Thompson, Jane Marie

Inspection report for early years provision

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320119 Unique Reference Number 23 May 2006 Inspection date Dawn Bonica Brown 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 1996. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 12 and 15 years in Guiseley, near Leeds. The whole of the childminder's house, with the exception of the bedrooms, is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children, of whom five are aged under eight years, before and after school, term time only. The childminder takes children to, and collects them from the local school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and a member of the local childminding group.

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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. Children are gaining a good awareness of healthy practises through maintaining robust hand washing routines. For example, the childminder talks to them about how they soil their hands from picking up conkers on the way home from school. She emphasises the need to wash their hands on reaching home and hand washing routines are applied consistently before eating and after using the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children stay healthy because the childminder maintains good hygiene standards in the home to prevent the spread of infection. She is a positive role model for the children. For example, the children's environment is very clean and well maintained. Children contribute to the rigorous maintenance of a clean environment by following her guidelines and tidying up after themselves.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is well maintained through accurate record keeping and appropriate procedures to ensure that sick children are well protected. For example, children who are contagious do not attend thus preventing the spread of contagious ailments and acting in the best interest of all children to protect all those being cared for.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's welfare and well-being are closely protected because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This means that she is able to promptly administer first aid in the event of an accident because she has the relevant knowledge.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and help themselves to drinks of juice or water whenever they want. They develop a positive attitude to mealtimes because they all eat their after-school meal together at the dining table. They enjoy a good family atmosphere at mealtimes when they chat with each other and childminder happily. They choose their snacks or meals and the childminder ensures that a balanced diet is incorporated into their choice. For example, their choice of sandwiches for tea-time is balanced because the childminder includes raw vegetables and fruit to produce 'sunshine sandwiches' which the children enjoy immensely. Their knowledge of food is enhanced through the careful introduction of food from around the world, such as rice, noodles and poppadoms.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy lifestyle because they take part in regular physical play. They walk to and from school every day and sometimes visit the park with sandwiches after school. They play organised games and enjoy using the recreational equipment in the park. Children also play group games in the garden when the weather is good.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a range of stimulating activities in a safe environment that is well maintained. Their independence is promoted and their all round development is encouraged through the good use of space. For example, their toys are available for them to select by themselves in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 labelled boxes at their height. This means that they do not ask for assistance in organising their own activities or selecting their toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use good quality equipment and play with toys that are well presented. For example, they select from a range books that are in good condition and easy to select from. Their toys are sturdy and stored well so that children who cannot read are able to see them easily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe because all reasonable steps are taken to minimize potential hazards through good risk assessments. For example, children learn how to keep themselves safe on the roads through regular practise at looking and listening for traffic and crossing the roads safely. They are knowledgeable about what to do in an emergency in the home and all the required safety equipment is in place to promote their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected from abuse through the childminder's very good understanding of child protection issues. She has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what to do if she has concerns about a child. Parents are aware of her responsibilities to protect children and the childminder has the relevant documentation to support them, in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines. This means she can act quickly in the child's best interest to safeguard their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled; they have good relationships with the childminder and with each other; they are friendly, open to new ideas and curious about what is going on around them. They are involved in a broad range of planned activities and spontaneous events, such as visits to park in good weather, box modelling, creating unique artwork and helping to prepare their own tea-time snacks and meals. They organise games for themselves which meet their individual needs. For example, dressing up, reading books, board games, developing themes with construction toys and participating in memory games.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident and learn to make decisions through practical activities that are incorporated into their normal routines. For example, they learn how to use their pocket money when the childminder takes them on a weekly shopping trip. This helps them to learn about managing money and supports their understanding of maths. They respond to adults' interest and enjoy games that are inclusive as well as educational, such as the 'shopping' game which promotes memory and sequencing of events.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are allowed time to explore their environment and resources independently and at their pace. For example, they make good use of their limited time with the childminder to enjoy their favourite activities and participate in the after-school snack time. This is well promoted because the childminder prioritises their needs to ensure that children going home early enjoy their favourite activities.

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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. Children are confident and happy and feel a sense of belonging as the childminder knows the children well and values their individuality by following their interests. They have made firm friends and look forward to seeing each other. Children are treated with respect so that they learn to be polite and considerate to others. They think about the needs of others because their individual needs are met. They have a positive role model in the childminder who is courteous and encourages them to share and maintain good friendships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have their individual needs met because the childminder works closely with parents to ensure good continuity of care. Parents are very happy with the care provided for their children. They appreciate the fact that the childminder is 'thoughtful, reliable, flexible and very caring'. They are confident in leaving their children with her and feel that she has their children's best interests at heart. They 'would recommend her to any parents'. They also state that she enhances their children's development, treats them as part of her family and has a lovely way with children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. They are courteous and respectful, share toys and activities well and cooperate well in their shared games. They are valued and included because the childminder listens to them, gives them choices and encourages them to solve their own problems.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are effectively included in the activities provided and benefit from those which help them to value diversity. They learn to value the differences in society through resources that reflect positive images of cultural diversity and disability. However, their awareness of positive gender roles is overlooked as there are few resources or activities that promote non-stereotypical play.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well-protected because they are cared for by adults who are suitable to do so. They feel secure and confident because they receive sufficient adult support. Their welfare is effectively promoted through well-maintained documentation that manages the provision efficiently. For example, children's attendance is very well recorded and other documentation that promotes good standards of health and safety are maintained accurately.

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Organisation

Children are well cared for through the childminder's good knowledge of child development. She understands their individual needs and works effectively with parents to promote children's well-being. Their enjoyment of the setting is enhanced through the childminder's clear sense of purpose and commitment to their welfare. Children are well-supported to set their own agenda for their after school activities because the childminder organises the day efficiently. This allows them to follow their individual pursuits and make the most of the time spent with her.

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Organisation

Children feel valued and have a sense of belonging because the childminder puts their needs first. This is achieved by good organisation of space and resources, which provides a

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 child-orientated environment. The provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to keep written records of medication and obtain prior written permission to give medication.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She was also recommended to complete a first aid course, acquire resources reflecting positive images and ensure that the rear garden is made safe.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's welfare has improved with good systems in place that are used efficiently to record medication given. All parents have given prior written consent for the childminder to administer medication.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's health and safety is well protected because the childminder has an appropriate and current first aid certificate and the garden is fully secure. Children are gaining an awareness of cultural diversity and disabilities through resources that reflect positive images.

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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. There are no complaints to report.

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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): • continue to develop resources and activities that reflect positive images of gender roles.

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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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