Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 320004 Inspection date 07 February 2006 Inspector Lindsay Helen Dobson

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1995. She lives with her husband and their adult son. They live in a large village on the outskirts of Leeds. Their home is within walking distance of the local shops, school and park. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of seven children at any one time, and is currently minding three children aged under 5 years, three over 5 years and one aged over 8 years. The family have a dog.

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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 Children are taken to a parent and toddler group on a regular basis. The childminder has a level 3 qualification in childcare. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Leeds childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment where there are high levels of cleanliness and hygiene. They know the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Older children wash their hands independently after using the toilet and tell the childminder they have done so. Some children bring their toothbrush to clean their teeth after lunch. They all have separate hand towels and use liquid soap. This practice along with her written sickness policy effectively minimises risk of cross infection. All accidents and medication procedures are followed well and shared with parents. However, they do not always sign to acknowledge the entry. The children are very well nourished and benefit from the healthy and nutritious diet provided by the childminder. They are encouraged to drink regularly throughout the day and have their own beakers to hand. They enjoy the varied range of freshly prepared meals and snacks which includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. The

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder is very flexible and takes account of parents preferences and children's choices. Her written sample menus are made available to parents in her information folder. All children enjoy a very effective range of activities that promotes their physical health and well-being. They walk to and from school and nursery several times in the day and often call at the park on their way home, developing good coordination and skills as they climb, balance and swing on the apparatus. On site they play in the garden where they peddle wheeled toys, play ball games or jump on the large trampoline.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very safe and secure environment. Risks of accidental injury to children are minimised, due to the childminder's good supervision and regular carrying out of risk assessments. As a result, children move around the home safely, freely and independently. All safety equipment is in place and used effectively. The childminder has clear procedures in place for the safe use of the outdoor trampoline and parents have given verbal permission for this. However, the childminder acknowledges it would be better to have this in writing. Children learn how to keep themselves safe when on site or out and about. They know how to evacuate the premises in the event of an emergency and they practice the drills regularly. When walking to and from school they follow the green cross code and negotiate the roads in a safe manner.

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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 Children independently self-select their own toys and resources from a wide range of good quality, clean and age appropriate resources that meet the safety standards. The childminder has organised them effectively to create defined learning areas within her home. For example, children sit and enjoy stories and books on the large floor cushions in the book corner. All documentation is in place and procedures are followed to promote children's care and welfare. Her first aid training is renewed regularly and she has a clear understanding of child protection issues. There is a written child protection policy in place which is shared with the parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children are extremely happy and relaxed; they thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and her family. The children relate well to each other and they are able to extend their social, physical and learning skills through regular visits in the community and further a field. For example, they visit local parks and enjoy trips to the Railway Museum. These provide the children with a positive and exciting range of experiences and challenges in interesting settings. The children are eager to participate in all activities. The childminder is sensitive to their individual needs and offers a flexible child-led approach to the activities and resources they want to access. She skilfully adapts what she offers to ensure all the children take part. This enables the younger children to be involved in a variety of creative activities, such as flour and water play, paints, mark making and experience

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

tactile and sensory materials. The children sit with the childminder and share a book, which fosters their listening skills and helps them recognise things that are familiar to them. Older children prefer to engage in activities which promote creativity; they particularly enjoy the opportunities for craft activities after school. There are positive caring relationships established, which promotes children's confidence and communication skills. The children develop a strong sense of self, which is apparent in their confidence and eagerness to try new skills. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Birth to three matters framework to monitor the younger children's development. Children have a detailed profile based on the framework and the stepping stones, which is completed by the childminder. These are enhanced with photographic evidence. These profiles build up a comprehensive overview of the child's time at the provision and are readily

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder offers the children a range of meaningful resources and activities that promote a positive insight of the wider world and an awareness of differences.

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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 For example, the children have the opportunity to celebrate a wide range of festivals and access a range of resources. The children learn about their local community as they visit the nearby park and schools. These visits support the childminder's approach of increasing children's knowledge of the wider world. The childminder takes account of all the children's individual needs and this is shared with parents to ensure they are continually met. Behaviour is managed in a caring and sensitive way, which ensures the children have a good awareness of the boundaries in place as the childminder is consistent in her approach. The children learn to negotiate and take responsibility for their behaviour especially the older children. Children share and take turns and care for each other by ensuring the toys they play with are safe and suitable. The children are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

encouraged to make choices in their play and develop their independence. There are excellent relationships with parents, which contribute to the children's well-being. Parents views are valued and they are encouraged to visit the childminder before the child starts, so that they can make an informed choice in the care offered. Individual profiles are used with parents to share information regularly and effectively. There are policies and procedures in place, which enhance the information available on the support and care provided. Contracts of agreements are used effectively and reviewed regularly.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised and efficient in all aspects of her provision. The children are welcomed into a safe and well resourced environment that benefits their well-being. This enables the children to be confident and happy, to initiate their play and learning and to develop accordingly. Planning of activities is excellent and monthly topics and themes are followed, such as farms and transport. There are policies and procedures in place that support the quality of the childminding offered. All documents and records are kept appropriately, stored securely and maintain good levels of confidentiality. The childminder has consistently attended training to enhance her skills and knowledge of childcare and has lots of additional training planned, such as Every child matters and further Birth to three training. She maintains a very professional approach to her role as a childminder, whilst ensuring she provides the children with

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Organisation

a happy, relaxed and warm environment. The childminder has a very good understanding of the National Standards and child development. She uses this knowledge to provide high quality childcare in a stimulating and child orientated environment. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements 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 At the last inspection the childminder was required to extend the range of resources positively promoting all areas of equal opportunities. The childminder now offers the children a range of meaningful resources and activities that, promote a positive insight of the wider world and an awareness of differences. For example, the children have the opportunity to celebrate a wide range of festivals and access a good range of resources. The children learn about their local community as they visit the nearby park and schools. These visits support the childminder's approach of increasing children's knowledge of the wider world.

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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. Ofsted was notified by the provider of concerns regarding National Standard 1 – Suitable person. The provider has taken the necessary steps to comply with the National Standards. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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): • ensure parents sign to acknowledge the entry on all medication records • obtain written parental permission for children to use the tramploine

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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