children are valued and respected as individuals. Their individual needs are suitably catered for after discussion with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures that children are fully occupied and not bored. As a result, the children play alongside each other successfully and they are well behaved and contented. Good behaviour is valued and, as a result, children are beginning to understand right from wrong. They are learning to share and are given age-appropriate explanations as to why certain behaviour is unacceptable.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works well with parents to ensure that children's home routines are appropriately catered for. She keeps parents informed of their child's activities and achievements both verbally and with a profile for younger children. Parents are offered a flexible settling-in period when information is exchanged about the child. A file containing brief policies, procedures and a selection of photographs showing children taking part in a variety of activities ensures parents are adequately informed of the service provided. Parents have good views on the care their children receive.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder makes appropriate use of the rooms she uses for minding to offer separate areas for active play, quiet times and sleeping. Young children are settled and familiar with their routines in the homely environment and older children are given time to do their homework after school. Outings are planned effectively into the daily routine and extended when the routine does not depend on school runs. Ratios are maintained well within the conditions of registration to offer extra support to younger children and the childminder's husband sometimes works as an assistant, particularly with the older children.

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Organisation

The childminding practice is satisfactorily supported by clear policies and procedures, including one for complaints. These are shared with parents, making them fully aware of the service the childminder provides. The childminder is mostly well organised and all records and registers required for the efficient and safe management of the provision are in place and generally accurately maintained. However, although the register of attendance clearly shows accurate arrival and departure times of each child, it is not effectively organised. Parents are informed of their child's day and their development both verbally and sometimes in writing. 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): • ensure medication records are accurately and fully completed • raise the children’s awareness of the procedure to be followed in the event of an emergency evacuation • ensure that children have an appropriate range of resources that promote the positive image of disability.

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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 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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