Hudson, Teresa

Inspection report for early years provision

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320054 Unique Reference Number 23 January 2008 Inspection date Thecla Grant 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 1996. She lives with her husband and their 15 year old son in the Beeston area of Leeds. The whole 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 four children at any one time, and is currently minding three children under five and one child over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family has a cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well taken care of if they are ill or have an accident because the childminder follows current and appropriate guidelines and procedures. For example, the childminder is trained in administering first aid and has appropriate permissions and records in place regarding the administration of medications to children.

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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 Children are protected from cross contamination because the childminder takes suitable steps to prevent the spread of infection by keeping her premises clean and wearing gloves whilst changing the children's nappies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide a packed lunch for their children and the childminder provides drinks. However, young children are not constantly reminded to take a drink during the morning, and mid-morning snacks are not available. Babies have bottles of milk during set times of the day and information on the children's dietary requirements are in place. However, permission has not been sought to offer babies a drink of cool boiled water in between their feeding time. As a result, children's energy levels significantly degreases before lunch.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities and rest and sleep according to their needs.

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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 indoor environment. Children freely access toys from the child size storage units. These are age appropriate, stimulating and provide sufficient challenge. As a result, there is good evidence of children's play. The childminder mostly makes sure her home is secure. She has a spy hole in the door to monitor access to her home and keeps the key to the front door away from children. However, during the inspection the childminder did not lock the front door.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder satisfactorily promotes safety in her home. For example, all low electric sockets are covered and no trailing flexes are seen. The childminder consistently supervises the children and makes sure the kitchen is safe for them to enter. Children are taught about fire safety from an early age through emergency evacuation practises. These are recorded. Appropriate fire equipment, such as fire blankets and smoke alarms are available and the emergency escape plan is available to parents. The register is in place and filled in with the times of arrival and departure of the children. However, on the day of inspection the register was not completed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happily involved in a suitable range of activities. They have a lot of resources to choose from and confidently choose what they want to play with. For example, children enjoy playing with the threading game and putting plastic posting letters into the shoulder bag. They like asking the childminder to read what the letter says then they post it. The children enjoy listening to stories and choose what book they want to listen to. The childminder encourages children to choose what they want to play with and extends their play as she sits with them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder constantly sits babies on her knee, because they like to know she is nearby. During this time she sings songs and talks to them. Occasionally she allows them to play independently, which they thoroughly enjoy. However, opportunities for them to access toys independently are not consistent.

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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 Children have a good relationship with the childminder they are comfortable and happy attending her service. The children also benefit from activities outside the home, such as visiting the library and toy library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder satisfactorily works with the parents. For example, the childminder has devised a profile for parents to see what their children take part in whilst in her care. She has information about her setting which she shares with the parents. The childminder has a 'care plan' regarding the likes and dislikes of the children in her care. Parents show their satisfaction regarding the service provided through letters of recommendation and thank you cards.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children have easy access to different cultural utensils and plastic foods which they happily include in their play. The childminder celebrates cultural festivals with the children and provides toys and resources reflecting race and disability. As a result, children benefit from activities and resources which help them to value diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are busy and contented because they have a good range of toys and equipment to choose from. As a result, they are not bored or frustrated and behave in a way that is appropriate to each child's age and stage of development. The childminder has experience of working with children with disabilities.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has attended some training for the continual improvement of her service. She keeps within the constraints of her registered numbers and makes sure enough space is available for the children to manoeuvre freely.

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Organisation

All policies and procedures are in place and work in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution.

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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 address an action and recommendations relating to safety, resources, and record keeping. The childminder now has a written emergency evacuation procedure and has fitted smoke alarms on all levels of her home. She has a free standing unit with resources so children have the opportunity to self select and written permission from parents for seeking emergency and medical advice or treatment has been requested. As a result, steps taken have improved outcomes for children and the organisation of 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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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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): • make sure drinks are regularly offered to young children including babies • make sure the premises are secure • provide more opportunities for children under one year to access toys independently.

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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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