Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY272970 Unique Reference Number 01 November 2007 Inspection date Alison Margaret Walker 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 2003. She lives with her husband their three children aged nine, 16 and 20 years in Burmantofts, an area of Leeds. The whole of ground floor is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding 12 children aged between one year and 12 years on both a part time and full time basis. The childminder walks to the local schools and playgroup to take and collect children. She attends a local carer and toddler group on regular basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are provided with drinks throughout the day and these are easily accessible to them. When a young child wakes the childminder offers them a drink. Older children are able to access drinks independently. The children receive a good range of healthy meals and nutritious snacks.

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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 The childminder feels it is very important that children have breakfast before they go to school. She provides them with cereals, boiled eggs and toast. Other meals include chicken stew, tuna and pasta, jacket potatoes, sandwiches, fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder is fully aware of individual dietary requirements and preferences which are discussed in full with parents prior to placement and are catered for sensitively.

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Helping children to be healthy

Good arrangements are in place for first aid and administering medication. The childminder keeps her first aid training up to date. There is a fully stocked first aid kit available in the kitchen and also a separate one which is taken on outings. Policies are in place regarding sickness, accidents and administration of medicines. These are fully implemented and signed by parents. Medication records are accurately kept. Children stay healthy because the childminder practices good hygiene with them. She explains to them about the importance of washing their hands. She wears disposable plastic gloves for nappy changing to prevent the risk of cross infection. The childminder has a downstairs cloakroom where there is soap and hand towel which is laundered daily. There are plenty of opportunities for the children to access fresh air and exercise. They regularly walk to the local park and playing fields where they are able to run,

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Helping children to be healthy

walk, skip, jump and play on physical equipment, such as a climbing frame. Children are able to rest and sleep comfortably according to their needs, routines and their parents' wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe environment. There is good evidence of children’s play and creative activity. The children enjoy attending very much, they settle well and are happy and confident. Space is used constructively and activities are well organised. There is suitable low-level storage so children can see what is available. They have access to a wide selection of age appropriate toys, furniture and equipment which are safe and well maintained ensuring that the needs of all the children attending are fully met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes thorough steps to ensure the children's safety inside her home. All electric sockets are covered, doors are kept secure and a fire blanket is sited in the kitchen. The fire evacuation procedure is practised with the children on a regular basis. The childminder has contact details for the children close to hand so she can access these in the event of an emergency. These are also taken on outings. The children are protected from persons who have not been vetted as they are closely supervised at all times by the childminder. She works with an assistant to ensure adult child ratios are maintained at all times. The childminder's policies, procedures and documentation are in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She has done several training courses and demonstrates sound understanding of child protection procedures in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are developing their confidence and self-esteem well. A range of stimulating activities are provided that are age appropriate, challenging and interesting. They acquire new skills in an enjoyable way from an early age. For example, they can hold a paint brush to mark make, hold a two handled cup and a book. Young children confidently says key words, such as bye bye, mama and daddy. The child enjoys playing with musical instruments, dancing and developing a sense of rhythm. Children enjoy exploring different textures, such as bubbles, shaving foam and dough.

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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 Children relate very well to the childminder and they are relaxed in her care. She gives them plenty of praise and encouragement and sits at their level showing a very keen interest in their play. She continues to develop the range of activities she provides by visiting a local children's centre to get new ideas, and by borrowing resources from a toy library, giving the children a broad range of experiences. The childminder is motivated and enhances the children's learning in all areas of their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Partnership with parents is good. The childminder offers a flexible service to fit in with parents work patterns. She works closely with all parents to meet children’s individual needs, such as dietary requirements, sleep patterns and administration of medication. Detailed information is collected on the children, their families, likes, dislikes, religion and health history. This is regularly updated with parents. Comprehensive information is shared to prospective parents, for example, the registration certificate, samples of the children's work and letters from parents praising the care offered by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing a very good understanding of responsible behaviour. They are encouraged to be polite, to share, be kind to each other and are praised for doing so. They gain awareness of their local environment and the diversity of the wider world through a suitable selection of resources and activities that promote positive images. For example, role play, books, jigsaws and dolls, however, resources to reflect disability are a little limited. Children are fully included in all activities and receive ongoing support and encouragement from the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are happy, settled and confident. This is because the childminder ensures the children have consistent routines. She uses her time, space and resources appropriately to create a stimulating, interesting and safe environment for the children. The children are closely supervised by the childminder at all times. The childminder is fully aware of all legal requirements. For example, she displays her registration certificate and ensures checks have been carried on all household members over the age of 16 years. The childminder is committed to keeping up to date with relevant initiatives relating to her childminding to enhance her practice. For example, she has recently attended training on the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Organisation

All the required documentation is in place and this contributes to the effective management of the childminding service she provides. All information on the children is stored confidentially but easily accessible if needed in an emergency. This is regularly shared with parents and updated. 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 a recommendation was raised for the childminder to ensure that children have an appropriate range of resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder has attended training on diversity and has extended her resources to develop children's knowledge and understanding of the wider world. Such as different dressing up clothes and doing activities about different festivals. However, resources to reflect disability are limited.

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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

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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): • continue to further develop resources to promote equality of opportunity.

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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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