Calvert, Karen

Inspection report for early years provision

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320345 Unique Reference Number 17 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 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and ten in Chapel Allerton, 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 two children under five on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children enjoy physical activity, such as playing outside in the childminder's garden and dancing to music. The children also have daily opportunities to go out to a local park after school.

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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 childminder treats mealtimes as an opportunity to help children enjoy their food and become independent in feeding themselves. The children receive a satisfactory range of healthy and nutritious light meals and snacks, such as assorted sandwiches, fruit and yogurts. Occasional treats are offered to the children when celebrating the children's birthdays and the children also have opportunities to bake buns.

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Helping children to be healthy

Good arrangements are in place for first aid and administering medication, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and there is a fully stocked first aid kit available. Written policies are in place regarding sickness, accidents and administration of medicines; these are fully implemented and shared with all parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of child protection and is aware of her responsibilities towards the children in her care. She shares her child protection policy with parents during initial visits. 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. However, the childminder does not record children's existing injuries.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The environment is warm and welcoming with good evidence of children’s play and activity. The children have independent access to a good range of age-appropriate toys, furniture and equipment to effectively meet their needs, such as mark making, painting, arts and crafts, sand, books, dolls and dressing up. Most of the childminder's toys are made from materials, such as plastic. As a result, the children have limited access to resources which are made from natural materials. All toys and equipment are maintained in a good condition and are checked before and after play. Additionally, each child has their own individual basket to store their belongings in.

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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, freely and independently. The children are kept safe and free from harm, this is because the childminder has a good awareness of all risks to children’s health and safety, for example, the children are supervised at all times and dangerous substances are inaccessible to the children. The children are unable to access the fires as these are both fitted with guards. A fire escape plan is available and is regularly practised with the children. A written record is also kept, to evidence that fire drills have taken place. 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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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children have good relationships with the childminder and they enjoy her company. This is because the childminder gives the children lots of positive time, attention, praise and encouragement. As a result, the children have warm relationships with the childminder and are keen to communicate with her, for example, while playing with the farm animals.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans a good range of activities for the children. These are based on the children's individual needs and interests, such as box craft, painting, dressing up, baking and playing with the musical instruments. The children express themselves through physical action

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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 and sound. This is because the childminder provides opportunities for creative physical experience, such as music and movement. Also, children of all ages have good opportunities to be involved in messy play, for example, they regularly enjoy playing with the sand, water and dough. The children are fully involved in activities, such as mark making.

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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, encouragement and stickers to encourage good behaviour. As a result, the children are well behaved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children have access to a good selection of resources, such as books, dolls 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 school 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 childminder can get to know each other.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. 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. As a result, the children are happy and settled.

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Organisation

All policies and procedures are individual to the setting, comprehensive and fully support the childminder's practice. 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.

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Organisation

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.

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Organisation

The childminder is fully aware of all the legal requirements. For example, she displays her registration certificate and holds public liability insurance. She also completes all the required documentation correctly, such as the medication and accident record book. 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 improved safety. This ivy has been removed from the childminders garden. As a result, dangerous plants are now inaccessible to the children. An

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Improvements 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 accurate and up to date record of children's attendance is now kept, which has improved documentation.

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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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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): • implement a system to record children's existing injuries • provide resources that are made from natural materials.

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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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