Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY320569 Inspection date 17 July 2006 Inspector Margaret Shelborn

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2006. She lives with her partner and two children aged 10 and six in Old Farnley in Leeds. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a front and rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding seven children, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children. She takes

p.2

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 to the park and local play centres. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder practises good hygiene with them. She is a good role model, washing her hands before preparing food and cleaning the table with antibacterial spray after a messy play activity. She minimises the risk of cross-contamination when nappy changing takes place by wearing disposable gloves. Two-year-olds enthusiastically wash their hands after playing with dough and before eating their healthy snack of fruit and yogurt. All the children have their own individual towels. There are plenty of opportunities for the children to access fresh air and exercise as they walk to and from school, visit local parks and play centres and develop their physical skills through a selection of sit and ride toys. The children benefit from use of the heated swimming pool in the childminder's garden. All the children thoroughly enjoy time spent in the pool whilst being closely supervised by the childminder.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a valid first aid certificate and a well stocked first aid kit. Clear and concise written policies and procedures are in place regarding sickness, accidents and administration of medication. However, she does not have written parental permission to the seeking of medical advice or treatment. Children receive a nutritionally balanced diet that is agreed with their parents at the start of a placement. The childminder provides children with a varied range of meals and healthy snacks, for example, yogurts and fruit. Drinks are provided through out the day and children have their own cups that are refilled as they are emptied. Mealtimes are a sociable occasion, with the childminder sitting with the children encouraging good table manners and explaining to them about the importance of healthy eating and the positive impact on their bodies. Children are able to rest and sleep according their individual needs, routines and their parents' wishes.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very welcoming, secure and safe environment. There is good evidence of children's play and creative activities. The children enjoy attending very much; they settle well and are happy and confident. A good selection of toys and equipment are stored at the children's level and they freely select toys with confidence, for example, a two-year-old carries a container of balls and helps the childminder to fill up the ball pool. A further supply of play materials are rotated by the childminder on a regular basis.

p.3

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 The childminder takes very thorough steps to ensure the children's safety within the home and outside. For example, doors and gates are kept secure, safety gates are used, a fire blanket is situated in the kitchen, risk assessments are done and emergency evacuation procedures are practised on a monthly basis. Advice has been obtained from the fire service regarding the siting of smoke alarms throughout the home. Policies clearly show the childminder's commitment to ensuring the children's safety, for example, a lost-children's policy and written risk assessments for all outings. The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of child protection issues. She has attended training in this area and parents receive a copy of her child protection policy which outlines her roles and responsibilities. She understands the signs of child

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

abuse and she knows how to record and raise concerns and contact the relevant agencies in order to safeguard children.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children confidently acquire new skills and knowledge through a very good selection of toys and play materials that cover all areas of play. For example, books, role play and construction equipment are all available. They enjoy exploring texture and materials through planned and organised activities, such as painting and collage. Children are very interested in the activities provided. For example, they spent a period of time enjoying making shapes with dough and filling the ball pool. Children are very happy and content. They are confident and settled within an environment that is successfully planned to introduce them to a range of new and interesting experiences, both indoors and outdoors. Children participate in activities which are flexible and appropriate for the diverse age range that is cared for. The childminder takes opportunities to encourage the children to count as they climb the

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

stairs to visit the toilet, and name the colours of the balls in the ball pool. Children enjoy a variety of outings. For example, they visit the local parks and play centres and have small walks around the local community. This in turn helps them to understand their local environment and gain a good sense of belonging. They are developing good self-esteem and an understanding of right and wrong through the childminder talking to them about issues, such as sharing their toys, and through constant praise for achievement, effort and caring behaviour.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very happy and settled atmosphere where they are valued and treated as individuals. They gain awareness of their local environment and the diversity of the wider world through a very good selection of resources, for example, books about different cultures, dressing up clothes and small world figures depicting age, gender and disability. The childminder has a written equal opportunities policy

p.4

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 which she shares with all parents. Children are developing a good understanding of responsible behaviour. The childminder is a good role model for the children to follow as she is patient in her approach and has a calm, caring manner. Older children are consulted in setting the ground rules and this has a positive impact on their behaviour. The children respond positively to the childminder's clear guidance and are very familiar with the well established routines which they follow. The parents have strong and trusting relationships with the childminder. They are listened to and kept well informed about the provision and their children's progress on a daily basis. For example, all new parents receive a very informative handbook which covers all aspects of the service the childminder provides, and she completes

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

a daily diary for babies who attend. The childminder works closely with all parents to meet the children's individual needs such as dietary requirements, sleep patterns and administration of medication.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's care is enhanced by effective organisation. The childminder regularly evaluates and develops her practice by accessing relevant training, for example, further child protection training. She has a good working knowledge of the National Standards; she understands how to interpret them in the best interest of the children she cares for and they form the basis of her policies and procedures. Most of the required documentation is in place. The childminder has a very good selection of policies and procedures that are individual to her setting and this contributes to the good management of the childminding services she provides. All information is stored confidentially but is easily assessable if needed in an emergency. This is regularly shared with parents and updated. The children are happy, settled and confident. This is because the childminder ensures the children have consistent routines. She organises her time, space and

p.5

Organisation

resources appropriately to create a stimulating, interesting and safe environment for the children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

Complaints 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 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 written parental permission is requested, at the time of the placement, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6