Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY277692 Unique Reference Number 20 November 2007 Inspection date Margot D'Arcy 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 first registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and nine years. The family has a pet dog and they live in a three bedroom semi-detached house in the Chapel Allerton area of Leeds. This is close to amenities such as shops, a park, a library and local transport links. The living room, dining room and a small downstairs playroom are used for childminding. There is also an enclosed garden available for outside play, and a downstairs toilet with washbasin. Children are not able to access the kitchen unsupervised. The upstairs part of the house is not used. The childminder is registered for five children. She is currently caring for nine children who attend at various times on a full and part time basis. The childminder offers school collections as part of her childminding service. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has attended a number of courses to enhance her understanding of how to promote children’s health and well-being. These include courses on first-aid, hygiene and

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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 healthy eating. Healthy meals, snacks and drinks are provided. The childminder has also involved the children in devising weekly menus, thereby improving their awareness of how to eat healthily. At mealtimes, the children sit together at the table enjoying their food and socialising with each other and the childminder. Children’s physical development is promoted well, for instance in using the outdoor trampoline and baby-bouncers. Babies have a quiet place to sleep when they need it and are given cuddles and stimulation.

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Helping children to be healthy

The procedures for administering medicines and recording accidents are rigorous. The premises are clean and well maintained. Hygienic practices, such as the use of anti-bacterial cleaners and wipes, and hygienic nappy changing procedures are observed. Children are helped to understand the need for personal hygiene, such as washing their hands before meals and after going to the toilet. The family pet is healthy and friendly. Children enjoy his company, which is supervised by the childminder. Children do not have access to the pet’s food and there is strict observance of the need to ensure the garden is free from pet fouling.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. A clear emergency evacuation plan is displayed and safety devises, such as fire alarms, safety gates and electric socket covers, are used to protect the children. There are good procedures for keeping children safe on outings. Parents give written permission for the transportation of children and age appropriate car seats are used. A well-maintained fence secures the garden so that children may play safely outside. Care is taken to ensure that plants are non-poisonous.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to well-maintained furniture, equipment and age appropriate toys and resources, which meet their varying needs and do not compromise their safety. Children’s welfare is promoted the childminder has attended courses on child protection and has a good understanding of what to do in the event she suspects abuse or neglect. The procedures for registering children’s attendance, the collection of children and emergency contacts are rigorous.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children enjoy their time with the childminder. They are confident, relaxed and happy because they know that they are cared for and valued. The provision for babies draws well on the 'Birth to three matters' guidelines, for which the childminder has attended training. They readily smile and gurgle as they are being fed, changed, cuddled and played with. Toys and other equipment are appropriate to their age and promote their all-round development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A good range of games and creative materials ensure that older, pre-school, children, enjoy a variety of learning experiences and develop independence through making some choices about what they do. For instance, skills in creativity, physical development and language were promoted well during a collage activity where children chose, cut and placed different media to make a ‘picture’, and the childminder promoted discussion about this. Similarly, children’s understanding of the concepts of time and change was promoted through discussion photographs of the children when they were babies. Whilst a range of books is provided, this is not extensive. Moreover, books are not attractively displayed or as accessible to children as other resources. Photographs of the children at play and of their work are displayed on walls and in individual folders. This helps to raise children’s self-esteem and they enjoy talking about them.

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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. Children’s individual needs are recognised and respected. This good level of care is supported by the childminder’s effective record keeping that takes note of parental information about children’s individual likes and dislikes, for example, about food, drinks, toys and activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a clear behaviour policy setting out her expectations and practices. These are communicated well to parents and help the children to understand social expectations, such as good manners and the need to share. The children have opportunities to socialise with each other, and this is extended on outings, for example, to the childminder group where they meet and play with a greater range of children their age.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The range of books, although not extensive, provides the children with some information about people’s differences, for example, cultural diversity. A good partnership exists with children’s parents, many of who have sent cards and letters showing their appreciation of how well their children are cared for.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a good understanding of the required outcomes for children and organises her practice to achieve these. This includes very good commitment to enhancing the provision and her own professional development through significant training. Appropriate records are maintained to ensure individual children’s needs are met and to support the organisation of routines, such as babies’ sleep times and school runs. The accommodation is effectively organised to ensure that the children are appropriately supervised and can play and rest safely. All of the legally required documentation is in place. The childminder’s registration certificate is displayed on the wall along with other important information for parents; there is also a comprehensive file of information for parents.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to take action to devise and practise an emergency escape plan; ensure poisonous plants were inaccessible to the children and to make sure that the premises were secure so that children could not leave them unsupervised. The inspection also recommended that the childminder made sure the children were not able to access food left for the dog and that children’s records were accurate and up to date. Good improvement has occurred and all of these points have been effectively addressed to ensure that children are cared for in a safe environment.

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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 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): • extend the range of books provided and ensure that these are attractively displayed and accessible 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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