Edwards, Claire

Inspection report for early years provision

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319913 Unique Reference Number 15 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 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 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged 16 and 11 years old in Bramley a suburb of Leeds. The whole ground floor and upstairs bathroom of the childminder's house are used for childminding purposes. 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. She currently has four children on roll on a part-time basis. The childminder takes and collects from local schools and attends parents and toddler groups. The family have a kitten and two ferrets as pets.

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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 good. The children learn good routines of personal hygiene and practise these independently. The children use wet wipes after toileting and before eating, which are easily disposable and this prevents cross-infection. The children develop good knowledge and understanding of healthy practices and the reasons behind them through discussions with the childminder. They have many opportunities to develop physical control through using local parks and bicycles, trampolines, a seesaw, tents and balls in the enclosed garden. The childminder also takes children to local places of interest.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has two ferrets, who are cared for mainly in the childminder's son's bedroom, and a kitten. Most pet food and other pet needs are out of reach of children; however, some could cause a health and hygiene concern to children. The younger children are supervised by the childminder when taking an interest in the pets. For example, the ferrets have a outdoor run and children are told not to put their fingers in to touch them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are met and they begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet through activities and are offered healthy snacks and some meals, including fruit, fresh vegetables and meat. Children can independently access drinks and are regularly encouraged to take drinks by the childminder, especially during exercise.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has all the information for 'Birth to three matters' training and has already booked on the Early Years Foundation Stage training in September. This will develop the childminder's knowledge and understanding in the caring of children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. Children can access toys independently and confidently. All toys, activities and equipment are adequately maintained. There are satisfactory arrangements for sleeping children and their individual sleep patterns are adhered to.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in an environment which has most safety features, including the practising and testing of the fire evacuation procedure, as well as smoke alarms. However, the childminder does not have a fire blanket in place to ensure children are cared for in a safe environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a limited understanding and knowledge of the Local Safeguarding Children Board's procedure. She does have some contact numbers and a verbal procedure that she informs parents of.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have good opportunities to become independent and are confident in their environment. They freely access drinks and are encouraged to access toys freely and independently. They are happy and settled and build warm relationships with other children and play well together. There is a good range of activities, which children are fully involved in and enjoy. For example,

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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 jigsaws, role play, arts, crafts, visits to other childminders in the area and to the park. The childminder has a good selection of outside play equipment and also encourages the children to use their imagination both indoors and outdoors. For example, children play on the bicycles, trampolines (large and small) and the seesaw, and with cars, tents, playhouse, balls, large jigsaws and outdoor chalks. This ensures children learn to take turns and develop their physical skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has photographs of children on outings to places of interest and playing in the outdoor garden. Children are keen to communicate with each other and adults too. The childminder is very interested in the children and questions them well to encourage them to think and also develop their social skills. For example, children played harmoniously together with the musical computer that the children chose independently and used confidently.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children's individual needs are effectively met and registration forms and talks ensure the childminder has information necessary to care for the children. Children are valued as individuals and are treated fairly and equally, regardless of gender, culture and ability. Children learn about the wider world through the resources available. For example, children can access dolls, jigsaws and books which depict different areas of equal opportunities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder would care for children with learning difficulties and disabilities, if she could meet the needs of all children. She is aware of the importance of working closely with both parents and outside agencies in a confidential manner.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and benefit from clear and consistent boundaries set by the childminder. They receive lots of praise and begin to understand right from wrong through good explanations as to why behaviour is not appropriate. Parents are kept informed of their child's development and activity through daily verbal feedback. The childminder has a complaint procedure, which parents are made aware of at the start of their children being cared for. This ensures that parents' and children's needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder uses well-organised rooms and resources, enabling the children to feel secure and confident. They benefit from training accessed by the childminder, which is put into practice, including first aid. Children are kept safe and healthy through the implementation of verbal procedures. Most required documentation is in place and available for parents and inspections. However, the childminder's certificate of registration is not accessible to parents. The childminder keeps all her documentation in a confidential manner in a file out of reach and ensures it is available for inspections.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures that the premises are secure against visitors through all doors being locked, having keys to hand in case of emergency and always checking visitors' identification. This makes the environment safe for children to be cared in.

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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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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to increase resources which reflect positive images of race, gender and disability. The childminder has increased resources and this in ongoing. For example, books, dolls, jigsaws and DVDs. This will ensure the children continue to learn about the wider world.

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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 complaint 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 all pet requirements are out of reach of children • ensure the fire blanket is made accessible • ensure the registration certificate is displayed.

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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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