Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY288178 Unique Reference Number 07 February 2008 Inspection date Linda Filewood 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 2004. She lives with her partner and child aged eight in Beeston, a suburb of Leeds. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding with bathroom facilities on the first floor. 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding three children on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler group. The family have two guinea pigs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 good. The children benefit from eating varied, healthy meals and snacks throughout the day and drinks of water are readily available. The childminder is aware of the children's individual dietary needs through discussions with their parents and any special dietary requirements are noted on their records. Children are encouraged to try new foods, particularly vegetables they would not normally eat. They grow some vegetables in the garden and enjoy picking and tasting them. The childminder encourages older children to decide on the weekly menu and this gives them opportunity to discuss the food they like or dislike.

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Helping children to be healthy

Older children are encouraged to become independent in their self-care and are supported well by the childminder who checks that they have washed their hands afterwards. Children routinely wash their hands before eating and brush their teeth after meals to keep themselves healthy. However, the risk of cross infection is not fully considered as only one towel is available for them to dry their hands on. Good arrangements are in place to care for children who are ill. The childminder shares her sickness policy with parents so that they are aware of when they should not bring their children. All the required documentation is in place to safeguard children’s welfare; parental consents are obtained and records are well maintained to record accidents or medication given. The childminder has maintained her first aid certificate to ensure children receive appropriate care in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a very good range of activities which contribute to their good health and help develop their physical skills. The garden offers a safe environment for outdoor activities and children play with a good variety of equipment, such as a rope ladder, trampoline and wheeled vehicles. They go on trips to the local parks to enjoy the extra play equipment available there and visit a soft play gym so younger children can develop their physical skills safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder ensures that safety precautions appropriate to the age of the minded children are in place so that they play safely. A fire evacuation plan, fire blanket and smoke detectors are in place in the home to protect the children in the event of an evacuation. All children are fully aware of what to do in the event of a fire as the drill is regularly practised and is well logged. Safety on outings is well maintained as young children are securely strapped into the pushchair and older children walk safely near to the childminder. Children are helped to understand the importance of keeping themselves safe, particularly when out walking, and know that they only cross the road when the crossing lights show a green man.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children move freely and confidently from one area to another, benefiting from the available space. They are well supervised at all times, especially when sleeping or playing in the garden. Resources, which are clean and well maintained, are within easy reach of the children, supporting their increasing independence. The childminder rotates the toys regularly from an extensive range which are suitable for the whole age range of minded children and makes good use of the local toy library to extend her resources further. This gives children variety, stimulation and challenge in their play.

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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 well protected as the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection procedures and the signs and symptoms of abuse. She is fully aware of the correct procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child’s safety and welfare. Parents are informed of the childminder’s responsibility to safeguard their children and the procedures which ensure that their children are collected only by authorised adults are shared with them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are happy and settled. They constantly achieve and develop because the childminder offers an extremely wide range of play opportunities which she uses competently to maximise the learning potential. She tracks the children's attainments in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Clear observations are fully recorded in the children's individual profiles, which are shared with parents, showing that she has a good understanding of providing them with activities that encourage their overall development. She skilfully engages children in discussion during play by asking open-ended questions so that letters, numbers, colours and shapes, for instance, are learnt during everyday play. Young children are gaining confidence in their abilities as the childminder offers plenty of praise and encouragement. She displays their work prominently in the kitchen and children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

proudly show the dragon picture with their name on it.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

An extensive variety of games are available and these help young children develop their concentration skills and teach all children to take turns. Younger children visit the local toddler group and are learning to play alongside other children and develop their social skills. Older children are given excellent support in continuing their learning from school. They all enjoy outings, particularly during the school holidays. Children learn where their food comes from as they pick strawberries and make butterflies after a trip to a tropical house. Young children's language skills are significantly enhanced though handling books, conversations with the childminder and having stories read to them, when the use of puppets and props actively contributes to their enjoyment. All children enjoy being creative and use their imagination well. They respond well to music, make models and paint with an excellent variety of materials and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children have access to a good selection of resources which promote a positive image of the world in which they live. The childminder uses books, jigsaws, games and puppets to promote discussion about similarities and differences. They learn about their local community during visits to toddler groups and outings to local amenities. Children are beginning to develop an awareness of the wider world as they, for example, enjoy craft activities and sample different food as they celebrate the Chinese New Year. The childminder has no experience of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities but has a positive attitude to providing all children with equal opportunities and respecting their individuality.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children behave well and are relaxed and confident to help themselves to toys and games. Older children join in decision making. For instance, they decide what food should go on the menu and what the house rules should be. They learn to share and take turns and play cooperatively, especially when playing games. The childminder has a clear understanding of appropriate strategies which can be used effectively for children in varying age groups. Positive

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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 behaviour is encouraged and gives support to the children, helping to build their self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed good written information for the parents, including many policies and procedures. However, the complaints procedure does not show the timescale for resolving complaints. She obtains sufficient information from parents when new children start to ensure she is able to meet their needs and take account of the parents' wishes. The childminder has a settling in period in place for new children to help them feel reassured and comfortable. She informally shares information with the parents on a daily basis about their child and also offers some written information on younger children regarding their daily activities, such as sleep and nappy changes. Very clear profiles of the children’s achievement help to inform parents of their child's development; they can access these at any time to see how their children are developing through the excellent activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder makes effective use of the indoor and outdoor environment to offer children plenty of opportunities for enjoyment and development. They have safe access to appropriate areas for their play, rest and meals and are easily supervised. The number of children in place at any one time is low so that they receive plenty of adult support and interaction. The childminder provides a child oriented, homely environment where children are comfortable and settled within their daily routines. She constantly seeks to improve her professional understanding and develops her provision by keeping in touch with current thinking and best practice.

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Organisation

Documentation is very well organised; all children's records are up to date and all necessary consents from parents are requested and retained. Well presented policies and information about the childminding service and their child's development are available to parents. The childminder shows a good knowledge and understanding of the National Standards and implements procedures which effectively promote the welfare, care and safety of children. 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 previous inspection the childminder was asked to develop a policy for the exclusion of children who were ill or infectious and to improve children's access to additional toys and play equipment indoors, to enable them to make choices and decisions. Both these recommendations have been met. The clearly written sickness policy is shared with parents so that they know when not to bring their children to protect the health of others. Resources, particularly craft items, are now easily accessible to children at all times to promote their independence and choice.

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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): • ensure good hygiene practices are put in place regarding hand drying • provide more detailed information in the written complaints procedure so that parents are aware of the timescale for resolving complaints.

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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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