Corah, Tracey

Inspection report for early years provision

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320808 Unique Reference Number 23 November 2007 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 2001. She lives in a property in the Farnley area of Leeds in West Yorkshire. The childminder has two children aged 16 and 11 years. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, along with a bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden to the front and side of the house for outside play. The childminder has a dog.

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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 and is currently minding four children under five years during the day and two children over five years before and after school and during the school holidays. The childminder is currently caring for children over eight years. Children presently attend on a part time basis. The childminder attends local toddler groups. The home is in close proximity to local shops, a library and park, schools, nurseries and transport links. 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 satisfactory. Most procedures which ensure that children are well taken care of if they become ill or have an accident are implemented. For example, the childminder obtains parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice and maintains a detailed log of accidents that occur at the setting and of medicines administered. However, existing injuries are not always recorded and the procedure for the administration of non-prescribed medicines is not always fully followed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from infection because suitable health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures are followed. For example, the home is very clean and well maintained, the childminder regularly wipes young children's noses and older children have individual towels in the bathroom. The childminder uses an anti-bacterial liquid hand gel to wash her hands regularly, for example, after changing nappies. A sign in the bathroom reminds children to wash their hands and even young children have their hands washed before they eat their snack.

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Helping children to be healthy

Older children contribute to the 'Staying Healthy' book, which includes a wide range of topics that effectively help them learn to understand simple good health and hygiene practices and healthy living. For example, they complete worksheets based on the 'five-a-day' regime, engage in fruit printing, talk about the importance of resting and sleeping well and of how to keep clean.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are helped to be well nourished. The childminder works in partnership with parents regarding the provision of meals and snacks and is happy to oblige if parents wish to bring their own food for their children. Meals and snacks that the childminder provides are generally nutritious and include healthy sandwiches, beans or spaghetti on toast, fruit, yoghurts and occasionally a biscuit or crisps. A freshly prepared hot meal, such as a casserole, pasta dish or chicken dinner, is additionally offered at tea time. The childminder provides no added sugar juice and does not add salt to any meals which she prepares. Children have individual accessible drinks to further promote their all round good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in a good range of physical activity to help them stay healthy. They benefit from fresh air and exercise as they walk daily to and from nursery or school, visit the park or feed the ducks on general walks. They access the childminder's garden where they develop confidence in their physical skills by using a varied range of equipment. This includes a slide, wheeled toys, different ball games, a balancing beam, stilts, the trampoline, skipping ropes and hoops. The childminder ensures that young children are well rested as their sleep needs are in line with their individual routines and parents' wishes.

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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 environment where their displayed artwork and posters create a pleasant visual impact and help them to develop a sense of belonging. Space is organised creatively to ensure that children's individual needs are met and to enable children to make choices about their play and learning. For example, toys are stored in low-level tubs, boxes and shelving. Furniture is organised effectively to ensure that young children can move around freely and safely.

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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 Children use a good range of very safe and suitable equipment. For example, older children can sit at the dining table to engage in arts and craft activities or with resources which may not be suitable for younger children. Younger children can develop independence as they sit in their highchair to eat their snack or engage in drawing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a very safe indoor and outdoor environment because risks have been identified and minimised effectively. For example, security of the premises ensures that children are unable to leave unsupervised, the fire is guarded, hazardous materials are inaccessible and a safety gate prevents access to the kitchen when the childminder is cooking. The childminder additionally talks to young children about safe practice as she intermittently tidies toys away saying, 'let's put some of these away so we don't fall over them'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Older children are in the process of completing a 'Be Safe' scrapbook. This looks at topics, such as safety in the car and home, fire safety and safety when playing out or when near roads. Activities include word searches and worksheets where children have to identify which places are safe or not safe to cross. Such activities help children to learn how to keep themselves safe. Children have also had visits to see the police or fire fighters to additionally support this area of their learning.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder fully understands her role in child protection. She has recently updated her child protection training and is very knowledgeable about possible signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect. The childminder is clearly aware of her responsibility to pass on concerns in a prompt and efficient manner to promote children's safety and welfare. A written policy has been devised to support the childminder's procedure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. As a result of effective settling-in arrangements, young children are well settled and present as happy and confident, for example, as they readily access the toys or approach the inspector to show them the building block object, such as a bumble bee that rattles or a car. Young children are confident to make decisions and investigate. They show inquisitiveness as they rummage through the dressing up box, attempt to explore the inspector's computer mouse or choose their favourite book.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder effectively plans activities in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework and Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. This means that children take part in a broad range of interesting play opportunities, which support their development and learning. For example, photographs show children engaging in baking, making Easter buns, playing in the sand and making different creations with arts and craft resources. Children also have the opportunity to learn about the wider world, nature and develop social skills through a range of exciting outings. For example, they have been on walks and collected leaves for rubbings or to bring home for leaf printing, visited Abbey House where they created peg dolls, visited the supermarket in Eureka and saw the animals at the Great Yorkshire Show. Younger children additionally attend toddler groups where they learn to take turns, share and relate well to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children develop imagination as they dress up in a range of costumes. The childminder asks, 'what's this?' as she helps to get the hats out or the police outfit. Young children choose a hat and the childminder helps them put the police tabard on. They then proudly show the

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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 inspector their outfit as they wander around the lounge waving a fairy wand or pretend to sweep the floor with this in imitation of adults.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children respond well to the childminder who demonstrates a warm and caring manner and shows interest in what they say and do. For example, they readily approach the childminder to sit on her knee to look at the touchy feely book entitled 'I am happy'. The childminder enthusiastically reads the story, inviting young children to touch the different textures and name the objects, such as a ball or a baby. Young children giggle as the childminder squeezes the toy lizard, then attempt to do this themselves. The childminder sits alongside young children to support their learning. For example, she shows them how to build with the blocks and young children giggle as the tower topples.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and included and have their individual needs met because the childminder works in very close partnership with parents. Effective pre-placement arrangements enable the childminder to find out about children's preferences, aptitudes and any other information which is required in order to provide good quality care. For example, dietary or health needs are recorded in detail and effectively met. Parents are asked to record their baby's typical routine at home in the baby book and older children complete an 'all about me' sheet, where they can draw and record different information, such as who they live with or what they like or do not like. They are also asked to contribute to the 'things that make us smile or sad' books, which are always available to children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are fully informed about the childminder's routines and childcare practices through discussion and the policy booklet. Parents are asked to confirm in writing that they have received a copy of these and have read and understood them. A parent information file has additionally been devised and includes a range of information, such as immunisations, car safety and early education. Informal friendly chats, photographs, scrapbooks and diaries for younger children provide parents with opportunities to exchange information about their child on a daily basis. Parents' comments in the form of thank you cards and references reflect very positive feedback about the provision and care of their children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder talks to older children about the house rules, which they take part in setting, and these are displayed to remind them. This helps them learn to respond to appropriate expectations for their behaviour. The childminder frequently offers young children praise and encouragement, for example, when they repeat words, eat their snack or draw a picture. This fosters their self-esteem. Positive relationships ensure that young children develop emotional well-being and the childminder acts as an excellent role model for children's behaviour, for example, as she uses good manners.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from an excellent range of activities and resources which help them value diversity, such as dressing up costumes, books, dolls and play figures. The childminder has devised a topic book relating to disabilities and senses where older children have cut out a range of pictures from magazines, looked at leaflets and books and talked about disability figures. A topic book about festivals has additionally been set up and shows children engaging in a range of activities. For example, as part of Chinese New Year children created their own menu, bought the items from the Chinese supermarket, looked at a Chinese newspaper and learnt about the Chinese calendar. A 'people just like us' scrapbook reflects positive images of ethnicity, gender, culture and disability. For example, pictures that children have cut out show

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 people from around the world, such as African tribesmen and women in traditional dress playing traditional musical instruments.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder demonstrates a generally very detailed knowledge and understanding of the National Standards, which means that outcomes for children are very good overall. The childminder demonstrates a clear sense of purpose and a commitment to continual improvement. She has attended all required training along with a range of additional courses and is currently undertaking the Diploma in Home Based Childcare to enhance her practice, which in turn benefits the children being cared for.

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Organisation

The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of all children in her care because safety is promoted effectively in the setting. The childminder has additionally followed the correct procedures for ensuring that when her child reached the age of 16 years appropriate documents were returned to Ofsted ensuring that suitability checks were carried out.

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Organisation

The adult to child ratio positively supports children's care, learning and play and young children receive good levels of attention. The childminder implements good routines to ensure that young children feel secure and utilises her time effectively to ensure that children take part in well planned, purposeful and stimulating play opportunities indoors, outdoors and through outings.

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Organisation

A good range of policies and procedures have been devised by the childminder and are individual to her setting and practice. Overall, these work very well to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Record keeping systems are well organised, promote confidentiality and are used effectively overall 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 regards to the provision and accessibility of resources and activities, safety, accident procedures, working in partnership with parents and equal opportunities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has enhanced children's care, learning and play because resources are now easily accessible and well organised and activities are effectively planned.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has enhanced working in partnership with parents because she has devised a policy booklet for parents, which is shared before placement and includes child protection and complaints.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's awareness of diversity is enhanced because the childminder plans innovative topics and has obtained a range of resources.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's safety and welfare are enhanced because the childminder has removed or made safe low-level glass and has obtained parental consents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice.

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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 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.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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): • further improve accident and illness procedures in relation to existing injuries and non-prescribed medicines.

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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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