Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY360404 Unique Reference Number 24 June 2008 Inspection date Ann Webb 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 has been registered since 2007 and is caring for three children. She lives with her husband, who works as an assistant, and three children aged two years, three years and five years. The family live in an area close to the centre of Leeds. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play at the rear of the property. The premises are situated within walking distance of the local schools, public transport services and shops. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Appropriately implemented hygiene routines help the children to understand about the importance of personal hygiene. For example, the children are expected to wash their hands after visiting the toilet and before they eat. The childminder is a positive role model for the children and keeps all areas used by the children clean and well maintained.

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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 children learn appropriately about healthy eating, the childminder provides a suitable range of light meals and snacks for the children. They enjoy fruit and vegetables as part of their snack. Water and fruit juice are available at all times and children are encouraged to take frequent drinks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have suitable opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They play outdoors in the garden and develop their physical skills for running and jumping and enjoy swings and ball games. Additionally, they take walks to local parks and nature areas and stretch out on the floor indoors to play with construction and games.

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Helping children to be healthy

Additionally, the children's health and well-being is appropriately managed through suitable opportunities for rest and sleep and management of any illnesses. The childminder takes positive steps to reduce the spread of childhood illnesses and does not care for children who have an infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children access an appropriate range of furniture and equipment which is suitable for their ages and the childminder checks resources to ensure that they are safe for the children's use. Toys are stored on shelving and in boxes, this enables the children to access them independently and safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are cared for in a suitably safe environment and the childminder takes positive steps to reduce risks to children. For example, safety features, such as a fire guard, socket covers and smoke detectors are in place. Additionally, the home and outdoor area are secure and children are unable to leave unattended. The children are encouraged to contribute toward their own safety and participate in emergency evacuations. Children follow road safety advice when on outings and wear high visibility clothing when walking to and from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's safety is further promoted through the childminder's sound knowledge of how to protect the children in her care. She understands the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and knows how to report any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children play with a reasonable range of toys and resources which are suitable for their ages and stages of development. For example, construction, games, books and small world figures. However, there are limited opportunities for children to experience natural and recycled materials. The children are able to confidently and independently choose their own play items and resources.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's creativity is appropriately developed through art, craft and musical activities. For example, they paint their own pictures which are displayed prominently for them to recall their efforts and for parents to admire. Additionally, they use their imaginations well during play with small world figures and vehicles imitating the sounds of engines and posting shapes into a shape sorter. They laugh and smile as the childminder claps and cheers at their efforts.

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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 The childminder interacts positively with the children, she is interested in what they have to say and joins in with their conversations. She has a suitable understanding of the developmental needs of the children and instinctively ensures that activities are interesting and enjoyable.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children benefit from the professional relationships between the childminder, parents and carers. A settling in period helps the children to become familiar with their surroundings and ensures that parents receive details of the service provided. Additionally, written contracts and written parental agreements ensure that all aspects of care are discussed and agreed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages the children's behaviour appropriately and the children understand their boundaries. She ensures that good behaviour is praised and encouraged, raising the children's self-esteem and helping them to understand what is expected of them. Children's behaviour is discussed with parents, however, incidents of bullying are not included in management procedures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children become familiar with their local community through visits to the local park, shops and schools. They have an appropriate understanding of the diversity of the community in which they live, however, toys and resources do not reflect positive images of race, gender and disability.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children benefit from a suitably organised environment. For example, the childminder manages her time effectively and plans for the children's activities flexibly around their attendance patterns. All the required records are in place, such as medication and accidents. These contain all the required details, are signed by parents and are easily accessible. However, some documents are completed in pencil and can be altered.

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Organisation

Key information, such as insurance details and the certificate of registration are prominently displayed and ensure that parents are fully aware of the service offered. The childminder keeps up to date with some areas of childcare practice, for example, food safety and child protection training.

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Organisation

The childminder makes appropriate use of available space which encourages the children's independence and decision making during their play and learning. The childminder follows appropriate clearance procedures to ensure adults working with the children are suitable to do so.

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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

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 provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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): • ensure that parents are made aware of how incidents of bullying will be managed • ensure that resources reflect a positive image of race, gender and disability • provide opportunities for the children to experience natural and recycled materials • ensure that records are completed in an indelible format.

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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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