Leeds Christian School of Excellence

Inspection report for early years provision

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140038 Unique Reference Number 17 December 2007 Inspection date Sandra Patricia Jeffrey 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 1998. She lives with her husband and two adult sons, in the Borough of Lambeth. They live in a four bed-room, semi-detached house. The whole of the ground floor, with the exception of the dining room, is used for childminding. The conservatory and large kitchen are the main areas used for play. The lounge is used for quiet activities such as book reading and watching the television. There is also a fully enclosed garden available for outside play during fine weather.

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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 had five children on roll at the time of the inspection. One of whom was present during the inspection visit. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends local parent and toddler groups. The family have a pet dog and canary. 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. Young children are cared for in a clean and comfortable environment where they are beginning to learn the importance of personal hygiene. They receive appropriate support to develop their personal care, for example, they are all supplied with an individual flannel and towel to use when washing their hands and faces, before and after meals. This helps to reduce the risk of cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder can respond promptly to minor accidents or injuries because she has an up to date first aid certificate and has obtained written parental permission in relation to emergency treatment. This safeguards children's health and welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents know from discussion and the written policies and procedures, that they should not bring their children to the childminder if they are unwell, which helps to prevent the unnecessary spread of infection. Children's health is further protected because the childminder is happy, with parental consent, to give minded children medication if required. Medication records are well maintained and are signed by the parents. This fosters good practice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy meals and snacks that the childminder provides. The childminder discusses children's dietary needs with the parents, to ensure that she is aware of any allergies or special requirements, including religious requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

She provides the children with a balanced diet and endeavours to make meals appealing to all children in her care, encouraging them to make their own pancakes for example, and by bright presentation of 'rainbow' coloured vegetables. This helps the children to develop healthy eating habits and supports a healthy way of living.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy a variety of daily physical activities, which includes attending local toddler groups, where they can enjoy using large play equipment in a safe and secure environment, walking the dog and playing in the garden. The childminder described a good understanding of the benefits of visiting other environments with the minded children to broaden their experiences and to ensure the children's physical developmental skills are extended.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Minded children benefit from playing in a welcoming and well-organised environment. This allows them to move around and play safely. They have access to a good range of suitable toys and resources that are made easily accessible to them, mainly in the conservatory. This helps to make the children feel at home in the setting and encourages them to make choices and decisions for themselves. Close supervision by the childminder enables young children to play safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children enjoy helping the childminder to maintain the toys in a good state of repair, when they have 'washing days', where the toy cars are washed in the garden. A fun, innovative way to involve the children in the maintenance of the resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are also encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety, they are reminded of the importance of holding hands or the buggy when out and of not running off when visiting

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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 the park. The premises, including the garden, are secure and there are good procedures in place to prevent the children from leaving unsupervised. These precautions promote the children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are also kept safe by the effective fire safety precautions that the childminder has ensured are in place, including the presence of three smoke alarms. An emergency evacuation procedure is displayed in the kitchen and the children take part in regular emergency evacuation practises with the childminder, who warns them of the dangers of fire. This helps children become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and knows how to proceed if she has concerns about a child in her care. The childminder has a written policy in line with the Safeguarding Children procedures, this supports children’s wellbeing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young children are happy and confident in the childminder's home. The childminder ensures she has obtained good knowledge of the children she cares for and has a daily routine, which enables young children to feel secure and comfortable. Children make themselves at home and have a warm and secure relationship with the childminder. They receive lots of affection from her and they respond well to the attention given to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a good range of activities that are stimulating and well balanced for all ages. Some activities are planned, including making pancakes, art and craft and painting. Others, children can independently select, from the resources that are made easily accessible, including dressing up, role play and 'cooking for the dolls' with play dough. A good balance of adult and child initiated activities help children to make progress in their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children also benefit from weekly trips to various toddler groups, 'rainbow tot's', other childminders' homes and other places of interest. A varied balance of indoor and outdoor activities helps children to make progress in their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder celebrates the children's achievements and shares these with the parents. For example, children are taught how to hold and use scissors correctly and to use cutlery when eating. The childminder demonstrated good understanding of meeting young children's needs and is aware they all have different levels of ability. Young children respond well to the attention given to them and are happy and content in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into the setting and valued as individuals. The childminder finds out about their individual needs before they start and ensures that these needs are respected. The childminder cares for children for whom English is an additional language and has learnt a few key words in several different languages to ensure that she can meet the children's individual needs effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children begin to develop a positive awareness of other races, cultures and abilities through a suitable selection of resources and activities. The children have access to books and puzzles

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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 portraying people from different cultures and backgrounds. These give children opportunities to gain an insight into our multicultural society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder does not have any experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities but displayed a positive attitude to caring for children with such needs. Children with minor medical needs have been cared for by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Appropriate strategies, according to the age and stage of development, are in place to help young children understand right from wrong. Children are spoken to if they misbehave or are unkind to each other, and are given time out if necessary.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. Parents provide relevant information about their children to the childminder when they start, this helps to ensure children receive individual care and attention. The childminder, however, still uses forms designed by the previous regulator which may lead to some confusion for the parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Regular informal discussions help to ensure continuity of care for the children. Copies of written policies and procedures, used by the childminder in her daily routine, are made available to the parents to enable them to be aware of all aspects of the service provided. This fosters good working relationships with the parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is aware of recent changes in legal requirements in relation to complaints and investigations and has provided parents with the details of the procedure to follow if they have any cause for concern about the service or the care of their children. However, the telephone number included was out of date which may have lead to confusion for the parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a clear understanding of her role in supporting young children in their play and learning. The children benefit from a well-organised environment where they receive good adult support which helps them feel secure and confident.

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Organisation

Most of the documents required to promote the health, safety and welfare of the children are in place, although the complaints procedure contains incorrect contact details and the forms used to gather additional information on the children originate from the previous regulator. These issues have some implications on the effectiveness of the organisation.

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Organisation

Comprehensive policies and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice. This ensures children's needs are generally well met. Written information kept about the children is treated in a sensitive and confidential manner. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

During the previous inspection, the childminder was asked to extend the policies and procedures, to provide full information to parents. The parents now have access to a folder containing well written policies and procedures to enable them to be kept informed about all aspects of the running of the service. This supports good working relationships with the parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also required to make sure that the premises are secure and that children are unable to leave them unsupervised. The childminder has now installed a chain on the front

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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 door, ensuring that children cannot leave the premises unsupervised. This promotes the safety of the 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. 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 then 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): • update the complaints policy to reflect the correct contact details for Ofsted • improve record keeping: - update the forms used for obtaining additional information from the parents.

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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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