Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY280419 Unique Reference Number 23 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 satisfactory. 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 2004. She lives with her husband and one child aged 10 years in the Roundhay area of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding 16 children under eight years after school. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder suitably follows appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines. For example, the childminder is trained in first aid and her first aid box is easily accessible. As a result, children are well taken care of if they have an accident or become ill.

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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 The childminder has appropriate permissions and records in place regarding administering medication to children. Parents are informed of accidents in the setting and are aware of the verbal policy regarding children who are sick. Children have a good understanding of hygiene. They discuss that germs will get on their food if they do not wash their hands before eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder prepares a cooked tea for the children. She makes sure children's dietary needs are recorded and discussed with their parents. As a result, children's dietary requirements are suitably met. Meal times are a social occasion where children under eight and children over eight sit together at the table. They enjoy good conversation whilst they eat their meal. Drinks are available during tea time. If the children are thirsty before that time they ask the childminder for a drink of water.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder is friendly and welcoming to the children and their parents. Children are provided with two specific play rooms. One for quiet play and watching television. The other has a suitable amount of age appropriate toys and equipment for the children to access. As a result, children choose what they want to play with or organise their own entertainment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is not proactive with regard to making sure trip hazards are minimised. For example, children's coats are piled on the floor between the front door and stairway, and their shoes are piled between the kitchen door and hall. The back door is kept unlocked during childminding hours, and although the childminder monitors access, this is not consistent.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has appropriate fire equipment in her home. For example, the fire blanket is displayed in the kitchen and smoke alarms are situated on all levels of her home. The childminder practises the fire drill with the children, but does not record these practises. The children have a good understanding of fire safety and discuss the different exits used for escape. 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

Children are adequately protected because the childminder has a suitable understanding her role in child protection. She uses the information from her training course to share with the parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are involved in an adequate range of activities. For example, they enjoy playing with the beads which lock together to make patterns, they build with the small construction bricks and complete their home work assignment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The older children are self motivated and independently plan their own play, such as laughing contests and singing and dancing competitions. The younger children independently choose what they want to play with and sit at the table. However, there are not enough activities readily available for the younger children to choose from.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident in their surroundings and enjoy their time at the childminder's home. They have developed a close relationship with the childminder and each other.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are appropriately cared for by the childminder because she works well with their parents. For example, the childminder has devised a letter which introduces her service. This is given to parents when their children enrol and forms part of a contract which sets out the business arrangement. However, it is not signed by the parents. The childminder shares her complaint policy with parents and regularly feeds back to parents about their child's day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Suitable steps are taken to promote the development of children with learning difficulties and disabilities. For example, the childminder works closely with parents and liaises with other relevant professionals. She is proactive in researching information needed for specific disabilities and implements them in her care of the children. However, the furniture is not effectively organised. As a result, children do not have enough floor space.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder promotes equality of opportunity through cultural and religious celebrations. However, resources to positively promote gender are minimal and resources to positively promote disability, race and culture are not available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are well behaved they have a good understanding of responsible behaviour. For example, they discuss that they must not run or fight whilst at the childminder's home.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has attended some training and is suitably committed to continual improvement. The childminder is conscious of the need for persons over 16 years in her home to be vetted. This information is readily available. The childminder keeps within the constraints of her registered numbers. She organises her home so children use the two reception rooms on the ground floor.

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Organisation

The childminder has all the documentation needed to promote the welfare of the children. She keeps a record of the children's daily attendance, but this does not show their times of arrival or departure.

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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 complete actions regarding documentation and training. The childminder has attended a first aid course and has a current first aid certificate. The register is available but the times of arrival and collection are not recorded.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to complete recommendations with regard to resources and fire safety. The childminder has not yet bought resources that promote equality of opportunity. She practises the fire drill with the children and they know what to do in case of fire emergencies. The childminder has smoke detectors at all levels of the house. As a result, steps taken mostly improved the organisation of the provision.

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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 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 satisfactory. 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 the premises are secure and children are not able to leave them unsupervised. Make sure trip hazards to children on the premises are minimised and the fire practises are recorded • provide more activities for children under eight years • make sure the letter which forms the contract sets out the expectations of both parties and is signed by the parents • provide resources to include gender, race and disabilities and make sure the furniture is organised effectively to provide enough floor space for all children to manoeuvre freely.

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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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