Childminder in Farnley, LS 12

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.

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

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.

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since March 2006 to care for no more than three children under eight years at any one time. At present there is one child on roll who attends full-time. The whole of the ground floor is used for minding and there is an enclosed area for outdoor play.

The childminder lives with her husband and three children aged two, six and seven years in Farnley on the outskirts of Leeds, close to local schools, shops and parks. She provides regular outings to local toddler groups and places of interest as well as taking and collecting children from school.

The childminder is a member of an accredited childminding association.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are provided with an environment that is clean and well maintained. They are kept healthy through the childminder's good understanding of the need for effective health and hygiene practices. For example, the cleaning of all surfaces daily using a safe disinfectant and using disposable gloves when changing nappies. Children's understanding of personal hygiene is reinforced through washing of hands before eating, after using the toilet and after caring for the guinea pig; they are given simple explanations to the reasons why. For example, 'washing our hands washes away the germs and bugs which can give us a tummy ache'.

Children are provided with nutritional meals, such as homemade lasagne with hidden vegetables, fresh fruit, a wide choice of cereals, as well as fresh drinking water. They are kept free from infection through parents understanding not to bring their children for 48 hours if suffering from sickness and diarrhoea. Children's enjoyment of physical exercise is promoted through regular walks to feed the ducks as well as visiting the local park to use the large equipment. Well planned routines and comfortable seating allow children to have periods of rest and relaxation.

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well cared for in a safe and secure environment. The childminder ensures that space and resources are suitably deployed to allow children to move freely, with safety and independence. Toys and resources are safe, suitable and appropriate to children's needs. The childminder ensures toys in need of replacement have passed BS EN which keeps children safe from harm.

Children are kept safe through the relevant understanding of the childminder who promotes their understanding of personal safety well. For example, children know not to climb on the sofa or run in the house as they could 'fall and hurt themselves'. When taken on outings children hold hands and follow the Green Cross Code when crossing the road.

Children are kept free from harm through appropriate policies and procedures, such as child protection and fire evacuation. However, fire evacuation procedures are not regularly practised to ensure children have an understanding of how to proceed should a fire break out. Children's welfare is promoted through the childminder's satisfactory understanding of the issues and procedures with regard to child protection issues.

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and confident learners. They show enjoyment and enthusiasm when playing independently or with others. Children have access to a wide range of resources which include, construction, small world, arts and crafts and dressing up clothes. They are provided with lots of opportunities to develop their creative and imaginative skills. For example, they use sponges to print with and make figures using modelling clay which they then paint. Children's understanding of colour, shape and number is well promoted through appropriate questioning and reiteration by the childminder.

Children have a good understanding of right and wrong which is promoted through discussion and simple explanation. They regularly attend a toddler group which promotes their social skills as well as their understanding of taking turns and sharing. Children are questioned appropriately which promotes further learning. For example, when building a jigsaw children are asked 'what shape are we looking for, can you find another foot like this one'?. Children benefit from the childminder's warm and caring attitude; they receive lots of support and encouragement which raises their levels of self-esteem and confidence.

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued, respected and included fully in the setting. They are well-behaved and exhibit a very good level of engagement. Their understanding and awareness of their needs and those of others is well promoted through a very good range of books which discuss and explore a range of feelings. Children have a good awareness and understanding of the wider world. When appropriate, they discuss and celebrate religious festivals and explore positive images through a range of very good resources, such as a poster displaying other languages as well as small world figures depicted using a wheelchair and crutches.

Children benefit from the comprehensive, very positive attitude and understanding of the childminder with regard to promoting equal opportunities. They are valued as individuals and treated with equal concern. This includes children with learning difficulties or disabilities who benefit from the sound knowledge and understanding of the childminder with regard to meeting their individual needs. The childminder respects and values the views and wishes of parents. She works closely with parents to ensure that children's needs are well met through shared information and daily discussion. Parents receive written as well as verbal information about their child's progress.

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are well settled and benefit from a welcoming, warm and caring environment. They are able to self-select from a wide range of resources with safety and independence. Their learning is promoted through the good use of space and resources both inside and outside the home. All mandatory documentation is in place which ensures the smooth and efficient running of the provision and allows children's welfare, care and learning to be well met. The childminder has a very informative website which encourages parents to add any comments they may wish to make. However, parents without internet access do not have overall information about the provision as they do not have access to all policies and procedures.

Children are kept safe at all times. Their individual needs are met through the close working partnership between the childminder and parents. The childminder is committed to furthering her personal development through training. For example, she has attended training on listening to young children, the 'Birth to three matters' framework and is currently studying for a diploma in home based childcare.

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

Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable.

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.

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.

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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 children are aware of fire evacuation procedures
• ensure all parents have access to all policies and procedures to allow them to have overall information about the provision provided.

Any complaints about the inspection or the report should be made following the procedures 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