Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY268600 Unique Reference Number 29 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 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 has been registered since April 2004. She lives with her husband and adult son in the Bramley area of Leeds. Primary schools, shops and a play park are within walking distance of the home. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed rear garden and a paved area to the side of the house, available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is now registered to care for up to six children under eight years at any one time and there are currently two children on roll, aged 18 months and eight years. The family has a cat, which minded children have supervised access to. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows appropriate hygiene procedures to ensure that the home and equipment are kept adequately clean. Children are beginning to understand

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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 about simple, good hygiene practices, such as hand washing, as this is promoted throughout the daily routine. Appropriate written agreements are in place to protect children’s overall health, for example, parents are made aware of exclusion periods for certain childhood illnesses. Accident and medication record forms are available.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are appropriately nourished. The childminder provides a varied range of meals and snacks for children and ensures that drinks are readily available. She finds out about children's individual dietary requirements or family preferences from parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have appropriate opportunities to enjoy physical activity. For example, they visit a local park and play in the garden with a range of physical play equipment. When indoors they participate in physical games, such as dancing and also rest and sleep according to their needs and individual routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that children are cared for in a safe environment. For example, safety items are in place, such as a first aid box, fire blanket and smoke alarms. Children learn to keep themselves safe when involved in fire drills. Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that children are kept safe when playing outdoors and when on outings. For example, the outdoor play areas are kept secure and car safety seats are available when the car is used.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The environment is warm and welcoming for the children with a varied range of activities available in the lounge. They have easy access to toys and resources and the childminder ensures these remain safe and suitable for use with checking routines. She also ensures that toys and activities are age appropriate for the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are appropriately protected, the childminder understands her role in relation to child protection issues and is able to put local procedures into practice when necessary. However, she is currently unaware of the government booklet regarding child protection.

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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, physical play in the garden, social play at different groups and a wide range of different craft activities. Younger children have access to various musical toys, puzzles and shape sorters, whilst older children participate in spelling, counting and other learning activities, as well as completing any homework from school.

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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. They show an interest in what they do and enjoy the activities and resources available. Younger children are acquiring new skills and knowledge with support from the childminder, such as language skills and the sounds that different animals make.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have some opportunities to learn about wider society and begin to appreciate their own culture and the cultural traditions of others. For example, they have access to resources which reflect wider society and also participate in craft activities relating to Easter, birthdays and Christmas.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of how to promote equal opportunities. She ensures that all children have equal chances and that all are fully included and involved. 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 positive attitude about 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 positive relationships with adults. Children are well behaved and the childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of how to encourage good behaviour and promote a positive environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works well in partnership with parents and carers. Parents are kept informed of their child’s development and progress through regular discussions. Appropriate consent forms from parents are available and contract agreements are in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder ensures that adults caring for children are suitable to do so as all adults in the household have been appropriately vetted. The childminder has renewed her first aid qualification since the last inspection, which promotes children's safety.

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Organisation

Attendance records and observation indicate that adult to child ratios are effectively maintained. The childminder has high regard for the well-being of all children and they receive good adult support and attention. All documents and records required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are available, well kept and up to date. 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 ensure that only the registered person collects children from school, this recommendation has been fully addressed and the childminder is complying with the conditions of registration.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She was asked to improve hygiene practices regarding the family cat and to increase children's ability to self select toys and play equipment, including items which reflect wider society. These recommendations have been addressed, resulting in a more hygienic environment for children with a more varied range of resources available and easily accessible.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to increase her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, and has done this to some degree, however, she is currently not aware of the government booklet relating to child protection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to keep an up to date record of children's attendance and to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The organisation of the provision has improved as these recommendations have been fully addressed.

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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 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): • increase knowledge and understanding of the government booklet 'What To Do If You're Worried A Child Is Being Abused'.

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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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