Marriner, Judith

Inspection report for early years provision

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320076 Unique Reference Number 12 December 2007 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 1996. She lives with her husband and two adult children in the Moortown area of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor and an upstairs bedroom are used for childminding purposes. There is a 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 anyone time. She currently has 18 children on roll and of these seven are over eight years old. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She attends a local toddler group on a regular basis and is a member of the local childminding group.

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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 stay healthy through the childminder providing nutritious snacks and meals. For example, children have raisins, fruit, fresh vegetables and fish, all of which is home cooked daily. The childminder also provides breakfast for some children which includes crumpets, cereal, toast and bagels. Children have access to drinks throughout the day. All children have their own cups to drink from and one child brings their own drink. The childminder cares for several children who have dietary and religious requirements where food is required. She ensures that these are met through the completing of detailed registration forms.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder explains to parents verbally about her procedures. She encourages all children to wash their hands with soap and dry them with their own individual towels. The children explained that they always wash their hands before eating, after touching animals and going to the toilet and knew that this was done in order to prevent them being poorly.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a sickness procedure if children become ill whilst in her care, the children would be made comfortable and their parents contacted. This procedure along with the exclusion procedure is discussed with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a medication and accident procedures, which are read and signed by parents. She also has books to record the giving of medication and any accidents. All are completed correctly, signed and read by all parents, ensuring children are in a healthy and safe environment. The childminder has attended a first aid course in 2006. She has a first aid box situated in the hall and she always takes out with her on outings a smaller first aid kit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides children with clean and safe toys and equipment whilst in her care. The children can rest or sleep in a travel cot upstairs and on a settee depending on children's age and needs. The childminder ensures that clean sheets are provided for each individual child.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive daily physical play through going out for walks within the local community and in the outdoor area within the childminder's premises. The children can play outside with a good range of toys and activities that develop their physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has all the information on 'Birth to three matters' framework and has attended the training. However, she feels that the experience of bringing up her own children and working closely with parents helps her. She explained that younger children would get pureed food and she would always meet the parents wishes. The childminder has a procedure she follows when changing children's nappies which involves using a special hand gel, the wiping down of the changing mat before and afterwards and disposing of the nappy appropriately. This ensures that children's needs and parents' wishes are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is warm and welcoming with lots of the children's work and photographs displayed, giving the home a child friendly environment. The areas used are spacious and well planned. The children have access to a lounge, dining kitchen and a good outdoor area where they can run around safely.

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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 In the lounge children of all ages can access a good range of appropriate toys. The childminder has a good range of equipment for younger children. For example, a pushchair, travel cot, car seats and feeding chairs. All these are checked for safety regularly and this is recorded, and provides the younger children with suitable equipment, whilst at the childminder's.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is safety conscious in most areas, as she locks the doors and has the keys to hand, asks visitors to show identity prior to entering, has all relevant documentation and practises and records fire drills. The childminder has a fire guard and a fire blanket, however these are not properly secured. The childminder has written permission from parents to take children on outings in the car, walking or using public transport.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has knowledge and understanding of child protection, through the attending of training. She is in the process of accessing more training. The childminder has all the relevant information and contact numbers in case of emergency. She always explains the procedure to parents, her responsibilities to both herself, her family and those of the children she cares for. The childminder ensures the children's welfare is paramount at all times whilst in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a good selection of equipment, activities and toys for all ages and stages of a child's development. She encourages the children to access any toys they wish to play with which are stored in the a separate room, sometimes with her assistance. For example, children are seen to play with dolls, books, cars and soft toys. The childminder has lots of photographs of children doing various activities and going on outings within the local community.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a very good relationship with children and constantly joins in playing with the children and encouraging them to use their imagination. For example, she helps the children to choose dolls to play with and talks to them about what country the dolls come from. Older children make a scrap book about the activities that they have done when on holiday from school, using pictures and photographs that they have taken. The children are also encouraged to take turns with activities and to share. This develops the children's social and creative skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are given daily access to outdoor activities, both by going on walks within the community and visiting local amenities. The children have a good selection of toys and activities to play with outside in the childminders garden. For example, a slide, playhouse, balls, push alongs and a sand pit. The childminder visits the local library and also visits local childminding groups with the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder promotes the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She has all the relevant information, which she has read. She has a good selection of toys and activities for this age, for example, books suitable for babies, large piece jigsaws and sorting shape boxes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good selection of resources that reflect equal opportunities. For example, there are books, jigsaws, wooden toys, dolls and small world toys that depicts all areas. The childminder has celebrated Chinese New Year and Easter, and intends to celebrate many more. The childminder treats all children equally and verbally explains this to parents.

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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 The childminder has experience of working with children with learning disabilities or difficulties. The childminder is aware of the importance of working closely with parents and other outside agencies. For example, she has worked with the school, therapists, physiotherapists and health visitors. She also works closely with the parents ensuring that both the child's and parents needs are always met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a verbal procedure on behaviour management, which she talks to parents and asks them if they have any comments to make. She also explains the importance of them working together in this area to bring continuity to the children in regard to their behaviour. She uses distraction and explains to children why the behaviour is unacceptable. The childminder gives positive praise, for example, she says to children 'well done for sharing' 'thank you' and 'please'. Older children are also made aware of the house rules, for example, encouraging them to share, respect each other and the furniture and be polite. This encourages children to respect each other and with the childminder as a good role model children are well behaved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good relationships with all parents. For example, she gives daily feedback explaining what their child has done and what they have had to eat through the day. The childminder along with the older children's help do scrap books of photographs of the activities they have done during the holidays.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a complaint procedure, which is displayed for parents, which includes the address and contact numbers for them should they require it. The childminder has written agreements and contracts for each child with all the required information. For example, parent's contact numbers, addresses, permission for outings, medication, allergies and the taking of photographs. The childminder ensures confidentiality is maintained and encourages parents if they have any concerns to talk to her. She will do this at a separate time, on their own when it is convenient to both, ensuring it is dealt with in a confidential and professional manner.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder uses all of her downstairs area, a enclosed outdoor area and also an upstairs bedroom for children to sleep. She attends training through her local childminding group and has attended a first aid course, 'Birth to three matters' course. She is booked to attend the Early Years Foundation Stage training next year. The childminder, through the accessing of training provides a professional and caring service to the children whom she cares for.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps all documentation and all is completed accurately, however, some is not kept in a confidential manner. The childminder ensures that all documentation is easily accessible for parents and inspections.

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Organisation

She displays both her registration certificate, insurance and first aid certificate for parents to see. She is fully aware of the requirement to inform Ofsted of any changes to her circumstances.

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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 ensure the cats are kept off the kitchen work surface, where food is prepared. The childminder ensures the cats are always off the work surfaces, as they spend most of the time outside or upstairs whilst she is caring for children.

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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 She also wipes surfaces down prior to using them with an anti bacterial liquid. This ensures children are cared for in a healthy environment.

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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 complaint 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 all safety equipment is secure • ensure documentation is kept confidentially.

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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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