Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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319588 Unique Reference Number 24 October 2006 Inspection date Ingrid Szczerban 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 1988. She lives with her husband, two adult children and a child aged 10. They have a semi-detached house in the Rawdon area of Leeds, West Yorkshire. The playroom, the kitchen and the dining room are used by children, who also use the first floor bathroom. The family keep goldfish as pets. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for six, on a part-time basis. She walks to a local school to take and collect children. The childminder 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. Children learn about simple good health and hygiene practices as part of the day's routine. For instance, they wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows appropriate health and hygiene guidelines. She records all medication and accidents. However, she does not have written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice for children. The childminder acts in the best interest of children when they are sick and does not care for children when they have any contagious diseases. The home is clean and tidy, thereby protecting children from infection. However, children are not provided with individual hand towels, which exposes them to the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate supply in order to meet their needs. These include healthy and nutritious foods, such as fresh fruit for snacks. Children's health benefits from having their need for regular mealtimes and rest times met. Young children sleep after lunch each day so that they remain healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Robust physical activity is enjoyed by children. Each day they walk to and from school, which helps to build their stamina and develop a sense of control and co-ordination over their bodies. Children learn to climb, swing, pedal and balance on visits to parks and when playing in the garden. Children initiate their own physical play by doing exercises on the floor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have sufficient space to move around in a secure and safe environment in the home. They are able to choose to play indoors or outside when the weather allows. The risk of accidental injury to children is minimised as all necessary precautions are taken to keep children safe on and off the premises. The garden is fully enclosed and safety gates are used. Children have free access to their toys, which are stored at child height. This promotes independence and enables children to initiate their own play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys and resources are provided in adequate quantity for children; these are appropriate for their ages and safe to use. Further supplies of toys are kept upstairs and rotated to sustain children's interest. All children are encouraged to help to keep themselves safe. They are reminded not to jump close to other children in case they hurt them. Children are learning how to keep themselves from harm. The childminder teaches them about road safety and implements effective procedures on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection issues. She has written procedures to follow provided by the Local Safeguarding Children Board, with contact telephone numbers to use should the need arise. Therefore, children's welfare needs are addressed.

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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. Children are confident in their relationships with the childminder. They are happy and settled, deriving benefit from established routines planned around their needs, which contributes to their emotional well-being. Daily outings are undertaken and children have regular times for snacks, meals and rest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children express themselves creatively and use their imaginations well. They enjoy role play, making dinner and cups of tea in the play kitchen. Older children build with bricks to express their ideas and use a stethoscope, pretending to be doctors. Children's fine manipulative skills and concentration are stretched. They whoop with delight as they fly their paper planes. Children learn about animals and nature as they visit local farms where they see goats, deer, birds, ducks, rabbits and a donkey.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children communicate very well. Younger children's use of language is developed as the childminder is acutely attuned to their individual speech patterns. Older children are encouraged to think and to describe things in their own words, such as describing the route from the childminder's home to the local farm.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children begin to appreciate similarities and differences and develop positive attitudes to others. A selection of toys and books that promote aspects of diversity are provided and children have relevant discussions with the childminder. Suitable arrangements would be made to care for children with learning difficulties should the need arise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well-behaved and polite, in response to the expectations of the childminder. Children are given choices to select their preferred activities and learn how to share and take turns. Older children show genuine affection and concern for younger ones. Good use of praise and encouragement builds children's self-esteem and they are confident and self-assured.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnerships that are established with parents. Children are happy and settled with the childminder. The childminder records full details about children before they start, thereby promoting continuity of care and ensuring that children are cared for according to parents wishes. Daily chats with parents ensure that they are informed about their child's progress. The complaints procedure is discussed with parents but there is no system in place for recording any written complaints that may be made by parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Space is organised to meet the needs of the children so that they are able to initiate their own play and learning. Routines are organised effectively around the needs of children so that their needs are met. Children are kept safe due to the childminder's good awareness of vetting

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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 procedures for adults. Children receive satisfactory levels of individual support, time and attention from the childminder, who maintains the correct adult–child ratio.

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Organisation

Basic documentation is kept, the registration certificate is displayed and the register is accurate and up to date. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate which enables her to take appropriate action in case of any accidents to children. 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

At the last inspection actions and recommendations were raised regarding documentation and training.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has improved the documentation regarding administration of medicines to children. She has individual consent letters and written parental permission to give medicine to children in an emergency is included on the registration forms. She has improved her organisation of recording of accidents by obtaining the National Childminding Association's publication specifically for this purpose. The childminder's recording of children's daily attendances is now kept accurate and up to date. She has sufficient documentation to meet the basic requirements of the National Standards, in order to meet the care and welfare needs of children. The childminder has improved her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues by reading the information in the booklet produced by the Department of Health, 'What to do if you suspect a child is being abused.'

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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): • provide separate hand towels for children

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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 • request written permission from parents for the seeking of any emergency medical treatment or advice • devise a system for recording any written complaints which may be received from 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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