East Leeds Pupil Referral Unit

Inspection report for early years provision

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130333 Unique Reference Number 21 November 2007 Inspection date Sheila Harrison 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 registered in 1984. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and 14 years. They live in a house in north Watford that is close to local schools, shops and parks. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a secure garden including a large area of decking on which children play. The access from the garden is to a separate playroom for the children's use. The family keep a guinea pig, a rabbit, a tortoise and fish as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for six children aged under eight years and has three children on roll. She takes the children to activity groups for young children and makes regular visits to the library and other local amenities. She has an appropriate child care qualification, is registered with Children's, Schools and Families as a Community Childminder to provide emergency care for children and has obtained the Herts Quality Assurance Standard.

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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 very well-nourished as they are offered healthy snacks and freshly cooked nutritious meals. They enjoy their favourite foods including fruit and are encouraged to try new tastes. The childminder is aware of the children's individual dietary needs and has a wide range of information on different cultural and religious diets. She records the child’s food intake to ensure parents are well-informed of their diet. Allergies and food preferences are noted and respected. Mealtimes are social occasions and good manners are encouraged. Young children enjoy helping to lay the table. They discuss the benefits of a healthy diet and they develop an interest in good food as they grow, pick, prepare and eat their own vegetables. Children grow their own runner beans and tomatoes, and pick the cucumbers from the greenhouse. The childminder prepares a book of photographs of the progress of vegetables and the children as

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have extensive opportunities to learn about healthy living as they wash their hands after the toilet, before meals and after playing in the garden. The childminder sings simple rhymes to explain the value of hand washing to the children and there is suitable equipment so even young children can reach the wash hand basin. Children are well-protected from the spread of infection as they each choose their own towel from a range depicting favourite cartoon characters. The childminder ensures the younger children’s noses are frequently wiped to ensure their comfort. Children are well-protected after an accident as the childminder has sufficient first aid training and equipment. Contact numbers and permission for emergency medical treatment are easily to hand. A comprehensive sickness procedure and records of medication and accidents keeps parents informed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy substantial amounts of challenging and worthwhile physical exercise. They enjoy physical play in the garden with a wide range of exciting play materials which are suitably graded for their stage of development. This includes a mid-sized trampoline and parachute games. Children go out for a walk every day and play in the garden in most weathers. They have frequent trips to the park and indoor activity centres to play on the challenging play equipment. They bring appropriate clothing to be protected from the effects of the weather. The childminder has delightful photographs of the children all wrapped up and playing in the snow. During the summer the childminder ensures children have sufficient sun protection cream applied and stay away from the damaging heat of the sun. Children have rest and sleep according to their individual preferences and needs. Each child has their own individual bedding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have sufficient amounts of space to move freely inside. They play in the dining room, kitchen and a separate playroom with easy access to the garden. Great emphasis is given to making a comfortable and inviting environment where the children’s photographs, names and pictures are displayed at a low level. This ensures children feel valued and respected. The childminder has an extensive range of resources which are rotated to maintain and extend children’s interest. Children access a wide range of toys and games freely for themselves which are stored attractively at a low level.

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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’s safety and security is given the utmost priority by daily rigorous checks and risk assessments which ensure hazards to children are effectively minimised. There are secure collection procedures and the childminder ensures only authorised people collect the children. However, the fire blankets are not attached to a firm surface which will impede correct use of the equipment in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder assesses the risks of the trampoline and follows the manufacturer’s instructions. Parents give their permission and children follow the strict rules for the safe use of the equipment. For example, young children are only allowed onto the trampoline with the childminder and they use the equipment one at a time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe as they discuss road safety. The childminder frequently takes the children to a small parade of shops with several zebra crossings to allow them to learn to cross the roads safely. There are a suitable range of activity sheets to reinforce children’s understanding of road safety. The childminder has a secure emergency evacuation procedure and the children practise it regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded. The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues and is clear about her responsibility to report concerns. The childminder has the contact details for the local authority and a copy of ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused - summary’. Parents are informed of some of the reporting procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are eager to attend and relish their time with the childminder. They are fully occupied and concentrating with exciting tactile play. Young children mix cornflour and water using their fingers and a spoon. They see and feel the changes to the materials as they add more water and the childminder extends the experience by allowing the children to add different colours. They are animated and enthusiastic as they make choices about their activities and care. On a cold but bright day children express a wish to play with the sand outside. The childminder supports their decision by helping them by uncover the sand pit and they get out the spade and other tools.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become engrossed in a wide range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor activities which provide high levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children collect leaves and conkers on walks to the park and use these in their art work. They dip conkers in paint and roll them around on paper. Children can take their toys outside using the space to make complicated and large track ways for trains. Large pieces of paper are pinned to the fence for children to co-operate in large art works. These are displayed in the playroom. Their emerging speech is encouraged through the childminder’s sensitive interaction. She gently repeats the correct pronunciation of words during conversations and sings appropriate rhymes as the children play. Children have access to a wide range of exciting books. The childminder extends the children’s thinking as she encourages

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

them to talk about the pictures, asking them ‘how did that happen?’ Children are beginning to learn about the benefit of the written word as they frequently visit the library to chose and return books. They can see scripts from other languages as they often borrow dual language books. There are useful labels on furniture and toys.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s current stage of development is assessed as the childminder uses a developmental recording system and records their play in photographs. The childminder uses the information

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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 to move children to the next steps in their learning by using information from the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s individual needs are well-promoted as there is an excellent partnership between the childminder and parents. The childminder has provided a long term commitment to the families. There are effective communication systems to ensure parents are reassured about their children’s welfare. Daily diaries provide a wealth of information on the child’s day and development. This includes delightful photographs of the children at play. Parents are informed of the complaints procedure and discussions can take place immediately if the parent or childminder has any concerns. Children are developing an exceptional sense of belonging and a greater understanding of the lives of others as they take home ‘Travelling Teddy’ and his diary to complete on family occasions and outings. Their confidence grows as they greatly enjoy retelling the account with the childminder and the other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children individual needs are met very effectively as the childminder has a system in place to gather information from the parents regarding their physical and developmental needs. She has information on ‘baby signing' to support early speech patterns. She has a clear understanding of caring for children with disabilities and/or learning difficulties and she is a member of the local authority ‘community childminding scheme’. Children behave well as the childminder manages their behaviour positively and consistently. She praises and encourages them frequently and good manners are encouraged.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have many valuable chances to learn about the wider world. They celebrate traditional festivals and birthdays and acknowledge other peoples' festivals. Children are encouraged to feel valued and free from discrimination as the play materials reflect diversity and show positive images of boys and girls. Children are learning to care for other living things as they help in caring for the family pets. The childminder spots a large spider in the garden and encourages the children to observe it carefully before placing it out of harms way.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s care is enhanced by the childminders generally efficient organisation. All procedures are individual to the setting and work in practice. Children are protected as the childminder ensures all adults visiting the house have Criminal Record Bureau checks and are suitably supervised. However, Ofsted has not yet been informed of recent guests to the family home and this potentially limits the safe management of the children. Records are clear up to date, easily accessible and stored securely.

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Organisation

Children’s well-being is promoted by a knowledgeable childminder who has a professional child care qualification and she enhances her skills by frequently attending short courses and seminars on specific subjects. For example, ‘making my setting more inclusive’ and ‘Birth to three matters’ framework. Information from the courses is used to inform current routines. For example, observing and recording children’s development is linked to the aspects detailed within the framework. The childminder reflects on the practice and has achieved the Herts. Quality Assurance award. Overall children's needs are met.

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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 childminder agreed to review the safety in the home and to extend her understanding of child protection procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children’s welfare is promoted as the childminder undertakes regular safety checks, and knives and garden tools are out of reach. The children have suitable clear playing space to move freely around. The childminder has recently attended child protection training and has suitable information on reporting procedures.

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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 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): • ensure the fire blanket is attached to a firm surface to allow its correct operation • ensure that Ofsted is informed, at the earliest opportunity, of changes to the persons living at the premises.

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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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