Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY251006 Unique Reference Number 14 February 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 2003. She lives with her two children aged 12 and nine years, in the Gledhow area of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available 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 and currently has 12 children on roll. Children attend mainly on a part time basis. There are currently seven children over eight years of age. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and visits local places of interest in the community and further a field.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a qualified teacher and a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children are made aware of positive hygiene practices through the effective hygiene routines and facilities provided. They have access to towels, individual beakers, and lots of literature

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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 about the importance of washing hands and to eat healthily. There is ongoing monitoring of equipment and toys to ensure that they are kept clean and safe. This ensures that children are in a healthy and hygienic environment. There are clear details in the care and exclusion of sick and ill children to prevent cross-infection. The childminder has medication and accident records, and all these are completed correctly and kept confidentially.

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Helping children to be healthy

All children have access to regular drinks and are aware of the importance of drinking throughout the day. The childminder offers a variety of healthy, nutritious meals and snacks for the children. For example, the childminder uses fresh vegetables, fresh meat, pasta and all is home cooked. The childminder asks parents if the children have any likes, dislikes, dietary and religious needs and this is recorded. Children are also encouraged to help prepare meals and set the table for meal and snack times. This ensures that children learn about healthy eating and that meal times are a social part of the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are provided with a good range of activities, both in the home and outside, that promote their well-being. There are daily activities that support and develop the children's physical needs. For example, the children have daily walks to parks, mountain walking, to schools, do gymnastics in the home and can access balls, bicycles, swings and bats in the rear outdoor play area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in an environment which offers a well planned area, with good facilities to actively meet the children's needs in a positive manner. The childminder has a good understanding of safety both in the home and outside. For example, the childminder has safety gates, she regularly practises and records fire drills, tests both smoke alarms and all sharp implements are out of reach of children. She takes all positive steps with the children to promote safety and prevent accidents in their play, through safe access to the resources. The children have a good awareness of the safety limits, which ensures that they have the freedom to take risks, whilst learning effectively of dangers and ways to protect themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are encouraged to develop their independence through accessing the toys, activities and exploring their surroundings. Risks are carefully assessed to reduce potential hazards and the childminder has written risk assessments which are evaluated daily and recorded. The quality and range of toys and equipment are extremely good and appropriate to the ages and levels of children's development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected by the childminder who has a good understanding of child protection. However, training attended by the childminder in Safeguarding of children is limited. The childminder has all contact numbers written down in case of any concerns and parents are informed of the procedure through the written policy in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children are extremely happy and relaxed and they thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and her family. The children relate well to each other and they are able to extend their social, physical and learning skills through regular visits to groups in the community. For example, they visit local parks, walks up small mountains, swimming baths and museums. These provide the children with an excellent range of experiences and challenges in interesting settings.

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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 eager to participate. The childminder is sensitive to their individual needs and offers a flexible child-led approach to the activities and resources that they want to access. She skilfully adapts what she offers to ensure that all the children take part. This enables the younger children to be involved in a variety of creative resources and they experience tactile and sensory materials. For example, children can play with painting, dressing up and musical instruments. The children sit with each other and use building bricks of different sizes to create houses. The childminder interacts with the children to read a book, which fosters their listening skills and helps them to recognise things that are familiar to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a excellent understanding of the stepping stones and how she can adapt this into the new framework. She does individual profiles on the children, encourages younger children to do worksheets whilst older ones do their homework. The childminder explained that the children are given free choice, during the holidays and after school with what activities they wish to do. This ensures that children are in a fun and extremely enjoyable environment. The childminder displays the children's work around the house along with informative posters about bird watching, the alphabet and times table. This makes the environment very child friendly as all posters and their own work is at the children's height.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are positive, caring relationships established, which promotes children's confidence and communication skills. The children develop a strong sense of self, which is particularly evident with the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder offers the children a good range of resources and activities that promote an insight of the wider world and awareness of differences. For example, the children celebrate festivals and access a range of resources available, depicting all areas of equal opportunities. The children had just celebrated the Chinese New Year by making face masks of rats and also finding out what animal their birthday is, in connection with Chinese culture. Children also explore the local community through visits to museums and places of interest. This ensures children are made aware of the wider world and areas around them. The children have regular access to the community which supports her approach. The childminder takes account of all the children's individual needs and this is shared with parents to ensure that they are continually met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour is managed in a caring and sensitive way, which ensures that the children have a good awareness of the boundaries in place, as the childminder is consistent in her approach. The children learn to negotiate and take responsibility for their behaviour. Children share and take turns and care for each other by ensuring that the toys they play with are safe and suitable. The children are encouraged to make choices in their play and develop their independence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are good relationships with parents which contribute to the children's well-being. Parent's views are valued and they are encouraged to visit the childminder before the child starts, so that they can make an informed choice in the care offered. The childminder does observations on each child, along with half yearly and end of year reports. These are all shared with parents and there comments recorded. Parents also receive and can give daily feedback, this ensures that all information is shared regularly. There are policies and procedures in place which extend the information on the support and care provided, including a complaint procedure that meets with the new regulation. The childminder has a good prospectus which includes all relevant information, including the policies and procedures, which are given to parents to read and sign.

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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 Contracts of agreements are used effectively and reviewed regularly. The childminder has a notice board where she displays her registration certificate and insurance for parents to see. This ensures that parents needs for their children are met.

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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 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

There are policies and procedures in place that support the quality of the childminding offered; all documents and records are kept and stored securely and maintain confidentiality.

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Organisation

The childminder is consistently attending training to enhance her skills and knowledge in most areas of childcare. For example, she has already attended the Early Years Foundation Stage course, Introduction to Childcare Practice, first aid and is completing further relevant training. She has received a lot of advice and support from other childminders, which she has accepted. She maintains a professional approach to her role as a childminder.

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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 make the following improvements.

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Improvements since the last inspection

To make sure a record is maintained and signed by all parents of any accidents. The childminder has written accident forms and these are signed by parents and the form is then placed in the child's individual registration form. She also has a written accident and medication policy which parents are asked to read and sign.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She was asked also to make sure reasonable steps are taken to ensure that hazards to children on the premises are minimised (access to first floor and sharp knives in low draws).The childminder has a fitted safety gate at the bottom of the stairs and she has moved all sharp and dangerous knives to a high cupboard that children cannot reach

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to obtain written permission from all parents before administering medication to children. She has written permission from parents as to when they are to be given any medication and also for the childminder to administer emergency treatment if required.

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Improvements since the last inspection

All of these improvements ensure children are cared for in a safe and caring environment.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last 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): • enhance knowledge and understanding of Safe guarding children training.

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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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