Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY358561 Unique Reference Number 10 April 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 2007. She lives with her husband and three children, aged nine, eight and six in Guiseley, a suburb of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom of the property are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and currently has six children on roll, all on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local toddler groups and the local childminding group. The family has a dog, a cat and a hamster.

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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 good. The children stay healthy through the childminder providing nutritious snacks and meals. For example, children have raisins, fruit, fresh vegetables and meat, all of which is home cooked daily. Children have access to drinks and their own cups throughout the day. Children can choose between water, milk and juice depending on both their needs and the parents' wishes. The childminder has menus that she shows to parents and records on the child's individual daily sheets what they have had to eat throughout there day. All dietary needs and requirements are met through the completing of detailed registration forms when the children first start with her. This ensures all children's needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder encourages all children to wash their hands with anti-bacterial gel as well as them having their own individual flannels which are changed daily. The childminder has a dog, which has a separately fenced off outdoor area for toileting and if the children stroke the dog or cat, she immediately cleans their hands. This ensures that children are cared for in a hygienic environment.

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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 policy she has is shown to and discussed with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a medication and accident policy, which are read by parents. She has books to record the giving of medication and any accidents. Most are completed correctly, however, some medication requests have not been signed by the parent and a copy has not been given to them. The childminder has attended a first aid course. She has two first aid boxes; one, which is locked, is kept in the kitchen and another is readily available for outings and minor accidents. The contents are checked regularly to ensure they contain the required contents and they are not out of date.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a checklist for cleaning and checking toys, this is done daily and any findings recorded and dealt with appropriately. This provides children with clean and safe toys and equipment whilst in the care of the childminder. The children can rest or sleep in a travel cot and on a settee depending on the child'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 daily walks as at the present she is unable to use her outdoor area. The children go with the childminder to the field behind her house and take footballs, push alongs and bicycles on a regular basis. This ensures that children develop their physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has attended training on the Early Years Foundation Stage and has researched Birth to three information and with this has a policy relating to under three-year-olds. She has a written nappy procedure, where she wipes the mat before and after use and then cleans her and the child's hands. Younger children's food is pureed if required and she discusses with parents any specific requirements. These are recorded. The childminder feels that the experience of bringing up her own children and working closely with parents helps her in the care of younger children.

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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

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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 informative posters on display, giving the home a child friendly environment. The areas used are spacious and well planned. The children have access to a dining area, lounge, large kitchen and an outdoor area. However, at present the outdoor area is unsafe for children to access.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children of all ages can access a wide range of appropriate toys in the dining area. The childminder has a good range of equipment for younger children. For example, a double buggy, travel cot, small chairs and feeding chairs. All these are checked for safety regularly and this is recorded in the risk assessment sheets that are completed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is safety conscious in all areas. She locks the doors and has the keys to hand, asks visitors to show identity prior to entering and has all relevant documentation. For example, a fire evacuation plan is displayed and detailed fire drills are practised and recorded. The childminder has a written outings policy, which is shown to and signed by parents prior to taking children on visits, either walking or using public transport. The childminder has policies for uncollected and lost children, which parents are asked to read and sign before the childminder starts caring for their children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has very good knowledge and understanding of child protection. This was gained through the introductory course she has attended and she is keen to attend more training in this area. The childminder has researched this area and obtained lots of useful information, which she has to hand. She has written policies, which includes any allegations against her and her family. All contact numbers and procedures are available to show parents, and the childminder is aware of the importance of working with parents and other agencies. The childminder ensures the children's care and welfare is paramount whilst in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children are extremely happy, relaxed and thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and her family. The children relate well to each other and are able to extend their social, physical and learning skills through regular visits to groups in the community and further afield. For example, they visit local parks, childminding groups, local farms and places of interest and trips on public transport. 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

The children are eager and keen to participate. The childminder is sensitive to their individual needs and offers a flexible child-led approach to the activities and resources they want to access. For example, the childminder encourages all children to self choose activities. The childminder skilfully adapts what she offers to ensure all the children take part. For example, photographs displayed of all children involved in the activity of playing with corn flour and baking.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children play very well together, with interaction from the childminder when appropriate. For example, children are keen to read a book and together with the childminder do the appropriate actions in response to the childminder. This fosters the children's listening skills and helps them recognise things that are familiar to them.

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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 There are photographs displayed in each child's book showing them having lots of fun playing with construction, baking and on visits within the local community and further a field. This ensures that children are developing their various skills in a highly stimulating, enjoyable and fun environment.

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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 evident within the ages of the children present. Children communicate with confidence to the childminder and to visitors expressing their enjoyment through their vibrant characters. For example, the childminder, sat on the floor with children building a farm and children are very enthusiastic to talk to all adults present about the animals and where they live.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has excellent knowledge and understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and inputs her extended knowledge into the younger children's activities and equipment. For example, the babies have lots of interesting and challenging toys and activities, such as books of varying sizes, shape sorters, push a long toys and baby gyms. This ensures younger children's development extends through all of their different stages as they grow. The childminder plans daily activities and profiles on all children, covering all area of learning. She has implemented the new Early Years Foundation Stage and Birth to three information, which the childminder has obtained through research and recent training. This ensures that children develop according to their age and stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder offers the children a vast range of meaningful resources and activities that promote a positive insight of the wider world and an awareness of differences and enhances all aspects of diversity. For example, the children celebrate a wide selection of festivals and access a vibrant range of resources available, depicting all areas of equal opportunities. 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 an excellent 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. The childminder is an excellent role model for behaviour and children are well mannered and behave in an exemplary manner. Older children have devised their own house rules, which are displayed to remind them of the rules. For example, no bullying, being kind to each other, no jumping on furniture and saying please and thank you.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder does not care for any children at present with learning difficulties or disabilities. However, she would care for children with any concerns, if she could meet their needs and also those of the parents. The childminder researches the disability or difficulty to accommodate the child's needs. She is aware of the importance of working with parents and other agencies closely to fulfil the child's and parents needs. The childminder has a meticulously detailed policy and procedure that she shares with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are constantly high, which contributes to the children's well-being. Parents' views are valued and they are encouraged to visit the childminder before the child

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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 starts, so that they can make an informed choice of the care offered. Daily diaries are used to share information regularly and effectively with parents, as are detailed profiles of each child which contain photographs of activities that the children have participated in. There are policies and procedures in place which extend the information on the support and care provided. Contracts of agreement are used effectively and reviewed regularly. The childminder has lots of the children's work displayed for parents. She also displays her certificate of registration along with a robust complaint procedure of which, along with all policies and procedures, parents are made aware of. This ensures that both parents and children's needs are met through the professional approach of the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has attended an introduction to childminding course, a first aid course and the Early Years Foundation Stage training course. The childminder, would attend further training to continue to give children and parents a professional and caring provision. For example, she is involved in the local childminding group where she can access both training courses and advice.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps all documentation and all is completed accurately, kept in a confidential manner and easily accessible for parents and inspections. She keeps all documentation for a period of over 10 years.

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Organisation

The childminder displays 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 and has done so recently.

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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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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): • ensure all medication procedures are followed and parents notified • ensure the outdoor area is safe for children to access.

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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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