Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY349201 Unique Reference Number 30 April 2008 Inspection date Abigail Caroline Cunningham 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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and four years in Seacroft, Leeds. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house, the first floor bathroom and one first floor bedroom are used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years all day, and one child over five years before and after school. The family has a dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's nutritional needs are well met because the childminder is fully aware of individual requirements, which are discussed in full with parents. The children receive a good range of healthy and nutritious light meals, such as assorted sandwiches, yogurt and fruit. The childminder treats mealtimes as an opportunity to help children enjoy their food and become independent in feeding themselves. Young children have many opportunities to feed themselves using fingers and spoons.

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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 effectively recognises the signs of tiredness in young children. Children’s individual sleep and rest patterns are well met and they sleep in accordance to their home routine and parents' wishes.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy physical activity, such as playing outside, walking to school and going out on trips to the park, farm and soft play centres. The children have regular opportunities to play with equipment that promotes physical development, such as a trampoline, wheeled vehicles, bats and balls.

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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 a clean and welcoming home. Space is used constructively and activities are well organised and attractively set out. The children have access to a good range of age-appropriate toys, furniture and equipment to effectively meet their needs, such as books, arts and craft materials, jigsaws, games and dressing up. Resources which are made from natural materials are limited, as most of the childminder's toys are made from materials such as plastic.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a home where all risks are identified and minimised; for example, socket covers and safety gates are in place. The system for managing access to the premises is good as unauthorised persons are unable to gain entry. This is because the exterior doors are kept locked at all times and all visitors have to knock on the door to gain entry. Therefore, the children are kept safe and free from harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A fire escape plan is available and is practised regularly with the children to ensure that all children are familiar with the routine. Potential fire hazards are identified and made safe, for example, the fire is fitted with a fireguard and a fire blanket is sited in the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has attended child protection training and knows what the different types of abuse are, the possible signs and symptoms and the reporting procedure. She also has local child protection contact details.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder knows the children and their families very well. She is fully aware of each child's personal circumstances and individual needs. The children have warm relationships with the childminder. This is because the childminder gives the children lots of positive time, attention, praise and encouragement, for example, while setting up and playing with the train track.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are cared for in a well organised home where there are consistent daily routines for eating, resting, playing and going out, which helps the children feel secure and enjoy their day. As a result, the children are very happy and settled. They confidently assert their own needs and preferences; for example, they choose which toys they want to play with.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder effectively plans an interesting range of activities for the children. As a result, the children are involved in a good range of interesting and enjoyable activities both inside and outside the home, such as visiting the local library and toddler groups. The children make good progress in all aspects of their development. For example, one young child can successfully

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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 count from one to 14, can correctly name some colours and can use mathematical language during play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder recognises the importance of working in partnership with parents to help identify and meet the children's needs. She discusses all aspects of practice with parents during initial meetings and also shares all her policies and procedures with them. A complaints procedure is in place which includes the contact number of the regulator. The childminder enjoys communicating with others and, as a result, parents are kept fully informed about their child through daily discussions and the completion of a daily diary.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages children’s behaviour positively and consistently and according to the child’s level of understanding and maturity. For example, as a reward for good behaviour she gives the children stickers as well as lots of praise and encouragement. As a result, the children are very well behaved; for example, the children use good manners, share and are cooperative with routines.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is fully aware of all the legal requirements. For example, she displays her registration certificate and public liability insurance. All policies and procedures are individual to the setting, comprehensive and fully support the childminder's practice.

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Organisation

The childminder has a positive and professional attitude and is committed to improvement. For example, she has recently completed a speech and language workshop in order to increase her knowledge and understanding, so that she is able to meet the children's individual needs. She is also booked to attend Early Year Foundation Stage training. 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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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): • increase the range of resources which are made from natural materials.

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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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