Nicholls Tracey

Inspection report for early years provision

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320107 Unique Reference Number 25 September 2007 Inspection date Abigail Caroline Cunningham 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 1996. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and 11 in Beeston, 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 four children under five, on a part time basis, and two children over five before and after school. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler groups. The family has a dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children enjoy physical activity, such as playing outside in the childminder's garden, visiting the local park and soft play centres.

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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 is fully aware of individual dietary requirements and preferences which are discussed in full with parents. The children receive a satisfactory range of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks, such as beans on toast and fruit. The children sample foods associated with other countries to increase their knowledge of the wider world, such as chicken curry, noodle and pasta dishes. The children also have opportunities to bake buns.

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Helping children to be healthy

There is a fully stocked first aid kit available. The childminder's sick child policy is discussed in full with parents, prior to completing the childminding contract. Medication and accident records are completed correctly, for example, the childminder has written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection and is aware of her responsibilities towards the children in her care. The childminder has attended child protection training and knows what the different types of abuse are, the possible signs and symptoms and the reporting procedure. The childminder also has local child protection contact details and records children's existing injuries.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a home where risks are identified and minimised. This means they are able to move around safely. For example, the children can not access the first floor as the childminder has a safety gate in place at the bottom of the stairs. A fire escape plan is available and is practised with the children, however, fire drills are not recorded. Potential fire hazards are identified and made safe, for example, smoke alarms are fitted at all levels and are in working order and a fire blanket is sited in the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The environment is warm and welcoming. The children have access to a good range of age-appropriate toys, furniture and equipment to effectively meet their needs, such as paints, water, books and dressing up. Most of the toys are stored in a cupboard on the ground floor. The childminder changes the selection of toys available depending upon the children that are attending. All toys and equipment are maintained in satisfactory condition and are checked before and after play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder knows the children and their families well. She is fully aware of each child's personal circumstances and individual needs. The children are cared for in an organised environment, where there are consistent daily routines for eating, resting, playing and going out, which helps the children feel secure and enjoy their day. As a result, the children are happy, settled and independent. They confidently assert their own needs and preferences, for example, they choose when they would like a drink and what activities they like to play with. The children are involved in a good range of interesting and enjoyable activities both inside and outside the home, such as visiting the local library. The children are fully involved in activities, for example, the children enjoy playing with the dressing up clothes and the car and train track.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a friendly and positive manner and the children enjoy the childminder's company. The childminder manages children’s behaviour positively and consistently and according to the child’s level of understanding and maturity, for example, she consistently gives the children praise and encouragement to encourage good behaviour. As a result, the children are well behaved, for example, they use good manners and enjoy helping the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children have access to a good selection of resources, such as books, dolls, play figures, jigsaws and dressing up. This helps the children learn about and value each other’s similarities and differences. The children have good opportunities to learn about their local and wider community. This is because the childminder takes the children out daily, for example, to the local shops and to various parent and toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The parents have strong partnerships and trusting relationships with the childminder. They are listened to and well informed about the provision and their children’s progress. The childminder also encourages parents to share information and to visit prior to starting so that parents, children and the childminder can get to know each other.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is organised and has a flexible approach to childminding, for example, all activities within the childminder's home are child-led. She makes good use of her time, space and resources to create an orderly environment for the children. Due to mitigating circumstances, the childminder has not renewed her first aid certificate, which means qualification requirements have not been met. However, the childminder is booked onto a suitable course.

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Organisation

All policies and procedures are individual to the setting, comprehensive and fully support the childminder's practice, such as a complaint policy. Parents are kept well informed about the service offered to their child, promoting their welfare and activities through the correct completion of registers, accident forms and medication forms. All information is kept in a confidential manner and is shared with parents regularly. For example, the parents have access to their child's development record, which contains observations and photographs of their child's development. The childminder is fully aware of all the legal requirements. She displays her registration certificate and holds public liability insurance. 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

Since the last inspection the childminder has provided a safer environment for children as she now keeps her front door locked at all times. Therefore, the premises are secure and children are unable to leave them unsupervised. Partnership with parents has been strengthened as the childminder now records any significant events or issues and shares these with parents.

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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. 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): • provide evidence that fire drills have taken place • ensure a current first aid certificate is maintained.

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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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