Cheesbrough Tracy

Inspection report for early years provision

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320288 Unique Reference Number 19 February 2008 Inspection date Shazaad Arshad 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 1998. She lives with her husband and their children aged 13 and 10. The family live in on an established residential housing estate in Swillington, which is situated on the outskirts of Leeds, West Yorkshire. The ground floor of the premises is used for childminding, with access to the first floor bathroom. Outside play is available at the rear of the property.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The area has good transport links and there is access to shops, children's play areas and parks. Schools and pre-school facilities for younger children are situated in the locality. The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years and she is currently caring for five minded children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children are cared for in an environment that successfully promotes their welfare. The childminder consistently follows good health procedures to prevent illness and takes positive

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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 steps to ensure that the registered premises are extremely hygienic. For example, the systems in place for changing nappies and helping children to develop a secure understanding of good hygiene practices are very effective.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder encourages healthy eating and supports parents to address the children's specific dietary requirements. For instance, although many of the children eat food prepared in advance by their parents, the childminder ensures that they do not swap food or eat any food that would be harmful to them. For example, some children attend with special diets and careful consideration is given to ensuring the food is not swapped. Mealtimes and snacks times are used as a sociable occasion where the children are involved in conversations and helped to develop self-help skills by feeding themselves. Drinks are always accessible and the childminder ensures that the children are reminded to have a drink, particularly after vigorous physical play.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have opportunities to enjoy fresh air on most days because they are taken for walks in and around the local community. The children also enjoy access to a well-equipped rear garden where they play ball games and learn how to use the interesting selection of equipment including hoops and small wheeled toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are well protected because the childminder carefully monitors her premises to ensure that the risk of accidental injury is minimised. This is achieved through the implementation of consistent visual risk assessments and continuous high level supervision of the children. Safety equipment is in use around the home and all potentially hazardous materials and substances are stored securely out of reach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is very sensitive to the children's ages and abilities. She gives the children gentle reminders about how to prevent accidents and provides a safe play space by routinely encouraging the children to tidy away toys and mopping up any spillages. Fire safety is considered appropriately and all exits are free from obstruction in order to facilitate the swift evacuation of the premises in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has attended training in child protection. She has a confident understanding of the local child protection procedures, including a sound knowledge of many of the indicators of child abuse and neglect. However, the latest guidance on the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures are not kept in the documentation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The needs of young children are effectively addressed because the childminder has a confident understanding of their personal preferences and stages of development. She records children's development in their individual profiles and successfully interprets their needs and stages of development. The children are provided with a range of interesting activities that motivate and encourage learning through play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children benefit from taking part in a variety of creative activities and use textured resources. They also benefit from planned opportunities, which encourage exploration with a range of paints, modelling materials and natural play materials, such as sand and water. The childminder uses everyday experiences to help extend the children's vocabulary and communication skills.

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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 For instance, she uses language extensively throughout the day and activities include singing, reading stories and asking the children a range of pertinent and thought-provoking questions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is extremely sensitive towards the children and she respects their privacy. During personal care routines, such as nappy changing, they are treated respectfully and fully included in the process; this engenders mutual respect and a strong sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are thriving in the care of the attentive childminder, who shares her time between the children effectively and treats all children with equal concern. She provides a childminding service that is free from discrimination and helps the children to value diversity. This is achieved through the provision of books and toys that show positive images of men, women and children from a range of cultural backgrounds with varying needs. The childminder has attended the equality and inclusion training

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour boundaries are discussed with the older children and they are actively included in the setting down of rules in the household which contribute to their well-being and safety. In addition, the childminder is keen to ensure that she models positive behaviour, such as sharing, using manners and treating the children respectfully. She has a good understanding of how to deal with a range of different behaviours, without humiliating the children or damaging their self-esteem. This includes talking to the children and providing high levels of praise and encouragement for their achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder values partnership with parents in order to ensure that the children remain happy and settle quickly. She provides them with a copy of her code of practice which includes all the relevant policies and she shares children's progress and development on a daily basis and strives to ensure that parents remain satisfied with the high level of care that their children receive. The childminder has good systems in place for recording all of the required parental consents and personal information about the children. As a result of good recording keeping and open communication with parents, the children benefit from consistent care that is provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has effective childcare skills and she organises her service effectively to address the unique circumstances of individual families. The premises are extremely well maintained, welcoming and secure. In addition, the childminder ensures the free space is successfully utilised to enable the children to use their toys comfortably. The children are provided with individual care due to the low numbers and therefore the children benefit from high levels of good quality adult attention.

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Organisation

The childminder has a clear understanding of the National Standards and she complies with all conditions of her registration. She has completed a number of appropriate childcare training courses which lead to her developing her practice to have a positive effect on the care that she provides to the children. For example, she has attended equality training, fire safety training and the introduction to the Foundation Stage.

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Organisation

All of the required documentation is in place and well ordered. For example, the children's personal details are documented appropriately and they are frequently reviewed to take account

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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 of any changes in circumstances. Parents have access to a range of well-written policies and procedures that underpin the daily operation of the setting; this includes access to a robust complaints procedure. However the accident records do not include enough detail.

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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

Following the last inspection, a recommendations was made to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and before administering medication to children. The childminder has addressed the action and has all the required permissions in place, ensuring children are safeguarded at all times.

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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): • obtain the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures • improve the accident recording systems.

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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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