Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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320160 Unique Reference Number 31 July 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 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 was registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged 18 and 10 years on the outskirts of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor, with the exception of the lounge is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. The childminder currently has ten children on roll, all on a part-time basis. She lives close to schools, shops, parks and places of interest.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. 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 learn good routines of personal hygiene and practise these independently. The children use wet wipes, after toileting and before eating, which are easily disposable and this prevents cross infection. The children develop good knowledge and understanding of healthy practices and the reasons behind them through discussions with the childminder. They have many opportunities to develop physical control through using local parks and bicycles, scooters and balls in the enclosed garden. The childminder also takes children to local places of interest.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a pet parrot, which children are allowed to look at and older children are aware that they should not touch the parrot. The younger children are always supervised by the childminder when taking an interest in the pet parrot. All food for the parrot is kept out of reach of the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are met and they begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet through activities and are offered healthy snacks, including fruit. Children can independently access drinks and are regularly encouraged to take drinks by the childminder, especially during exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. Children can access toys independently and confidently. All toys, activities and equipment are adequately maintained. There are satisfactory arrangements for sleeping children and their individual sleep patterns are adhered to.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in an environment which has most safety features including risk assessments, practising and testing of the fire evacuation procedure, as well as smoke alarms. However, a fire blanket is required to be made accessible and some areas of safety need to be reviewed. This ensures children are cared for in a safe environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children develop a good understanding of keeping themselves safe, learning to cross the road safely and practising evacuation procedures with the childminder. They begin to understand the reasons behind safe practices through good explanations from the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's welfare is a priority and there are procedures and policies in place to protect children. The childminder has understanding and knowledge of child protection procedures, to ensure the safety of the children in her care.

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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 good. Children have good opportunities to become independent and are confident in their environment. They freely access drinks and are encouraged to access toys freely and independently. They are happy and settled and build warm relationships with other children, playing well together and learning to take turns and share. There is a good range of activities, which children are fully involved in and enjoy, such as dressing up, jigsaws, role play, arts, crafts and visits to other childminders in the area and visits to the park. The childminder has a good selection of outside play equipment and also encourages the children to use their imagination both indoors and outdoors. For example, children play on the bicycles, scooters and with bats and balls.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has photographs of children on outings to places of interest and also doing creative activities. For example, sticking, painting and playing with dough. Children are keen to communicate with each other and adults too. The childminder is very interested in the children and questions them well to encourage them to think and also develop their social skills. For example, children play harmoniously together a game of monopoly, with older children helping younger ones to play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children's individual needs are effectively met and detailed registration forms and talks ensure the childminder has all the information necessary to care for the children. Children are valued as individuals and are treated fairly and equally, regardless of gender, culture and ability. They have some opportunity to learn about the wider world through the resources available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and benefit from clear and consistent boundaries set by the childminder. They receive lots of praise and begin to understand right from wrong through good explanations as to why behaviour is not appropriate. Parents are kept informed of their child's development and activity, through daily verbal feedback. However, there is need for a complaint procedure to be made fully available for parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder uses well organised rooms and resources, enabling the children to feel secure and confident. They benefit from regular training accessed by the childminder, which is effectively put into practise, including first aid. Children are kept safe and healthy through the implementation of both written and verbal procedures. Most required documentation is in place and available for parents and inspections. The childminder does display her insurance and the registration certificate for parents to see.

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Organisation

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

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that list of creams and lotions contain sufficient details and information for parents. She now only uses lotions and creams given by parents. This ensures children's health and safety needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to improve fire safety by practising the fire evacuation plan. The childminder has a written procedure and evacuation plan for fire safety. She practises and records these monthly. She also has had the fire service out to check the premises for safety and has a written documentation as proof. This ensures that children are cared for in a safe environment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to provide resources which reflect positive images of disability. The childminder has enhanced this area with books, jigsaws and role play and the celebrating of different festivals. This ensures that children in the childminders care learn about the wider world and local community.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to get written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. She now has written permission from parents for administering medication and seeking medical advice or treatment in the children's registration forms and also in the accident /medication book that she uses. This ensures that children are cared for in a safe environment.

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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 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 that the fire blanket is accessible • ensure all safety measures are in place

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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 • develop a complaint procedure available for parents.

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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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