Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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319718 Unique Reference Number 09 May 2006 Inspection date Jane Elizabeth O'Callaghan 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 1990. She lives with her husband and their three sons aged 19, 17 and 13 years. They live in a residential suburb of Leeds. Schools, playgroup, library, shops, parks and railway station are within walking distance. The dining room, playroom and first floor bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for a maximum of 6 children under 8 years. There are currently 4 children on roll, all cared for on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a dog, a cockatiel and a corn snake.

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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. The children enjoy a wide range of activities, both indoors and outdoors, for example, on sit and rides, bicycles, trips to parks and places of interest. This contributes to the development of children's good health and physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are beginning to learn about a healthy and nutritious diet. They are encouraged to eat fresh fruit and vegetables and also to help choose their snacks. It is explained to the children how healthy the food is for them and the importance of having drinks, for example, when it is warm and children have been busy. This enables children to understand the importance of eating a healthy and nutritious diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that all children's dietary needs are met through discussion with parents about children's allergies, likes and dislikes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about the importance of washing their hands after outdoor play and before meals. For example, the children explained that they wash hands to get rid of any nasty germs before snacks and after going to the toilet. All children have their own individual colour coded and recognisable pictures on their towels, which prevents cross contamination.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder keeps accident and medication records for each individual child, all of which are completed correctly and kept in a confidential manner.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a home where risks are identified and minimised. This ensures that children are in a warm, welcoming and safe environment. The children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. They are able to choose from a safe, clean and extensive range of toys, equipment and activities. The children are beginning to understand how to keep themselves safe, both within the home and on outings. For example, the childminder ensures that the children practise a thorough fire drill and road safety procedure, however, the fire blanket needs to be sited in the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has most of the required documents and procedures in place, ensuring children's welfare is safeguarded at most times. The childminder ensures the children's welfare is paramount, for example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and is aware of updating her knowledge about child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children settle extremely well at the childminders house, freely moving around and choosing from a excellent range of toys, equipment and activities. These are easily accessible and

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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 encourage the children to develop in all areas of learning with a very good range. For example, outside children access a rocker, a sit and rides, sit in cars, balls and bicycles. The children also have access to a good selection of toys, equipment and activities inside that meets children's ages and stages of development. For example, jigsaws, books, creative play, construction and role play. This ensures that children's imagination and independence is developed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children have access to a good range of story books. These are easily accessible by children. Children are happy and have a lot of fun choosing from the range of toys and equipment and activities that are available for them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are learning about the surrounding area, through trips to parks and places of interest. The children join in activities, enjoying the interaction by the childminder. They are also encouraged to become involved in activities, for example, in role play making drinks and offering food to visitors, children do this with enthusiasm and very confidently.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children have access to a limited range of activities and resources to promote a positive awareness of the wider world. The childminder continues to enhance resources in this area in a positive way. Children learn about the environment that they live in through visits to places of interest, for example, trips to local parks and museums.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very good working relationship with parents, offering daily verbal feedback and a file with most relevant information. For example, written policies on behaviour, child protection, safety and health, however, the complaint procedure for parents needs to be developed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children show care and concern for each other as they are encouraged to take turns and share. Positive behaviour and praise is given by both the children and also the childminder as a good role model, for example, 'thank you', 'please' and 'good girl'. This ensures that children play well together harmoniously and behave well in a friendly environment.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children move around the organised environment with ease and feel at home. This means that children are confident in extending their own play and learning. All information is kept in a confidential manner and shared with parents regularly.

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Organisation

Parents are kept informed about the service offered to their child, promoting their welfare and activities, for example, correct completing of registers, accident forms, medication forms and policies. This ensures continuity of care for children.

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Organisation

The childminder attends training and has certificates of proof and also has written policies to show both parents and inspectors, offering a professional approach to childminding.

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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 The childminder is fully aware of all the legal requirements, such as notifying of Ofsted of any changes, the completion of documentation and keeping it for a period of time.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to continue to extend resources that positively reflect images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. She continues to enhance this area, by having books, celebrating of festivals and small world that reflects images in all areas in a positive manner.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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): • ensure the fire blanket is fixed in the kitchen • develop knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures.

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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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