Dickey, Jeanette

Inspection report for early years provision

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319903 Unique Reference Number 07 January 2008 Inspection date Rachel Ayo 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 1991. She lives with her husband and children aged 15, 12 and 11 years in a property in the Pudsey area of Leeds, West Yorkshire. The childminder works with an assistant on a part time basis who, on occasions, has sole charge of children. The converted basement and two lounges on the ground floor of the childminder's house are used for childminding. There is an 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 under eight years at any one time or seven when co-minding with her assistant. She is currently minding five children under five years during the day. The childminder attends local toddler groups. The home is in close proximity to shops and schools and is on a local bus route. The family have three cats. The childminder is a member of the Pudsey Childminding Group.

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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 are well protected from infection because the childminder and her assistant follow good health and hygiene procedures. For example, both adults have attended courses which relate to food safety, hands are washed with anti-bacterial liquid soap after changing nappies and before preparing or handling food, runny noses are regularly wiped and children have individual towels and bedding. Parents are provided with a copy of the illness policy, which includes the exclusion of children with an infectious illness. This further minimises cross-contamination. Children readily wash their hands before they eat as they learn to understand simple good health and hygiene practices. Older children demonstrate an awareness of a healthy lifestyle as they say that they must not eat too many sweets as they will get holes in their teeth and the dentist will have to put 'metal bits' in them.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder maintains a current first aid training certificate, obtains consents to seek emergency medical treatment and the first aid box is checked regularly to ensure that it is well stocked. These procedures mean that children are well taken care of if they have an accident or become unwell in the childminder's care. Most health documents are maintained suitably. However, accident records lack some detail in relation to when parents have countersigned the entry and confidentiality is not always maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are helped to be well nourished. The childminder has obtained a range of information to enhance her knowledge about healthy eating and she provides a good variety of well balanced and nutritious meals and snacks. Examples includes fresh pasta with sauces, chicken, vegetables and potatoes, lasagne, fruit, yoghurts and scrambled egg on toast. Children readily tuck into the healthy sandwich and salad provided at lunch time. Children's all round good health is additionally enhanced as they readily access drinks. Health packs are given to parents, to inform them about the good practice of the setting.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy eating and living in a range of ways. They plant and grow vegetables such as runner beans, engage in baking and have taken part in the 'five-a-day' topic. One activity relating to this entailed children creating paper plate collages with pictures of healthy foods. The childminder's assistant encourages older children to eat the skin on their fruit and vegetables explaining that it contains vitamins that are good for the body.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in a good range of physical activity. They benefit from fresh air and exercise through playing in the garden, weather permitting, and visiting the park and use a variety of equipment that helps them develop confidence in their physical skills. Indoors, children take part in singing, dancing and action songs. They confidently show the childminder's assistant that they can balance on one leg, swing their arms or jump high. Young children are well rested because the childminder recognises signs of tiredness and responds to their individual needs.

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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 very warm and welcoming child centred environment. Children's bright artwork, displays and posters adorn the walls of the converted basement play room, which helps children to develop a sense of belonging and creates a pleasant visual impact. Space is generally organised creatively to meet children's needs and enable them to move

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 around freely and safely. For example, resources are set out at low-level to enable children to make choices and they are able to relax on the sofa or beanbags, for example, as they sit down to watch a video while their lunch settles.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a good range of suitable and safe equipment to promote their development and meet their needs. For example, child sized tables and chairs enable younger children to develop independence, such as at mealtimes and they are able to sleep undisturbed in travel cots placed in the lounges on the ground floor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a very safe environment because risks are identified and minimised effectively. The childminder has additionally obtained a wide range of information to support her practice and keep up-to-date with any changing practice. A CCTV system effectively monitors access to the premises to promote children's welfare and can additionally be used to supervise sleeping children, along with listening devises and regular checks. Fire safety is promoted to a high standard. A fire safety officer has visited the home and the childminder has completed a home fire risk assessment and obtained a certificate for fire safety. The emergency escape plan is regularly practised to help children learn about safe practice and a record is maintained of these. Explanations, resources and topics effectively help children to learn to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded well in most aspects because the childminder is very clear about her responsibilities with regards to child protection. She has attended training in this subject and is able to identify a range of possible signs or symptoms of abuse or neglect. The childminder is aware of the appropriate authorities to contact, however, she does not have up-to-date procedures or contact numbers in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well settled. They readily enter the setting as they say goodbye to their parents and confidently choose their preferred activity, such as the activity garden. Children take part in a good range of play opportunities and spontaneous events both inside and outside the home and actively explore their environment. The childminder informally plans activities around the 'Birth to three matters' framework and keeps a record of what has been set out each day. This ensures that toys are rotated to offer children a variety to support their development and learning and sustain their interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enthusiastically engage in the 'Winter tree' collage activity. They feel the textures of different materials, such as cotton wool, sticking this onto their picture to represent snow. They look through the pre-prepared pictures on card, such as a bird eating nuts or a snowman and add these to their creation. Older children engage in conversation with the childminder's assistant, for example, as they talk about the birds and squirrels that visit the childminder's garden to eat nuts and the animals that hibernate in the Winter time.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children develop imagination as they explore the role play and small world resources. For example, they put the doll in the pram or give it a cuddle and put the animals on the back of a truck as they wheel this around the room. They clearly enjoy exploring sound as they bang the metal pan with the wooden spoon or the African drum, join in with singing songs or play the recorder. The childminder's assistant encourages children to use their imagination by helping them to create a train with chairs; they excitedly pretend to go on a journey.

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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 Children respond well to the childminder and her assistant who are enthusiastic and interested in what they say and do. They spend good amounts of time sitting directly with children at the table or on the floor, asking questions to support learning. For example, the childminder's assistant reads stories enthusiastically, encouraging children to talk about what is happening. The childminder sits and supports young children's creativity with the musical instruments.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have their individual needs met well because the childminder works in close partnership with parents. Good arrangements are in place for ensuring that parents are informed about the childminder's practice. For example, the childminder shares files containing written policies and procedures, photographs of children engaging in a wide range of activities and outings, insurance details and certificates of training. Parents are asked to share information about their child's aptitudes and preferences to enable appropriate care and this information is recorded and fully adhered to.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Daily record sheets are maintained to effectively inform parents about what their children do. Children's progress, including significant achievements, are recorded in a file along with annotated photographs which keeps parents informed about their children's development. Positive comments are reflected in numerous thank you letters and cards.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a good range of resources which help them learn about diversity, for example, books, role play toys such as dolls and play figures. A varied range of activities are also planned to help children learn about the wider world and value and appreciate the similarities and differences between themselves and others. For example, children have taken part in the sponsored 'toddle waddle' to raise money for the meningitis trust and collected bottle tops to help towards the purchase of wheelchairs and other aids for people with a disability. The childminder takes part in planning different festivals as part of the Pudsey Childminding Group. For example, children have taken part in Chinese New Year. This included writing their names in Chinese, attempting to use chopsticks and trying a variety of food.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well in the setting. They learn to respond to appropriate expectations for their behaviour because they have clear boundaries and explanations. They are kept occupied and the childminder and her assistant focus on positive reinforcement. For example, children's achievements, such as eating their dinner or creating a collage, are acknowledged with praise and encouragement. This fosters children's self-esteem.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Effective use of time and organisation means that children take part in a good variety of play and learning experiences indoors, outdoors and on outings. For example, because the childminder is a member of a childminding group children participate in sports days, charity events and trips such as to Harwood House or the zoo. Such events and outings promote children's social development and participation within the community.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended required training along with attending additional courses to further develop her knowledge and understanding of child care and to enhance outcomes for children. This demonstrates her commitment to continual improvement. Good deployment of the childminder's assistant and consistent routines means that children are well supported, feel

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 secure and receive good levels of attention. This is reflected in children's interest in the environment and in how they clearly enjoy their time at the setting. Assistants generally have the appropriate experience, skills and ability to look after children as they are encouraged to attend training courses, although this does not extend to first aid.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures, some which are written, work well in practice overall to promote positive outcomes for children. Record keeping systems are generally used well to promote the efficient and safe management of the setting, promote children's well-being and meet individual needs.

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Organisation

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 last inspection, a number of recommendations were raised with regard to behaviour management and documentation.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now keeps a record of when her assistant is present and she explains that although she has not had to record any existing injuries, she would ensure that parents countersign these. This enhances record keeping, which is required for the efficient and safe management of the setting.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has developed her knowledge and understanding of behaviour management. She is aware of a range of suitable and appropriate strategies to manage children's behaviour in a way which promotes their welfare and self-esteem.

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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 all 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): • include more detail in accident records and ensure that they promote confidentiality • obtain the most up-to-date safeguarding procedures • ensure that any assistant has the appropriate skills, experience and qualifications when left in sole charge of the children.

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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 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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