Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY320517 Inspection date 12 June 2006 Inspector Ann Webb

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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 satisfactory. 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 has been registered for two months and currently has three children on roll. She lives in a house in Armley, a suburb of Leeds, with her partner and two children aged two and four years. All of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder takes children to the local toddler group and she is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. The children are effectively learning about healthy eating through trying a variety of healthy choices during meals and snacks. For example, they have melon and sliced banana with their breakfast. The childminder has an appropriate understanding of the nutritional needs of the children and works closely with parents, asking for comments and suggestions regarding the children's individual dietary needs. Routine hand washing ensures that all the children develop an appropriate understanding of the importance of personal hygiene. They become independent in contributing toward their own hygiene practices, for example, washing hands before they have a meal. There are frequent opportunities for the children to have fresh air and exercise. The childminder has a well equipped garden which the children use for large physical play, for example, they enjoy a game of swing ball and ride tricycles. They walk daily

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Helping children to be healthy

to and from school, visit nearby parks and learn about the effects of exercise on their bodies. The children's health and well-being is fostered appropriately through a clear sickness policy and the effective management of children's illnesses. Children with an infectious illness remain at home and there are suitable arrangements in place if children become unwell in the setting. This in turn helps to prevent the spread of infection. The children are able to rest and to sleep in accordance with their parent's wishes and their individual sleep patterns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Most risks to children are appropriately reduced because the childminder undertakes risk assessments for all areas inside and outside the home. For example, the fire is protected with a guard and sockets have safety covers. However, emergency evacuations have not been conducted. All toys and equipment are appropriately maintained, the childminder checks resources and furniture each day to ensure that they are safe for the children's use. She gives careful consideration to the presentation and storage of toys to ensure that children are able to make independent choices. As a result the children can play safely and develop their learning in a well maintained environment. All records, policies and documents are well detailed, regularly reviewed and shared with parents, for example, medication and accidents records. This successfully promotes the children's welfare and safety. The childminder has a clear

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding of the child protection procedures and shares her policy with all parents.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children learn appropriately through suitably planned play opportunities, reflecting the children's ages and stages of development, for example, painting, construction and role play, which encourages them to develop their imaginations. Their creative instincts are successfully fostered and developed and children are confident to freely express themselves. For example, they listen to music and make their own music using musical instruments. Their efforts are valued by the childminder who displays their work with care around the play room. The children play well together and enjoy each other's company. They sit together, listen to stories and take turns during games and completing jigsaws. The childminder has an appropriate understanding about how children develop and interacts well with the children. She explains how things work and gives children the time and the opportunity to practise newly acquired skills, for example, when she

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

introduces a game of swing ball. The children are confident to make independent choices from a suitable range of resources and select the activities and toys that they wish to play with. They particularly enjoy the opportunity to be outdoors and eagerly fill up the water blaster and measure how far they can spray the water.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children are involved in a reasonable range of activities which promote their understanding of the wider world, for example, they visit a toddler group, the park and the local shops. However, there are limited resources which reflect a positive image of race, gender and disability. They understand about caring for animals and learn to handle the childminder's rabbit with care and affection. The children behave well and respond positively, for example, when the childminder reminds them not to throw toys. They understand what is expected of them and are settled and happy in the childminder's care. The childminder understands and attends to the needs of the children, for example, their individual dietary requirements. The childminder has an effective partnership with parents and exchanges information verbally on a daily basis. She completes accurate, written documentation regarding

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the children's care, such as accident and medication records.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder creates a child centred environment with a calm atmosphere and consequently the children and parents feel welcome and settled in their

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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 surroundings. The childminder has a clear understanding of the National Standards, the supporting criteria and the recent changes in legislation. She keeps all the required records and documentation orderly, up to date and stored confidentially. Information regarding the childminder's business is displayed, for example, her certificate of registration is on the playroom wall for all parents to see. All policies and procedures are shared verbally with parents to promote the care and welfare of the children. The accommodation and resources are suitably organised, giving the children enough space to play and work comfortably. For example, they can safely and independently access areas used for childminding, including the outdoor play space. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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 have been no complaints since 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 satisfactory. 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 emergency evacuations are practised • provide resources which reflect a positive image of gender, race and disability.

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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:

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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 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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