Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY280137 Unique Reference Number 24 January 2008 Inspection date Thecla Grant 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 2004. She lives with her husband and three children aged six, 13 and 16 years in the Roundhay area of Leeds. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five all day, and three child over five before and after school. The childminder drives and walks to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties. She 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 outstanding. Children are effectively taken care of if they have an accident or become ill because the childminder persistently follows current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. The childminder has comprehensive records in place regarding the administration of medication to children these are shared with the parents. The childminder is trained in administering first aid. She keeps her first aid kit in easy access and is proactive in maintaining the items she is trained to use. For example, a list is kept of the items inside and the childminder regularly checks and replaces any item that is out of date.

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Helping children to be healthy

Excellent steps are in place to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder is committed to promoting the reasons why children must wash their hands correctly. For example, children use soap pumps and are reminded to wash between their fingers. As they do this the childminder reminds them that they do this to wash the germs away. Children discuss the reason why they wash their hands is because germs will make them ill and they will have to go to the doctors. As a result, the children successfully learn about simple health and hygiene practices. The childminder has thorough knowledge with regard to brushing teeth. With this regard, children wait for half an hour after they have eaten before they brush their teeth. Children's toothbrushes are kept in toilet bags.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a nutritious and balanced diet and have an excellent understanding of healthy eating from a young age. The older children are highly involved in the preparation of the snacks. For example, during the healthy eating theme they devised a shopping list and went shopping with the childminder to buy the items on their list. The children also prepared the snack. Younger children discuss foods that are good for them and foods that are not good for them. They discuss that fruit is good for them but too much chocolate is not.

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Helping children to be healthy

Meal times are a social occasion where the children sit with each other and enjoy their meal and good conversation. Snacks are attractively prepared and drinks are readily available for the children to access independently. Children access physical activities daily and they look forward to attending the soft play area.

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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 welcoming and secure environment. For example, the childminder keeps the main door locked during childminding hours and makes sure visitors sign the visitor's book. The childminder is friendly and welcoming to the children. She attractively displays the children's work and a variety of posters in the play room. Children act confidently within the setting, they access a wide range of resources which support and challenge them in ways appropriate to their needs. As a result, they show keen interest in what is provided and play happily for long periods of time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is proactive with regard to safety and successfully keeps the children safe whilst in her care. For example, there are no trip hazards and all low electric sockets are covered. The childminder covers all radiators in her home; those in the play room are controlled manually.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children understand what to do in case of emergencies, because the childminder regularly practises the procedures with them. As a result, children learn how to keep themselves safe.

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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 are effectively protected because the childminder fully understands her role in child protection. For example, the childminder has attended courses in child protection. She has policies and up to date information regarding 'Safeguarding Children'. The childminder is able to put appropriate procedures into practice if she suspects a child is at risk. As a result, children are effectively safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are highly involved in an excellent range of planned activities and spontaneous events which support their development and learning. Children are self motivated and confidently choose what they want to play with. For example, they thoroughly enjoy the marble painting and the finger painting. They learn new words during the activity, such as finger prints.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder successfully balances her time with the children. She skilfully allows time for children's initiated play and interacts when needed to extend their learning. Children are highly motivated to learn, they are taught colours such as silver and yellow. They have opportunities to develop their knowledge of the world through ice painting. For example, the childminder freezes ice with string or small toy inside. This intrigues the children with regard to how the item has got inside the ice. As a result, the children have excellent opportunities to explore and remain interested in the activity for some time.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is resourceful with regard to developing children's interest and curiosity. She has personal targets for the children and has devised children's profiles. These include the 'all about me forms' and are shared with the parents. The childminder has devised short term plans. These include the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Children's activities, such as what they have eaten, visits to the 'movement group' and how well they enjoyed their day, are recorded in their daily diary. This is then taken home by their parents, who also comment on their child's evening.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the childminder's home. They have developed a close relationship with the childminder and each other and are happy and settled. Children further benefit from a wide range of activities outside the childminder's home. Such as, visits to the library, farm, park and soft play centre.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are effectively cared for by the childminder because she successfully works with their parents. For example, the childminder has devised a sample menu of meals provided. She also has a typed copy of what the children have eaten; this is placed into the children's daily diary. The childminder has devised an information booklet for parents which includes all the policies and procedures of her setting. Parents sign to say they have received this.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has devised questionnaires for the parents about her overall care for their children. She also conducts a six monthly review with them. Parents are encouraged to share information with regard to their children. This is skilfully implemented to ensure children are cared for according to their individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is proactive with regard to caring for children with learning difficulties. She has attended training in inclusion and a policy is in place. The childminder works with the

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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 parents to provide the individual care needed to support children with learning difficulties and disabilities. The childminder also has a copy of the disability and discrimination act.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder promotes equality of opportunity through resources and festivals, such as Diwali. Toys and equipment available for the children positively promotes disability, gender, race and culture. As a result, children benefit from resources which help them to value diversity. However, the dressing up basket is not easily accessible, because the box of toys for the children under two is on top of it.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has clear boundaries with regard to behaviour management which children understand. She makes sure that children are not bored or frustrated but are busy and contented. Three-year-olds are able to negotiate and settle disputes on their own. For example, one three-year-old tells the other, 'You have it for two minutes, then I have it for two minutes'. As a result, children develop self-esteem and respect for others.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is self-motivated and has an exceptionally high sense of purpose. For example, she has developed her own personal development plan. The childminder is very committed to continual improvement and with this regard is dedicated to attending relevant training courses and workshops. As a result, the childminder successfully enhances her work with the children. The childminder is conscious of the need to make sure all persons over 16 years of age in her home are vetted. This information is available.

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Organisation

The childminder effectively makes sure the space provided for the children to play consistently enables them to manoeuvre safely. She makes sure children are supported and thrive during their time with her. As a result, children are happy and contented.

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Organisation

The childminder is very well organised. She keeps an abundance of documentation in a very well organised file. These include policies and procedures for the efficient and safe management of her provision. Documentation is exceptionally well implemented into the provision and work in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution.

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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 the childminder was asked to address recommendations regarding documentation. The childminder now has an appropriate insurance policy for her vehicle and has obtained the required information on the local area child projection committee as well as the up dated information for the Local Safeguarding Children Board. As a result, children thrive at the childminder's setting and steps taken have improved the organisation of the provision.

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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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Complaints 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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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): • make sure dressings up clothes are easily accessible to the children.

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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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