Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY319860 Inspection date 02 August 2006 Inspector Liz Whitehead

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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 was registered in 2006. She lives with her family in Pudsey, a suburb of Leeds. The ground floor and first floor bathroom of the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children at any one time and is currently minding two children. The childminder attends the local toddler group and walks to local schools to take and collect children. 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 childminder is pro-active in effectively reducing the spread of infection through children regularly washing their hands and using disposable towels to dry them. She appropriately implements the infection control policy. This clearly details the exclusion periods for childhood illnesses and ailments such as chickenpox and conjunctivitis. To encourage children to eat healthily the childminder organises fun activities, such as choosing their own fruit and going strawberry picking, which the children thoroughly enjoyed. They ate some of the strawberries at the childminder's home and took the rest home to share with their families. Mealtimes are a social occasion with the childminder sitting and eating with the children. This encourages them to try new foods, eat their vegetables and develop good table manners. Children recognise when they are thirsty and independently access their drinks which

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Helping children to be healthy

are always available in colour-coded sports bottles. Children are protected from the effects of the sun as the childminder ensures that they always wear sun cream and a hat. They do not play outdoors during the hottest times and the childminder has provided a gazebo to ensure that part of the garden is always shaded. Children have many opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They go for daily walks in the local area, and experience large physical play at the park and play gyms where they are able to climb, jump and slide. Individual bedding is provided and children are able to rest and sleep according to their own needs, routines and their parent’s wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has an appropriate understanding of how to keep children safe both inside and outside the home. Relevant safety equipment is in place, such as a fireguard and safety gate. The first aid box is readily accessible in the kitchen. The childminder does not fully protect children as she does not obtain the parents countersignature on medication records or request written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. The emergency evacuation procedure is practised regularly to ensure that all children are familiar with it. However, a smoke alarm is not available on the ground floor. The childminder is aware of this and has requested a visit from the fire safety service regarding the best position to locate one. Children happily help to tidy the toys away when the childminder reminds them that they may stand on them and hurt themselves. When a broken car is discovered, the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder and children agree that it is thrown away as it may have sharp edges

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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 which could hurt them. Effective systems are in place to prevent the children from leaving accompanied and from unwanted persons entering the premises. These include, the exterior door always being kept locked with the key to hand, and the garden gate being bolted when children are playing outdoors. A written procedure is in place and would be followed if a child became lost. To protect children in her care the childminder has enrolled on an additional child protection course. This will increase her knowledge and confidence in dealing with any issues that may arise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are secure, confident and able to learn effectively due to the good relationship they share with the childminder. She observes children in their play and uses their interests to further their learning. They concentrate well and spend a long time with the childminder colouring pre-drawn pictures. They talk about the shapes, colours and objects, for example a car, which the childminder links to the children's own experiences. This helps to form a vital link between their home life and the time they spend at the childminders. An appropriate range of toys and equipment provide a balanced range of activities including painting and looking at books. Children excitedly talk about baking buns, cakes and biscuits which they like to eat and also proudly show their parents. This activity aids children's development in many areas including number, size and capacity. They choose to play with the train track but need to ask the childminder for

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

this as it is not available for them to freely access. Children enjoy revisiting activities, and confidently build the track together and happily watch the train go. Children learn about the natural and living world through experiences, such as caring for and watering sun flowers which they grew from seeds. The childminder develops the children's recollection skills and they eagerly talk about the rabbits they saw at the park. Children have many opportunities to socialise and develop bonds with their peers through attending local groups. They communicate well with adults and benefit from suitable interaction and spending quality time with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn appropriate boundaries and good behaviour through the childminder having a consistent approach and giving explanations as to why certain behaviour is not acceptable. She is polite to the children, is a positive role model and encourages children to share and take turns. She appropriately manages the situation when the children argue over a train. She talks to them, defuses the issue, praises and thanks

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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 the children when they place the train back on the track. She then encourages their cooperation and they enjoy taking it in turns to stand over the track pretending to be a tunnel. The childminder limits the numbers of children that she cares for to ensure that she knows them well and is able to fully meet their individual needs. She has a good relationship with parents and keeps them informed through providing daily information regarding their child's care and development. This is a written record for parents of babies. Children are also encouraged to take art work and baking home to enable their parents to share their achievements. The childminder welcomes and encourages written comments from parents and children regarding the care that she offers. This enables her to assess and review the service she provides, however, she

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Helping children make a positive contribution

does not have a system in place to record complaints. Children receive some positive images during their play through dolls, play people and books depicting people from a range of cultures. They learn about the local community and the world around them through walks in the area and attending groups where they celebrate many festivals.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is suitably organised and has relevant information, such as the certificates of registration and public liability insurance displayed for parents to view. She demonstrates a commitment to childminding and has devised a file of unique policies and procedures, such as accident, behaviour and equal opportunities. The childminder has completed the Introduction to Childminding Practice course although she does not hold a first aid certificate, which is a breach of regulations. Children are protected as they are not left alone with persons who have not completed relevant checks. Some of the required documentation is in place and these are stored in a lockable file to ensure they are only accessible to the childminder to maintain confidentiality. Each child has an individual profile which records their development through photographs, examples of creative work and written comments by the childminder.

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Organisation

Each page is carefully laminated which gives the children a real sense of pride and achievement, this also provides the parents with a permanent record of their child's time at the childminder's. The children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and child orientated environment. They feel settled, secure and enjoy spending time with the childminder. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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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 made to Ofsted 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): • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • install a smoke alarm, which conforms to BS EN safety standards, on the ground floor • implement a system to obtain parent's countersignature on medication records and request written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • implement a system to record complaints made by parents.

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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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