Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY277129 Unique Reference Number 30 April 2007 Inspection date Lindsay Helen Dobson 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 has been registered since January 2004. She is registered to care for four children under eight years and currently cares for six part-time children. She lives with her husband and three children aged 12 years, eight years and four years. They live in a house, in the Moortown area of Leeds and are within walking distance of local schools, toddler groups, shops, parks and bus stops. The ground floor, consisting of a lounge, dining room, kitchen and toilet, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to a local toddler group on a regular basis. She is a qualified nursery nurse and a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health and well-being are promoted as they are looked after in a clean and comfortable environment. Children are well protected from the spread of infection through

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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 good hygiene procedures. For example, younger children's hands are wiped with individual wipes following mealtimes and older children wash their hands independently after going to the toilet and before eating. Children are learning about the importance of good personal hygiene routines as they are encouraged to wipe their own nose with a tissue and are asked to cover their mouth when they sneeze.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy many opportunities to develop their physical skills. For example, daily walks to the local school and regular visits to the local parks ensures that children enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise. There is a good range of play equipment to support both younger children's physical needs and challenge the skills of older children. For example, children say they like using the climbing frame and the slide, where they can climb up, then go over and slide down.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides the food for the children, most of which is home-made using fresh ingredients. Nutritious and balanced meals are offered to the children, for example, home-made casseroles, carrots and broccoli or sandwiches and fruit. Children are beginning to learn about healthy eating through discussions about the origins of foods. For example, children know where milk comes from and where fruit and vegetables grow. Children's dietary needs and allergies are taken into account because the childminder has a clear awareness of their individual needs through written records and ongoing discussions with parents. The childminder keeps a record of the meals that she serves to the children to ensure that she offers them a broad and balanced diet. Children are able to help themselves to their own drinking cups as they require. This ensures that the children remain well hydrated throughout the day.

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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 spacious environment which is safe and well-maintained. They enjoy playing with safe toys and equipment that are checked regularly to ensure their continued suitability. Toys and activities are well-organised to enable children to learn to be independent and make choices within their play. Children's safety is effectively promoted through good procedures, such as fitted safety equipment, a secure environment and a good level of supervision. Appropriate detection and prevention measures are in place in case of fire, and emergency evacuation procedures are practised with the children which helps them to learn how to keep themselves safe. Children are encouraged to learn about safety on outings as they discuss safe places to cross roads and learn to walk whilst holding on to the pushchair, near roads.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected and their welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. She has the appropriate information leaflets which ensure that she has a secure understanding of referral procedures should she have concerns about a child in her care. The childminder's child protection policy reflects the local child protection guidelines which means that parents are fully informed of the childminder's responsibilities towards safeguarding children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children settle, are comfortable and become happy in the setting because the childminder meets and greets them when they arrive, sets up the room attractively to encourage them to engage with activities and offers comfort and cuddles to children when they indicate they need this. The childminder encourages the children to join in activities, talks to them, listens to their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 requests and supports them effectively to achieve their aims. The children are beginning to form strong relationships with other children, the childminder and her own children. They enjoy each other’s company, participating in activities together and welcoming the childminder’s intervention into their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop confidence and self-esteem through constant praise, attention and encouragement given by the childminder. She provides stimulating, exciting and enjoyable activities, which all the children can participate in and achieve. They particularly enjoy painting, sticking, drawing, building and completing puzzles. One child enjoys a painting activity in which he is fully involved deciding on colours and helping to pour the paint, creating his own art work and receiving positive praise for his creations. They participate in planned activities, which they engage at for extended periods, with enthusiasm and enjoyment. They enjoy the variety of stimulating, interesting and age-appropriate toys and equipment available and self-select confidently. The childminder supports their development well and moves their learning forward through effective questioning, being attentive to their needs and interests. She has a

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

comprehensive understanding of child development and the 'Birth to three matters' framework, incorporating these skills into her practice effectively to support children’s overall learning and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They are cared for according to parents' wishes as the childminder takes account of information supplied by them. Parents receive an information pack which includes details of policies and procedures. They complete detailed contracts so that both the childminder's expectations and those of parents are clear. Parents learn about their child's care and activities through daily verbal and written communication with the childminder. This ensures that children's changing needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning about the wider world through resources that reflect cultural diversity and disability, such as multi-cultural books, dolls and dressing up clothes. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of different customs and cultures as they celebrate festivals. For example, children try traditional foods, such as noodles and rice using chop sticks, to celebrate Chinese New Year and make tree decorations at Christmas time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has not cared for children with learning difficulties or disabilities but has attended training and displays a positive attitude to working with outside agencies and parents to ensure that she meets all children's individual needs. Children learn to play together, to share and take turns. Older children are asked to consider the feelings of younger children as they share resources. The childminder supports children's good behaviour through praise and encouragement. This helps to develop their self-esteem and confidence.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel very much at home and at ease in the childminder's care. She organises her days well to give all children a good range of experiences, including opportunities to play at her home, have restful times and enjoy local walks and outings. She makes good use of the available space, both inside and outside of her home, to provide a supportive environment and this enables children to move about freely and independently and develop their confidence to initiate their own play and learning.

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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 Detailed written policies and procedures ensure the service operates smoothly and efficiently and these are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. However, the system for recording complaints is not sufficiently robust and emergency consents are not in place for all children. The childminder is committed to attending training to further improve her knowledge and enhance her current good practice and has recently completed the 'Birth to three matters' framework, which she implements in her daily provision. All legally required documentation is in place, such as attendance, medication and accident records. Each child has an individual folder, which means all their personal documentation is maintained in a confidential manner.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to share written documentation about her provision with the parents. The childminder has implemented very good procedures, which ensure parents are given detailed information about the day to day care of their children, the National Standards, children's development and achievements and any changes to the provision. This close working partnership and sharing of information ensures that children's individual needs are well met and parents have confidence in the provision.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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 documentation contains sufficient detail and is up to date, with particular regard to parental consents and complaints recording.

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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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