Lacey, Susan

Inspection report for early years provision

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319707 Unique Reference Number 06 August 2007 Inspection date Jane Elizabeth O'Callaghan 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 1990. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 20, and 13 years in Farsley, a suburb of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and 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 currently has eight children on roll. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group and takes children on visits to local amenities. The family have a rabbit and goldfish as pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children stay healthy through the childminder providing healthy and nutritious snacks. For example, children have raisins, fruit, carrot sticks and cheese. Children have access to drinks throughout the day, older children can help themselves to juice, milk or water whenever they need. The parents provide any meals and these are correctly reheated prior to the children having them and are also stored appropriately.

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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 The childminder has written policies and procedures in health and hygiene, which she shows to parents and she has also attended a hygiene course. She encourages all children to wash their hands with soap and they have their own towels, which are recognised by having their names written on. The childminder explains to the children the importance of washing hands after playing out and going to the toilet, how it stops you getting poorly.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a written sickness procedure if children become ill whilst in her care, they would be made comfortable and their parents contacted. This procedure along with the seclusion policy she has is shown and discussed with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a medication and accident policy, which are read by parents. She also has books to record the giving of medication and any accidents. However, not all forms are fully completed correctly. The childminder has attended a first aid course in 2005. She has a first aid box in the kitchen and one she takes with her on outings, both are checked regularly. The childminder also has a first aid sheet that she takes with her on outings.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a checklist for cleaning and checking toys and she records that this is done both daily and weekly. This provides children with clean and safe toys and equipment whilst in the care of the childminder. The children can rest or sleep in a travel cot or on the settee, she provides each child with their own blanket.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive physical play daily through going out for walks within the local community and in the outdoor area within the childminder's home. The children can play outside on a very good range of toys and activities that develop their physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has all the information on the 'Birth to three matters' framework and is in the process of accessing a relevant course. However, she feels that the experience of bringing up her own children and working closely with parents will help her. The childminder has a procedure she follows when changing children's nappies which involves washing her hands before and afterwards, wiping down the mat before and afterwards and disposing of the nappy appropriately. This ensures that children's needs and parents' wishes are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder uses all of the downstairs for children to play in, as well as an extremely safe rear outdoor area. She has a locked gate to the rear garden, which has a bell on it and instructions asking parents and callers to ring the bell and always ensure the gate is fully shut when leaving. The high level of security ensures children's safety whilst outside. There is considerable space for children to move around independently and with confidence, accessing toys and equipment. The childminder has use of both a landline and a mobile with all contact numbers in. She also has all the children's contact numbers written down, separate first aid forms and permission for the children when on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an excellent selection of equipment for all ages and stages of children's development. For example, children have use of feeding chairs, booster seats, individual car seats, safety gates, small chairs and buggies. The childminder checks all equipment and toys for cleanliness and safety daily. She also does daily risk assessments for both indoor and outdoor activities and she has a very stringent written policy. This ensures that children are cared for in a safe environment.

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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 The childminder has a meticulously written evacuation plan, which is displayed in the kitchen, it explains the emergency exits. The childminder regularly practises and records the fire drills and these are explained to younger children and parents the reasons and importance of these. The childminder has two smoke alarms, which are tested regularly and also has a fixed fire blanket situated in the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an excellent outdoor area, which the children can access through the kitchen and she always supervises them when playing outside. The garden is in two tiers and the higher one is for the older children and is well fenced off. The childminder has written permission from parents to take children on outings in both her car and to use public transport.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has expert knowledge, understanding and awareness of child protection procedures. She has a written policy and procedure which she shows to parents. The policy includes all the contact numbers and the correct procedures to follow if required. The childminder has attended training through various courses and is fully aware of the importance of keeping up to date with the procedures through regular training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

These ensure that all children in the care of the childminder are in a rigorous and consistently highly safe and secure environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder welcomes children in when they arrive. They come into the setting and get on with activities and are immediately occupied with using pastels to copy a model of cutlery. The children choose with the help of the childminder from a vast range of toys and activities what they wish to play. The children have an abundance of confidence and independence when choosing. For example, the children can play with garages, construction, books, dolls, dressing up clothes and jigsaws. The childminder also offers children a superb selection of creative activities. They take part in making a dragon for Chinese New Year, colouring with pastel crayons and they also do baking. The childminder organises resources and space to support play and these cover all areas and stages of individual children's development. For example, the childminder has planned and spontaneous activities going on, such as taking children swimming

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and having competitions when children are using construction toys.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a warm and caring environment for all children. She interacts with the children at their level, she knows their likes and dislikes and uses this as a basis to develop strong relationships. The childminder actively contributes to the children's physical development with an excellent range of outdoor toys and visits within the local community. For example, swing ball, sponge darts, bikes, bats, balls, football, hoola hoops, Koite throwing, scooters, tents, tunnels and a ball pool. The children can play outside with this extensive range whatever the weather conditions. She also takes children to local places of interest, such as parks, swimming and toddler groups regularly. This ensures that children's social skills are developed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder constantly talks to children throughout their stay, playing with them, helping them to decide what they want to play with or watch on the television. The children are encouraged to use their imagination through building with blocks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has intensive knowledge in the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She offers the children toys that are age appropriate, for example, she has treasure baskets, soft toys, baby gyms and wooden toys. She is in the process of accessing training in this area and has

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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 also done a lot of research ensuring that children's needs are met according to their age and stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good selection of resources, including a wide selection of books about different cultures. For example, books about Rastafarian, Chinese and European life and books depicting people with learning difficulties and disabilities. Children can also access dolls from different backgrounds and jigsaws relating to cultures and learning difficulties. The childminder ensures that children learn about different cultures through the celebrating of different festivals from other countries. For example, children celebrate Christmas and have made a dragon for Chinese New Year. The childminder has a list explaining different festivals that are celebrated throughout the year and she will celebrate a variety from this. This will develop children's knowledge and understanding of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a written policy on equal opportunities. This explains to parents that all children are treated equally regardless of age, gender, culture, disability and difficulty. When children start with the childminder, she asks parents to read and sign the policy and asks if the child has any requirements or anything she should know. This she feels, helps children to settle and meets the needs of parents and children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder at present does not care for any children with learning difficulties or disabilities, however, she would do so as long as she could meet the needs of all children and those of the parents. She is fully aware of working closely and confidentially with parents and other outside agencies. The childminder has a written policy explaining to parents how children with any learning difficulties and disabilities are cared for and parents are asked to read and sign the policy. She would always accommodate the parents' wishes and needs, and wherever possible ensures the children are integrated whilst in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder's behaviour policy explains how any concerns she may have are dealt with and she ensures that the parents agree with her behaviour procedures. She explains to the parents how she always talks to the children and explains why the behaviour is unacceptable. The childminder feels that as a good role model herself, this encourages children's positive behaviour. Children are aware of being polite, sharing and taking turns, this ensures that children are well behaved and are cared for in a happy environment.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has an informative parent pack, which contains all written policies and procedures, which are reviewed on a regular basis. The written policies are given to parents and include policies on lost and uncollected children, safety, hygiene, health, receiving emergency treatment and administration of medication. Having written policies for parents, ensures that their children are cared for in a safe and caring environment.

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Organisation

The childminder is aware of the importance of keeping up to date with training and is keen to access training on offer to her. She always makes sure that all her training and experience is implemented into the care that she provides to both the children and to their parents.

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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 Space is organised in the childminder's home in a way that allows children free choice and easy access to resources covering all areas of learning in a happy environment.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps all documentation up to date and in a confidential manner. For example, registration forms have all relevant information gathered and registers are completed showing daily times of arrival and departure of each child. She ensures that all visitors have their identification checked to ensure children are kept safe whilst in her care. The childminder displays her registration certificate and her first aid certificate for parents and visitors to see.

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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 asked to improve the system for recording incidents. The childminder has an incident book and is fully aware of recording any incidents and the importance of this. She also explains to parents about the incident book at their initial visit. This improvement ensures that children are cared for in a safe environment.

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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 all records are fully 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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