Cowling, Angela

Inspection report for early years provision

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512025 Unique Reference Number 28 August 2007 Inspection date Elaine Marie McDonnell 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 has been registered since August 2001. She lives in the Farsley area of Leeds with her husband, her twin daughters who are aged five years, and her adult step-daughter. The childminder's mum is registered as an assistant. The family home is close to local primary schools, shops and transport services.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There is a designated play area attached to the kitchen and the whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding purposes. There are also enclosed gardens available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for up to four children under eight years at any one time. There are currently seven children on roll aged from one year to 10 years; all are cared for on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows good hygiene procedures to ensure that the home and equipment are kept clean. Children understand the importance of simple, good hygiene practices, such as hand washing, as this is promoted regularly throughout the daily routine. The childminder has good written information available to promote children's overall health, for example 'infection control in schools and other childcare settings', which includes exclusion periods. Accident and medication records are available and are well completed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. The childminder provides a range of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks and lunchtime is observed to be a relaxed and sociable occasion. The childminder finds out about children's individual dietary requirements or family preferences from parents and these are recorded and used as a basis for individual care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to enjoy physical activity, for example, when playing in the garden with a good range of resources and when on various outings. They rest and sleep according to their needs and individual routines, which the childminder is aware of.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Good steps are taken to ensure that children are cared for in a safe environment. For example, the premises are kept secure and appropriate safety equipment, such as stair gates and a fireguard, is in place. Good steps are taken to ensure that children are kept safe when playing outdoors and when on outings. For example, the gardens are kept secure, swinging equipment is fixed into the ground and appropriate car safety seats are available. Children learn to keep themselves safe when involved in fire drills, which are recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The environment is very warm and welcoming for the children with a good range of toys and play materials readily available for them in the play area. Examples of children's artwork and photographs are attractively displayed, which helps to promote children's self-esteem. They have easy access to toys and the childminder ensures these remain safe and suitable for use with regular checking and cleaning routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected, the childminder understands her role in relation to child protection issues and is able to put local procedures into practice when necessary. She demonstrates a good understanding of the different areas of abuse and has useful, written information readily available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are involved in a good range of activities that cover all areas of development. For example, they learn about numbers and shapes, listen to music and dance, enjoy listening to stories and participate in ball games in the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop confidence and self-esteem well when being praised and encouraged by the childminder for their efforts, for example, when eating lunch and saying new words. They show

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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 interest in what they do and enjoy the activities and resources available. Children have opportunities to be independent and use their initiative, such as when deciding what to play with.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have opportunities to learn about wider society and begin to appreciate their own culture and the cultural traditions of others. They have access to resources and activities which promote their knowledge and understanding of wider society and of people with different abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Equal opportunities are well promoted as all children are included and involved; their individual needs are being met. There are currently no children with any learning difficulties, disabilities or who speak English as an additional language attending the setting, however, the childminder has a very positive towards caring for children with additional needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy being with the childminder and enjoy the activities available, they are settled and happy and make very positive relationships with adults and peers. They are well behaved and the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to promote a positive and friendly environment for children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works very well in partnership with parents and carers. Parents are kept informed of their child’s development and progress through regular discussions. Parents of younger children also receive daily written details about their child's day and progress. Contract agreements with parents are in place plus some appropriate consent forms. However, the childminder has not yet requested written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. A comprehensive written complaints procedure is in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder ensures that adults caring for children are suitable to do so as all adults in the household have been appropriately vetted. She has renewed her first aid qualification since the last inspection and additional training in relation to the new Early Years Foundation Stage is planned.

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Organisation

Attendance records and observation show that adult to child ratios are effectively maintained. Most documents and records required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available; records are well kept and up to date. The childminder has high regard for the well-being of all children and they receive very good adult support and attention. 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

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to provide resources which reflect positive images of disability. Various resources are now available, such as books and posters, and children are involved in activities which promote their knowledge and understanding of wider society including people with different abilities.

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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.

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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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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): • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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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