Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY346555 Unique Reference Number 13 May 2008 Inspection date Linda Filewood 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 satisfactory. 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 2007. She lives with her husband and three children aged six, four and two years, in Chapel Allerton, Leeds. The whole ground floor, first floor front bedroom and bathroom of the childminder’s house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to work with an assistant.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time when minding on her own and six children when working with an assistant. She is currently minding one child on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 satisfactory. Children’s health is generally suitably promoted. Good standards of hygiene in the home help to keep children well and they are beginning to learn about good personal hygiene. The childminder obtains relevant information from their parents on home routines and dietary requirements to ensure she meets their particular needs. The childminder has attended paediatric first aid training so she is able to respond appropriately to help children in the event of an accident. A record is maintained, and signed by parents, of any accidents the children have, but the treatment given is not recorded. Written parental permission is obtained for the giving of basic first aid treatment. This does not sufficiently cover any emergency advice or medical treatment, should it be required. A written agreement from the parents is obtained at the time of placement to allow the childminder to give non-prescription medication. Any medication

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Helping children to be healthy

given is recorded but parents are not contacted prior to administering non-prescriptive medication to check details, such as when the last dose was given. This puts children's health at risk.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of freshly prepared meals and snacks that promote healthy eating. The childminder understands children's preferences and prepares meals using fresh produce, whenever possible. For example, vegetables accompany all meals and children choose from a selection of fresh fruit. Children sit together to enjoy their meal and drinks are frequently offered to them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have the opportunity for plenty of fresh air when they visit the local parks and on their daily trips to playgroup and school. The childminder is now able to use the garden at her premises and equipment, such as swings, wheeled vehicles and a play house are available for children to enjoy. When children are tired they sleep in a travel cot in a quiet room for undisturbed rest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s safety is satisfactorily promoted. The childminder has a clear understanding of how to minimise risks in her home. For example, a fireguard is in place around the hearth and a safety gate prevents children from accessing the first floor. The childminder ensures her home is secure so children cannot leave without supervision and unauthorised persons cannot gain entry. The garden is now available for use, but the childminder has not yet carried out a risk assessment. Children are learning how to be safe. They practise the emergency evacuation plan so that they know how to keep themselves safe in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in a warm and welcoming family home. The wide range of equipment is well presented and very easily accessible for children. This enables children to make their own choices in their play and helps to promote their independence and self-esteem. Children move freely and safely around the areas used for childminding. They are reminded to help tidy up and of the need to have space to play comfortably.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected should safeguarding issues arise, as the childminder is clear about her role in child protection. She demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of the signs that would alert her to a concern and has attended training to enhance her knowledge of the issues involved.

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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 childminder understands the correct procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child’s safety and welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s welfare and individual needs are suitably met because the childminder provides the appropriate support children need to make progress in all areas of their development. They enjoy warm relationships with the childminder. Children are well settled and comfortable in the childminder's home. She offers them good encouragement and praise, raising their levels of self-esteem and confidence. Children relate well to music and thoroughly enjoy dancing, rhymes and action songs. The childminder sings with them to enhance their play and the children respond well to her positive interaction. The children make many of their own choices from the ample resources that are easily within their reach and readily accessible.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children enjoy meeting people at other local childminding and toddler sessions. This enables them to develop their social skills. Trips to the park, swimming lessons and visiting local places of interest, extend the variety of positive experiences for the children. Children’s art work is displayed in individual scrap books, although most of their creative development is promoted through messy play and craft activities at the toddler groups. The childminder promotes the children's language development well and gives good support to their emerging conversational skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder recognises that children have differing requirements and discusses these with parents before their children start attending. This provides children with continuity in their care and gives parents confidence that their children are being well looked after. All children are treated with equal concern. The childminder has a positive approach to equal opportunities and there are sufficient resources available to promote children's understanding of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour management is clearly understood and managed in a calm and consistent way. The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of appropriate strategies which can be used effectively for children in varying age groups. Good behaviour and manners are valued. The childminder praises positive behaviour which supports the children and helps them learn right from wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works well with parents. She communicates verbally with them, sharing information on a regular basis, in order to ensure their children's individual needs are met. Children's daily activities are recorded in a diary which parents have access to. The childminder shares her policies and procedures with parents at the time of placement to inform them about the service she offers. However, her written complaints policy does not include full details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint or the timescale for resolving complaints. The childminder arranges meetings with new parents before children start attending to establish good relationships with them.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder provides a satisfactory standard of care in a welcoming environment for all children. Children have free and safe access to ample resources and appropriate areas for their play, rest and meals. There is a secure routine in place for children's care, learning and play, in which children are happy and settled. Children enjoy a variety of activities indoors and outdoors and time is allowed for them to rest as well as be active. Their needs are appropriately met and they receive good levels of attention and support from the childminder. Children benefit from a suitably qualified carer as the childminder has completed the initially required relevant training. She has also attended further training to prepare her for the forthcoming changes to childcare provision.

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Organisation

The childminder effectively uses a sufficient range of policies and procedures to satisfactorily promote the welfare, care and safety of children. Most records, registers and parental permissions required for the efficient and safe management of the provision are in place and suitably maintained. Parents are informed that the childminder occasionally works with an assistant. Written permission is obtained from parents, but this does not clearly show that the assistant may be left in sole charge of the children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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 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 satisfactory. 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): • improve the recording of accidents involving children in the setting, to ensure that all the required detail is included • ensure that all details of medication administered are fully recorded, parents sign to acknowledge the entry and are kept informed at all times

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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 • conduct a risk assessment prior to using the garden for the first time with the children • provide parents with details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint, to include the timescale for resolving complaints • ensure written parental permissions clearly state that permission is given for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment and that the assistant may be left in sole charge of the children.

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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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