Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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319753 Unique Reference Number 24 October 2006 Inspection date Lindsay Helen Dobson 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 good. 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 since 1991. She lives on the outskirts of Leeds in a semi-detached house. She lives with her grown up child.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years of age and is currently caring for seven children who attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder uses the dining room, kitchen and lounge on the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor for childminding purposes; there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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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 good. Children enjoy a very good range of activities which contribute to their good health. Children are settled and have a close relationship with the childminder. Children participate in a good range of physical activities, including trips to the local park and further afield. The childminder utilises the garden in all weathers and brings learning activities outside including planting and growing. Children are confident, have good relationships with each other and demonstrate a sense of belonging.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable home. There is a very good standard of hygiene throughout and children are encouraged to maintain good standards of personal care. For example, the children are familiar with the bathroom routine when coming in from the garden and before eating. The childminder agrees children's care with parents and has all required consents in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an excellent range of snacks provided by the childminder. Snacks are healthy, for example, raw vegetables and fruit grown in the garden by the children, accompanied by drinks of water or dilute juice which are available at all times. The childminder's meal and snack planning takes account of parents' wishes and children's individual likes and dislikes. Children enhance their knowledge and understanding of a healthy diet by completing charts and graphs about favourite choices of healthy foods and then comparing their findings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe home because the childminder takes steps to minimise risks for children such as a fixed fire guard. Children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder helps the children understand how to keep themselves safe, both in and outside the home, for example, children take turns at being responsible to ensure it is safe to cross the road when walking home from school. This is with full supervision from the childminder. Children adhere to the measures the childminder puts in place to minimise risks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards and are appropriate to the children's age and stage of development. The childminder organises resources effectively to allow children to make independent choices and develop and extend their play, for example, adding the play dinosaurs to a game of animals to create an exciting and interesting game.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's policies and procedures are well developed and shared with parents. They underpin the good practice to safeguard children and promote their development. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and has a child protection policy in place. The childminder has a current first aid certificate.

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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 outstanding. Children are happy, confident and settled. The childminder’s enthusiastic, supportive approach encourages children to feel welcome and develop a sense of belonging. She knows the children very well and she effectively supports their individual needs. She takes into account their different ages and stages of development in planning activities. Children enjoy an extensive range of activities, including outings to places of interest, including the Lotherton Hall and Temple Newsam. Children develop their confidence and independence in the setting, because they are provided with sufficient challenges and the childminder acknowledges their achievements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make good progress in their learning and development. The good range of resources is used well to interest children. Children benefit from having a good relationship with the childminder. She interacts positively with the children and consistently communicates with them; this encourages their imaginative play and extends their learning. Children welcome the childminder's involvement in their play and respond affectionately to her. She knows the children well and devotes her time to them to enhance their sense of well-being and emotional stability. Photographs displaying children enjoying various activities enhance the child-centred environment and help children to feel proud of their projects.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's needs are met because the childminder is knowledgeable of their developmental needs. She prepares activities, to develop her practice and makes observations of children at play to identify any areas of support, for example, helping children to recognise letters and letter sounds. This enhances the quality of activities that are offered to the children, which are effectively planned to ensure full inclusion and all children's needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and the childminder meets their individual needs. She knows them well and spends time engaging in their play. Children develop a sense of fairness, which the childminder achieves through effective communication. She listens to them and encourages them to express themselves. The childminder offers an inclusive service and is knowledgeable on how to promote children's welfare.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well because of the good relationships fostered. They respect each other and are learning to take responsibility for their actions. Children are becoming aware of the local community, through regular outings to the park and places of interest in the local area. Children have opportunities to learn about the diversity of the wider world through a good selection of resources and activities that promote positive images.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder welcomes parents and works closely with them through effective communication. Regular, consistent sharing of information ensures high quality care. A flexible approach to parents' work commitments and needs regarding care hours ensures parents have reliable childcare and feel fully supported by the childminder.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a childminder who is committed to her work and enjoys children's achievements. The childminder has a very good approach to training and updating knowledge, however, she has not yet accessed the Birth to three matters. The childminder is completely dedicated to ensuring the children have an interesting and stimulating day whilst in her care. Children develop in a setting that is well organised, with consistent routines that allow flexibility to accommodate the children's individual needs. Children receive very good support to help them feel secure and confident.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures in place work well in keeping children healthy and in safeguarding their welfare. Positive relationships and good communication with parents contributes to meeting children’s needs well. Documentation meets requirements and is confidentially stored.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to complete an appropriate first aid course, obtain parental permission to administer medication and ensure any existing injuries to children are recorded. The childminder now has an appropriate first aid certificate which is displayed for parents, documentation is up to date and includes procedures for obtaining parents permission to administer medication and to record any existing injuries to children. This ensures the children are kept safe and free from harm.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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 complaint 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 good. 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):

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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 • continue to access training opportunities and training materials to further develop and promote high quality practice, for example, Birth to three matters.

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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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