Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY286292 Unique Reference Number 05 February 2008 Inspection date Melissa Louise Patel 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 June 2004. She lives with her partner and two children aged one and four years. They live in a detached house in the Horsforth area of Leeds. All areas on the ground floor are used for childminding and there is some access to the first floor. There is an enclosed rear outdoor garden suitable for outside play. The childminder is currently caring for two children on a part-time basis. She attends local toddler groups regularly. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment. There are clear hygiene procedures in place which are followed to promote the children's good health. For example, the children are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times, such as after toileting and before meals. In addition, the children can explain why they need to wash their hands. The children's care is supported effectively as there are clear accident, emergency and medication procedures in place.

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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 Children are encouraged to eat healthy meals. For example, they are offered a choice of sandwich fillings at lunchtime, such as ham, egg mayonnaise or cheese. A nutritious main meal is offered in the evening, such as cheesy pasta and broccoli, fish or shepherd's pie. The meals are freshly made. Children drink healthy drinks, such as fresh juices, water or milk. Snacks are usually fruit, such as raisins or fruit bars.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children's physical skills are developing well. For example, indoors the children can move around the environment freely and they have opportunities to move to music and to dance. Outdoors the children can learn to climb on the good quality large equipment or they can slide and balance. They can also use a variety of other equipment to develop their gross physical skills, such as sit-and-ride toys. In addition, there is plenty of space to run and explore. The children benefit as they receive lots of fresh air outdoors, which helps promote a healthy lifestyle for them. The children can also use their imaginations outdoors and have fun. For example, a real boat is available for the children to explore and play with whilst enjoying the outdoor life and exercising.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment where they can move around independently and stay safe. For example, the children can use a range of good quality equipment which is stored safely, and risks are identified and minimised. The children are learning about safety. For example, they receive gentle reminders from the childminder to be careful and why, whilst they move around the room experimenting with a box. Children are kept safe on outings as the childminder uses appropriate equipment to keep them secure dependent on their age and ability. Children explain that they have to stop at the end of the road and look to see if a car is coming before they can cross safely. Children benefit as there are clear fire evacuation procedures in place which are practised with them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's safety is protected and promoted as the childminder has a clear understanding of how to safeguard children and whom to contact if concerned about a child. In addition, all the written safeguarding documents are available, in order to support them. Children are further supported as the childminder has attended up-to-date training on how to safeguard them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a bright and stimulating environment. For example, the rooms used let in lots of light and there are plenty of resources available for the children to choose from freely and that are set out for them. This enables the children to develop their independence effectively. They build with bricks and they are learning counting skills through active encouragement from the childminder during this activity. They are developing their fine motor skills and hand and eye co-ordination as they enjoy controlling different sized toy cars and fix small pieces together. They have many opportunities to create using collage, glue and paint.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit as the childminder has a good understanding of the children's different ages and stages of development. For example, she helps the children learn through asking them effective questions, such as 'what colour is this?' and 'can you help me count these?'. In addition, the children are developing their imagination and thinking skills as the childminder encourages the children to plan what resource they are going to use to make their monster cave. However, the childminder is not yet fully developing the planning of activities in line with the 'Birth to

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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 three matters' framework, when children of this age range attend, in order to further enhance children's development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are learning effectively about what is right and wrong. For example, they learn to be kind to one another and to co-operate during their play. In addition, the children's care needs are met well. For example, the children eat regular meals and develop their self-care skills as they independently use the bathroom when they need to.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to behave positively through receiving praise and reassurance from the childminder through everyday activities and routines. For example, children are praised as they help tidy up and share toys. They also learn to consider others as they play. This is because they receive explanations from the childminder to help them understand different situations and to support them. In addition, there is a clear written behaviour policy which supports the promotion of positive behaviour effectively, such as recognising consistency and rewarding positive behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a clear written equal opportunities policy in place which supports diversity and promotes the children's welfare. Children are learning appropriately about differences in people through using resources, such as books and toy wheelchairs and through discussions that arise as the children notice differences whilst out on outings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children's consistency of care is effectively promoted. This is because the childminder works in partnership with the parents by providing useful information through discussions at the beginning and at the end of the day. In addition, there are a good range of documents that are shared with the parents, such as policies and procedures. The childminder has a clear understanding of the complaints procedure in line with regulations in order to support children and parents should a complaint arise in the future.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a safe and effectively organised environment, which supports their welfare and learning. For example, they can use a varied range of resources that are readily available indoors and a good range outdoors in the garden. In addition, the provision is arranged for children to use other outdoor resources on outings, such as to the park.

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Organisation

The documentation to support the children's care is readily available and is effective, in order to support children. For example, there are clear written emergency procedures in place and clear boundaries for behaviour management. The children benefit from the childminder attending regular training courses, in order to support them, such as first aid and safeguarding children. In addition, the childminder is keeping up-to-date with training that will effect childminding in the future, such as attending training on the Early Years Foundation Stage. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the provider was asked to ensure basic first aid equipment is available at all times and to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now ensures that basic first aid equipment is available not only in the home but out on outings. Children now have access to suitable resources to promote diversity and anti-discriminatory practice. For example, there are now suitable images of diversity portrayed through toys and books. This improves safety for children and promotes diversity positively for children.

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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): • further develop the understanding of planning in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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