Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY360125 Unique Reference Number 16 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 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 two children aged 13 and 15 years in Seacroft, Leeds. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house and the first floor bathroom and front bedroom are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five all day, and two children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has two dogs. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children enjoy physical activity, such as playing outside, playing on the local playing fields, walking to school and going out on trips to the park. The children have regular opportunities to play with equipment that promotes physical development, such as a trampoline, wheeled vehicles and threading beads.

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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 Successful methods for promoting personal hygiene are used. For example, the childminder encourages the children to wash their hands before meals and after toileting and all areas of the premises are kept clean.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is fully aware of all the children's individual dietary requirements and preferences. The menu is available for parents to see and meals are wholesome, such as stew and dumplings and spaghetti bolognaise. The children have independent access to drinks at all times, which keeps them hydrated. This is because the children’s individual feeder cups are placed where children can reach them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children’s nutritional needs are well met. This is because 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 their fingers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children have independent access to a good range of age-appropriate toys, furniture and equipment to effectively meet their needs, such as mark making, jigsaws, dolls, dough, cars, books and dressing up.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a home where most risks are identified and minimised, for example, safety gates and socket covers are in place. The children are kept within sight at all times, however, dangerous substances have not been stored out of the reach of children, which poses a risk to the children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A fire escape plan is available, however, fire drills are not currently practised with the children. Potential fire hazards are identified and made safe, for example, the fire is guarded, smoke alarms are fitted at all levels and are in working order, 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 a satisfactory knowledge of child protection and is aware of her responsibilities towards the children in her care. She has devised a child protection policy, which she shares with parents during initial visits. 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. The childminder 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 children are involved in a good range of interesting and enjoyable activities both inside and outside the home, such as making lanterns and hats to help celebrate Chinese New Year. There are consistent daily routines for eating, resting, playing and going out, which help the children feel secure and enjoy their day. The children are fully involved in activities, such as singing along confidently to music. The children are challenged to use what they know and to learn more. They make good progress in all aspects of their development. For example, one young child can successfully name various animals and colours. As a result, the children are very happy, settled and independent. They confidently assert their own preferences, for example, they choose when they would like another drink and what activities they like to play with.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Parents have good opportunities to share what they know about their child through regular discussions with the childminder and a well-established settling-in procedure. During initial meetings, the childminder shows all the parents her written policies, for example, the complaint policy and child protection policy. Also, all parents sign to say they have read the childminder's policies.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are well behaved, for example, they fully cooperate with routines and use good manners. They are developing a positive attitude to others and a good understanding about the wider world and community. This is because the children have access to a good selection of resources which reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability, such as books, play figures and dolls. The children are beginning to know about their own cultures and beliefs and those of other people. This is because they have many opportunities to celebrate different events, such as Easter, Chinese New Year and Halloween.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. All of the required documentation is in place and is confidentially stored. The childminder is aware of all the legal requirements, for example, she displays her registration certificate and holds public liability insurance. The childminder implements most of her policies and procedures well. However, the childminder's safety policy has not been fully put into practice. This is because there are some safety precautions which have not yet been put in place, for example, safety locks have not been fitted to the low-level cupboards it the kitchen.

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Organisation

The childminder has completed a childminder pre-registration course. Due to mitigating circumstances, the childminder has not attended first aid training, which means qualification requirements have not been met. However, she is booked to attend a suitable course. 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 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. 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 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): • ensure that dangerous substances are made inaccessible to the children • ensure that regular fire drills are undertaken • complete a suitable first aid course.

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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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