Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY368341 Unique Reference Number 14 May 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 2008. She lives with her partner and two children, aged nine years and six months in Leeds. The ground floor and first floor bathroom of the property are used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five all day. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. 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 and walking to school and toddler group. The children have regular opportunities to play with equipment that promotes physical development, such as a slide, climbing frame and wheeled vehicles. Successful methods for promoting personal hygiene are used. For example, all areas of the premises are kept clean and children are encouraged to wash their hands prior to eating.

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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 is fully aware of all the children's individual dietary requirements and preferences and the sample menu is available for parents to view. The childminder treats mealtimes as an opportunity to help children enjoy their food and become independent in feeding themselves. As a result, young children have many opportunities to feed themselves using fingers, for example, at snack time the children enjoyed eating grapes and a sliced apple. The children have independent access to drinks at all times, which keeps them hydrated. This is because the children’s individual cups are placed where children can reach them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a clean and welcoming home. The children have independent access to an adequate range of age-appropriate toys, furniture and equipment to effectively meet their needs, such as books, paints, dough, jigsaws and cars. However, the range of resources made from natural materials is limited.

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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. 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, 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 all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, the childminder has devised a child protection policy which she shares with parents and has child protection contact numbers available. She has also attended child protection training and knows what the different types of abuse are, the possible signs and symptoms and the reporting procedure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are recognised as individuals and the childminder meets their differing needs well, for example, they sleep in accordance with their home routine. The children are cared for in a well organised setting, where there are consistent daily routines for eating, resting, playing and going out, which helps the children to feel secure. As a result, the children settle in quickly and enjoy their day. They confidently assert their own needs and preferences, for example, they choose when they would like a drink and when they would like to play outside. The children are involved in a good range of interesting and enjoyable activities both inside and outside the home, such as going out on trips to the park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a positive manner and the children enjoy the childminder's company. As a result, the children are well behaved and occupied. For example, they help tidy up, share and use good manners when prompted to do so. The children are confident and use their initiative, for example, after playing with the play dough, a young child independently chose to play with the cars. The children have access to a limited selection of resources which reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, disability and gender.

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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 The childminder encourages parents to share information prior to starting so both parents, child and childminder can get to know each other. Further information is available through the parents’ information file which contains a copy of the childminder’s policies. As a result, the childminder’s policies are easily accessible to parents. The parents receive clear information about the children's care through daily discussions with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. 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 policies and procedures that are individual to her setting, are understood and have a positive impact on the children, such as a sick child policy, a behaviour policy and a child protection procedure.

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Organisation

The childminder has a professional attitude and is committed to improvement, for example, as well as attending all the required training, she has also attended additional courses, such as disability equality 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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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 promote equality of opportunity • increase the range of resources which are made from natural materials.

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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 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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