Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY290745 Unique Reference Number 14 March 2008 Inspection date Jane Elizabeth O'Callaghan 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 husband and two children aged four and one years old in Cookridge, on the outskirts of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor, two upstairs front bedrooms and bathroom is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and two children over night. She currently has four children on roll, all on a part time basis. The childminder goes to the local parks and library, and attends the local toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is qualified at level 3 in child care and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder provides over night care.

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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 cared for in an extremely healthy environment promoted through the childminder talking to children and ensuring that very effective routines are implemented and followed. For example, children understand the reasons for washing their hands before lunch, after playing outdoors, wiping their nose and after using the toilet. Children have access to a clean flannel to dry their hands on each time they have washed them. This prevents any risk of cross infection. Children have excellent opportunities to be involved daily physical play through regular walks within the community, visits to soft play areas and also in the childminder's extremely safe and enclosed garden, where children can run around and play on a fantastic selection of physical equipment. For example, they ride bicycles, play with balls of all sizes, and use the swing and the slide. Children are encouraged to participate in music and movement sessions both indoors

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Helping children to be healthy

and outside, helping them to develop control of their bodies and express themselves in fun and creative ways.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a very in depth policy regarding sickness and for caring for any child that becomes ill whilst in her care. For example, it states that any children with upset stomachs are required to be absent for a period of 48 hours and children with any infectious diseases must be at home for the stated incubation period. All accident and medication records are up to date and completed, and signed by parents. The childminder has two first aid boxes, one for the home and another that she takes out on outings. Contents of both are listed and checked regularly against the list given at the first aid course attended in 2008.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides healthy, nutritious and interesting snacks at lunch time and children are encouraged to help to make them. For example, at the visit children make wraps using tortillas, with sweet corn, cucumber, tomatoes, cheese and carrots. The childminder also offers children an excellent variety of healthy home made main meals. She shares information about meals on offer with parents in the form of a daily menu. The childminder always talks to parents about any allergies and dislikes that the children have and these are all recorded well on their registration forms and updated regularly. This ensures that both the children's and parents' needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder acknowledges individual children's needs for rest and sleep well, and prepares for this in her daily routine. Depending on the age and needs of the children they are able to sleep in pushchairs or rest on a settee in the lounge. The childminder has good facilities to offer overnight care to children. They are given clean sheets when they stay to prevent cross infection and each child has their own basket to store personal items. The childminder works very closely and effectively with parents, to ensure all their needs are met. For example, she asks parents about their child's individual routines, what time they go to bed and specifically their bedtime routine, including if they have any comfort toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder uses the ground floor of the home for children to play in rear all and they have good access to a very safe rear outdoor area. There is excellent space for children to move around independently and with confidence, accessing toys and equipment. The childminder has use of both a landline and a mobile phone and stores all children's contact numbers in

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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 them. For additional security she has contact numbers written down, along with separate forms for the children when on outings, these give clear parental permission for the childminder to transport children in her car, to use public transport and to administer emergency treatment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an excellent selection of equipment for all ages and stages of children's development. For example, children have use of feeding chairs, booster seats and buggies. The childminder checks all equipment and toys for cleanliness and safety daily. She also does daily recorded risk assessments for both indoor and outdoor activities and records this information. This ensures that children are cared for in an extremely safe environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an in depth written evacuation plan, she practices and records regular fire drills, which includes practising with the children who stay over night. The childminder has taken the additional steps of requesting the fire service to visit, as she wishes to register another bedroom for the over night care she provides. The fire service checked and replaced all smoke alarms, advised where to place the fire blanket and reviewed the childminder's evacuation plan. Seeking this additional advice ensures robust safety procedures are in place, and children are cared for in an exceptionally safe environment

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an excellent understanding and awareness of child protection procedures. She has a well written policy and procedure which she shows to parents. The policy includes all the contact numbers and the correct procedures to follow if required. The childminder has attended training through various courses and is fully aware of the importance of keeping up to date with the procedures through regular training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder provides a very positive learning environment in which children are encouraged to participate in an excellent range of purposeful activities. She has an excellent knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, which she uses to meticulously plan activities. She uses her observations very effectively to keep a written record of the progress each child is making and to plan for the next steps in their learning. The children's achievements and the progress they are making is shared and discussed with parents on a regular basis.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides an extremely warm and caring environment for all children. She interacts well with the children at their level, she knows their likes and dislikes and uses this as a basis to develop strong relationships. The childminder actively contributes to the children's physical development with an excellent range of outdoor toys and visits within the local community, for example, swing, slide, balls, bikes, bats, hoola-hoops, coite throwing, scooters, and tents. The children can play outside with this extensive range whatever the weather conditions. For example, at the visit children played outside with the sand, making sand castles and with lots of interaction from the childminder. For example, children are encouraged to count how many sand castles they have made and also whether the buckets are full or half full. This developing the children mathematical skills. The childminder takes children to local places

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of interest, such as parks, soft play areas and toddler groups regularly, where children can meet other children and adults and play well together in a social environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder constantly talks to children throughout their stay, playing with them, helping them to decide what they want to play with. For example, children played with the computer and helped each other on how to play the games and with close supervision from the childminder.

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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 The children are encouraged to use their imagination through role play, pretending to make dinners for each other and playing with dolls.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides younger children with valuable opportunities to explore different textures, in the extensive range of different materials that children can access. For example, children can bake, play and make their own play dough. She is very skilled at asking children open-ended questions to develop their learning. For example, she encourages them to explore different sounds as they play with musical instruments and they have great fun as they join in with nursery rhymes and songs, which supports their communication skills very effectively. All children are extremely settled and comfortable in the childminder's care. They develop very close, trusting relationships, respond very positively to her very kind, caring manner and are making excellent progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good selection of resources, including books about different cultures, dolls of different nationalities, books and small figures depicting people with learning difficulties and disabilities. The childminder ensures that children learn about different cultures through the celebrating of different festivals from other countries. For example, children have celebrated Caribbean carnival, Diwali and have drawn paper rats for Chinese New Year. The childminder has a list explaining different festivals that are celebrated throughout the year and is to celebrate with the children a variety of festivals from this. This develops children's knowledge and understanding of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a written policy on equal opportunities. This explains to parents that all children are treated equal regardless of age, gender, culture, disability and difficulty. When children start with the childminder she asks parents to read and sign the policy and asks if the child has any requirements or any thing she should know. This helps children to settle and meets their needs and those of the parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has had experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities, through her work at a nursery and would adapt this experience into her own home. She is fully aware of the importance of working closely with parents and other agencies. However, she has not devised a policy for parents to explain how she cares for children with any learning difficulties and disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive daily feedback and now have the opportunity to look at the children's profiles. The childminder gives all parents a pack, containing all her policies and procedures, information about herself and family and also a complete complaint procedure with numbers of contact. She also completes registration forms, with all contact numbers on and other relevant information. All documentation is reviewed regularly to ensure up to date information is accessible.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder's behaviour policy explains how any concerns she may have are dealt with and she ensures that the parents agree with her behaviour procedures. She explains to the parents how she always talks to the children and explains why the behaviour is unacceptable. The childminder feels that as a good role model herself, this encourages children's positive behaviour. Children are aware of being polite, sharing and taking turns, this ensures that children are well behaved and are cared for in a happy environment.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised and efficient in all aspects of her provision. The children are welcomed into a safe and very well resourced environment that benefits their well-being. This enables the children to be confident and happy, to initiate their play and learning, and to develop accordingly.

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Organisation

The childminder has additional qualifications and regularly updates her training to increase her knowledge and understanding of the National Standards. For example, she has completed a level 3 qualification in childcare and attended health and hygiene, first aid, valuing diversity and Local Safeguarding Children Board training courses. She always makes sure that all her training and experience is implemented into the care that she provides to both the children and to their parents.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps all documentation up to date and completes them in a confidential manner. For example, registration forms have all relevant information gathered and registers are completed showing daily times of arrival and departure of each child. She ensures that all visitors have their identification checked to ensure children are kept safe whilst in her care. The childminder displays her registration certificate and her insurance for parents and visitors to see.

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Organisation

The childminder cares for children overnight and all requirements are met, for example, listening monitors, safety within the bedrooms, bedtime routines and correct contact and medical needs. This ensures that children cared for overnight are in a safe and caring environment.

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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 increase the range of toys available for children aged two to five years. The childminder has a very good range of toys for this age including books, jigsaws, dressing up, role play, varied creative activities, a computer and outdoor toys. These are all easily accessible and children are allowed to choose what they wish to play with. The very good range of toys available, ensures that children's stages of development for this age are fully met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 complaint 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): • develop a policy on caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities.

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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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