Beevers, Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

320749 Unique Reference Number 16 January 2008 Inspection date Melissa Louise Patel Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since the year 2000. She lives with her husband and son aged three years. She works with her mother, whom is an assistant childminder. The childminder lives in a large end terraced house in Pudsey, a suburb of Leeds. The family live in close walking distance to local shops, schools, the library and a park. The children are cared for in the converted basement in the home. There is a large enclosed garden for outdoor play. There are currently seven children being cared for on a full and part time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment. They are learning good hygiene routines as they wash their hands at appropriate times, such as after toileting and before meals. Children use separate paper towels to dry their hands, in order to help prevent any possible cross infection. The children are learning effectively about healthy eating through discussion and activities. For example, they cut out pictures of healthy foods and stick them on to paper

p.2

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 plates. They also eat a range of healthy foods, such as chicken, casseroles and lots of vegetables. They eat foods, such as toast and fruit for their snacks. In addition, the children access healthy drinks, such as water, milk and juice. There is a written menu which demonstrates a range of healthy food options offered to the children. The children's dietary needs are met through the childminder working closely with the parents.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

There are clear accident and medication procedures in place to support the children's welfare. The children develop their gross physical skills well indoors. For example, they can move around independently and there is plenty of space for the children to dance, express themselves freely and push and pull equipment, such as small toy pushchairs. Outdoors, the children have many opportunities to use large equipment, such as slides, toys that rock and sit-and-ride-on toys. The children are starting to learn the importance of living a healthy lifestyle through receiving lots of fresh air and exercise in the garden and on outings.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and well maintained environment indoors and outdoors where risks are minimised. The childminder gives high priority to ensuring children are safe. For example, the children are supervised at all times and the home is checked regularly to ensure the premises and equipment are in good condition. In addition, the home is bright, which creates a welcoming environment for the children. They are learning effectively about their own safety through discussions, daily activities and routines. For example, the children are learning about road safety through a planned activity. They practise safety on outings and they make pictures which link clearly to road safety. The children also learn about their own safety as they move around the room. For example, they learn to sit carefully on the furniture. The children wear bright coloured wristbands on outings. This keeps the children safe on gloomy days as they

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Clear fire procedures are in place to protect children and are practised with them regularly. In addition, the security in the home is effective to ensure children can not leave the premises unsupervised and to ensure no unwanted visitors can enter. Children can move around the environment independently, using resources that are stored appropriately. The children are protected well through the childminder's clear understanding of protecting children. The appropriate safeguarding procedures are in place. In addition, there is a supporting safeguarding policy which is shared with the parents. However, the government booklet 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused: summary' is not in place, in order to provide guidance to further enhance the children's welfare.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a stimulating and calm environment. For example, the children can choose from a good range of resources, which are easily accessible and that are suitable for the children's different ages and stages of development. There is children's music played in the background which helps create a relaxed atmosphere for them. The children benefit as they can move around independently between two interlinking rooms. They enjoy listening to stories and use their creative skills. For example, they make musical shakers and they frequently make marks with different coloured crayons. The children's play links clearly to the 'Birth to three matters' framework. For example, the children are developing their communication skills

p.3

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 effectively. For example, whilst the children use their imagination playing in the toy kitchen, the childminder asks them effective questions, such as 'what are you making?' and 'how many plates do you need?'. In addition, the children are communicating between themselves and they are also having fun. There are written plans of activities kept, which support the children's learning. However, the childminder is not yet fully developing the written planning of activities in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework, in order to further enhance children's development.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are developing their self-care skills effectively. For example, they use the bathroom as appropriate and wash their hands. In addition, they help tidy away. Children's care needs are met. For example, they eat at appropriate times and they can rest when they need to.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. There is a clear written equal opportunities policy in place which supports diversity and promotes the children's welfare. The children are learning about differences in people positively through using a range of resources, such as books and toy figures that represent disabilities and dressing-up costumes and materials.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to behave positively through receiving praise and reassurance from the childminder and assistant childminder through everyday activities and routines. For example, they receive praise whilst eating their snack and when tidying up. Children are learning well about boundaries. For example, they learn to be kind to one another through receiving gentle explanations from the adults during daily events. The children are valued fully as individuals which promotes their self-esteem well. For example, they receive positive recognition from the childminder for helping other children. In addition, at the end of the week the children receive a smiley face or a star on the name chart.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The children's overall welfare is promoted effectively as the childminder works in partnership with the parents. For example, the parents receive daily verbal information regarding their child's care and routine. The parents also receive written information about the provision through the policies and procedures, which are readily available, such as the equal opportunities policy, safety and the safeguarding policy. There is lots of useful information available to the parents displayed on the notice board. For example, there is a varied range of information to support the children's general health needs and useful information on places of interest to visit if they wish. In addition, the children's care is supported well as the childminder has a clear understanding of the complaints procedure.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a safe and well organised environment, which supports their care and learning effectively. For example, they can access a good range of resources that are readily available indoors and outdoors in the garden. They are benefiting from a healthy lifestyle which is promoted through healthy eating, regular exercise and fresh air. The children are valued well as individuals. This promotes their self-esteem. The childminder works with an assistant, whom both work well together in the interests of the children.

p.4

Organisation

The written documentation is mostly available and is effective, in order to promote and maintain the welfare of any child and keep parents appropriately informed about the service provided.

p.4

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 For example, there is a good range of policies and procedures available. The children benefit as the childminder has attended a range of courses to support the children, such as first aid, food hygiene and fire safety awareness. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to extend the resources to positively reflect disability and to improve the procedures for the recording of accidents.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has ensured that her accident records are fully maintained in line with the National Standards for childminding. She has also improved her resources to reflect disability. For example, disability is reflected positively in the books available and through a varied range of play figures, such as people in wheelchairs and using a walking frame. This means that the childminder has improved the procedures and resources to support the children's welfare and learning well.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • further develop the planning of activities in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework • update the documentation to include the booklet 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused: summary'.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5