Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY360129 Unique Reference Number 10 June 2008 Inspection date Thecla Grant Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine years and four years in the Alwoodley area of Leeds. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and a fully enclosed garden is available for outdoor play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for five children under eight years before and after school. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect the children. The family have a goldfish.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder appropriately follows current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. The childminder has a suitable verbal policy for children who are sick on her premises. The childminder is trained in

p.2

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 administering first aid and has a current first aid certificate. As a result, children are well taken care of if they have an accident or become ill.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a suitable understanding of healthy eating and provides nutritious foods for the children's tea. Drinks are available for the children during this time. Children have a very good understanding of healthy eating and discuss the project they are doing at school regarding fatty foods. Children also have a suitable understanding of why they need to wash their hands before eating.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have constant opportunities for physical development as the garden is readily available.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming environment. Their artwork is attractively displayed in the toy room where a wide range of toys and equipment is provided for the children. These are easily accessible and support enjoyable activities that stimulate and challenge the children in ways appropriate to their needs. As a result, children happily investigate and explore their environment.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are mostly safe in the childminder's house because she has suitable systems in place. For example, a fireguard is erected to protect children from accessing the gas fire, although this is not secured to the wall. Children learn to avoid trip hazards by tidying away their activities when they have finished with them. The childminder has appropriate fire equipment in place, such as smoke detectors, which are available on all levels of her home and a fire blanket is sited in the kitchen. The childminder has recorded the emergency evacuation practices and children have an understanding of what to do in the event of a fire. As a result, children are learning to keep themselves safe.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has information about what to do if she is worried a child is being abused and a child protection policy is in place. The childminder has attended training in safeguarding children as part of her approved childminding pre-registration course. As a result, children are appropriately safeguarded.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happily involved in a good range of planned activities and spontaneous events which support their development and learning. They are self-motivated and confidently choose what they want to play with. For example, they enjoy creating their own Father's Day cards. They thoroughly enjoy their chosen activity and persist for an extended period of time.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are interested in what is available; they happily select different resources from the toy room. For example, two children set a floor puzzle on the carpet and worked together to finish the pieces. The childminder successfully balances her time with the children and is dedicated to extending their learning. For example, a five year old took interest in how many biscuits each child had received; this was successfully turned into a calculation game and they quickly calculated that they all had one biscuit each.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has developed a play plan with activities she will be providing when the children attend. These include painting, play dough and other creative play opportunities. Children have

p.3

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 a good balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities. They thoroughly enjoy their time at the childminder's home and have developed a close relationship with her.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are appropriately cared for by the childminder because she suitably works with their parents. Parents are encouraged to share information with regard to their children, which includes their permission for activities, such as outings. This is implemented to ensure children are cared for according to their individual needs.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has an understanding of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities, and has attended a training course with this regard. She has resources which positively reflect age, gender, race, culture and disability. However, these are limited and not readily accessible to the children. Children learn about the diversity of their local community through the celebrations of different cultural festivals, such as Father's Day.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages children's behaviour in a way that is appropriate to each child's age and stage of development. She makes sure that children are not bored or frustrated but are busy and contented. As a result, children learn how to behave appropriately.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is committed to continual improvement and is dedicated to attending relevant training courses and workshops. The childminder has appropriately implemented these to enhance her work with the children.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder makes sure the space provided for the children to play consistently enables them to manoeuvre safely. She makes sure children are supported and are happy and contented.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder has documentation for the safe management of her provision and the welfare of the children. These work in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. However, the register is not filled in accurately, parents have not signed the permission for photographs and only one form has been devised to record children's accidents and medication. As a result, children's confidentiality is compromised.

p.4

Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 record keeping is up to date and accurate and make sure children's confidentiality is not compromised • continue to develop resources that positively reflect the diversity of the wider world and make sure these are easily accessible to the children.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5