Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY348634 Unique Reference Number 02 July 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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and six years in Oakwood, Leeds. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding.

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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 one child under five years all day, and one child over five years before and after school. The childminder walks to a local school to take and collect children. 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 a wide range of activities that promote their good health. Regular visits to the park and walking to and from school and toddler group help to develop their coordination and physical skills.

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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 have access to drinks at all times. The childminder has obtained information regarding children's dietary needs and works in partnership with parents to meet children's individual needs. Some of the snacks and meals that are offered to the children are healthy and nutritious, such as pasta Bolognese and fruit. However, the childminder regularly offers the children convenience foods that are highly processed and that are high in saturated fat and salt and, as a result, are unhealthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Adequate arrangements are in place for first aid and administering medication, such as there is a fully stocked first aid kit available. There are satisfactory hygiene practices in place; for example, the childminder encourages the children to wash their hands before meals and after toileting. Additionally, the changing mat is cleaned after each use. However, the childminder does not have written permission 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 satisfactory knowledge of child protection and is aware of her responsibilities towards the children in her care. She has devised a child protection policy, which she shares with parents during initial visits. The childminder has not yet attended any child protection training. However, she does know 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 did not know that she should record any existing injuries that a child sustains while they are not in her care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children have access to an adequate range of age-appropriate toys, furniture and equipment to effectively meet their needs. All toys and equipment are maintained in satisfactory condition and are checked before and after play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a home where most risks are identified and minimised; however, the low-level glass doors have not been made safe. The children are kept within sight or hearing at all times and dangerous substances are out of the reach of children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Fire safety is satisfactory. A fire escape plan is available and is regularly practised with the children. 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 satisfactory. All the children are happy and settled. The childminder recognises the children as individuals and meets their differing needs well. For example, she has a flexible approach to meeting children's needs and implements individual routines for resting and nappy changing. The childminder consistently talk to young children, explaining what they are doing, which encourages children the children to label and link words with actions. For example, the children enjoy being asked to point to their different facial features.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities are well organised and the children are involved in a satisfactory range of activities, both inside and outside the home, which promote their all-round development. For example, visiting the local toddler group and feeding the ducks at the park.

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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 children are settled and have positive relationships with the childminder; for example, they enjoy spending a great deal of time sitting and looking at books with the childminder. The children engage in activities and sustain interest in them for periods of time, such as mark-making, playing with the cars, baking and singing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a calm and friendly manner and the children enjoy the childminder's company. The children are generally well behaved and are beginning to relate well to each other. For example, with the childminder's support they are learning how to share with one another. The children also enjoy helping the childminder, for example, with the nappy changing routine. 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 plenty of positive attention.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children have access to a satisfactory selection of resources which help children learn about and value each other's similarities and differences, for example, books, dolls and dressing up clothes. The childminder is multilingual and can speak many different languages, such as English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.

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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. The childminder discusses all aspects of practice with parents during initial meetings. The children are cared for as agreed with the parents and information is shared daily on a verbal, informal basis. Further information is available through the childminder's policy file, which is easily accessible to parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. All of the required documentation is in place and is confidentially stored. The childminder is aware of all the legal requirements; for example, she displays her public liability insurance and registration certificate. The childminder is aware of what needs to be improved and is committed to developing her practice; for example, she is due to attend a suitable first aid course and a local authority approved childminder's pre-registration course.

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Organisation

The children enjoy the familiar routines, such as visiting the local toddler group twice a week. The childminder is generally well organised and makes satisfactory use of her time, space and resources to create an orderly environment for the children. As a result, the children are happy and settled. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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

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 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 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 the low-level glass safe or inaccessible • record any existing injuries that a child has sustained while they are not in your care • request permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • reduce the amount of processed foods that are given to the children.

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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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