Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY226016 Unique Reference Number 05 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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and 12 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 six children at any one time. She is currently minding five children under five, on a part time basis and children over three before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a Level 3 childcare qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children have access to an excellent selection of outside toys, such as swings, slide, bikes of all sizes, kitchen, pots and pans, play food, a picnic bench and tunnel. As a result, the children enjoy playing outside and choose to play outside in all weathers. For example, the children are

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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 able to free flow in and out of the childminders home. The children also have regular opportunities to go out on a wide range of visits, for example, to the local children's centre, parent and toddler group, library, parks and museums.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is fully aware of individual dietary requirements and preferences which are discussed in full with parents. The children receive a good range of healthy snacks, such as bananas and apples. The children also have opportunities to grow foods, such as tomatoes and peppers. Children independently access drinks at all times as individual water bottles are placed where the children are able to reach these.

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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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Helping children to be healthy

The children's health is promoted as the childminder effectively implements good hygiene procedures. For example, the digging area in the garden is covered when it is not in use to prevent the soil from becoming contaminated. Also, the childminder uses anti-bacterial wipes to clean the table with, prior to the children eating. Young children are beginning to develop an understanding of why certain hygiene routines are in place. This is because the childminder explains to the children why they need to wash their hands after playing outside and before mealtimes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, the childminder has devised a child protection policy which she shares with parents and has child protection contact numbers available. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues as she has attended child protection training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are cared for in a spacious, clean and welcoming home. Space is used constructively and activities are well organised. The children have independent access to an excellent range of age appropriate toys, furniture and equipment to effectively meet their needs, such as mark making, cutting, water play and role play activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a home where all risks are identified and minimised, for example, safety gates and plug sockets are in place. As a result, the children are kept safe and free from harm. A fire escape plan is available and is practised regularly with the children to ensure that all children are familiar with the routine. 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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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children have good relationships with the childminder, they enjoy her company and are keen to communicate with her. This is because the childminder gives the children lots of positive time, attention, praise and encouragement.

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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 The childminder has a thorough understanding of how children develop and learn. She has completed 'Birth to three matters' and Foundation Stage training. The childminder records each child's development and monitors their progress, for example, through written observations and photographic evidence. However, these records do not identify children's individual next steps in learning. The childminder effectively plans an excellent and interesting range of activities for the children, such as fishing at the canal and participating in obstacle courses.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are happy and settled. They confidently assert their own preferences, for example, they choose what they would like to drink and what activities they like to play with. The children are fully involved in activities and can maintain attention and stick at tasks. For example, the children played with the kitchen and pots and pans for 30 minutes. The children enjoy coming to the childminders and have their own favourite activities, for example, young children enjoy painting and older children enjoy digging in the childminder's garden.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a friendly manner. The children enjoy the childminder's company and relate well to each other. They are well behaved, for example, young children are able to use good manners without being prompted to do so. The children are confident, independent and use their initiative. They have access to an excellent selection of resources which reflect positive images, such as posters, photographs, a dolls house, play figures, books and dolls. The children are beginning to learn about their own and other people’s cultures and beliefs as they regularly celebrate different celebrations, such as Diwali, Halloween and St Patrick's Day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder recognises the importance of working in partnership with parents to help identify and meet the children's needs. She discusses all aspects of practice with parents during initial meetings and also shares all her policies and procedures with them. A complaints procedure is in place and this includes the name, address and contact number of the regulator. The childminder enjoys communicating with others and as a result, parents are kept fully informed about their child through daily discussions.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is committed to improvement and regularly attends relevant training, for example, inclusion and disability training and a listening to young children course. The childminder implements policies and procedures that are individual to the setting, understood and have a positive impact on the children, such as a sick child policy and a complaints procedure. The childminder is fully aware of all the legal requirements. For example, she displays her registration certificate and public liability insurance. She also completes all the required documentation correctly, such as accident and medication records. 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 contacted data protection to seek advice regarding the use of a digital camera and computer to take and store photographs of children. The childminder has followed data protection advice and digital photos are correctly stored, maintaining confidentiality.

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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

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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): • use observations to identify children's individual next steps in learning.

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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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