Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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320303 Unique Reference Number 13 April 2007 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 1998. She lives in a detached house in the Woodlesford area of Leeds, close to local schools, shops and bus services. She lives with her husband and four children aged 16, 14, 13 and 9 years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The lounge, dining kitchen and upstairs toilet are used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed back garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children under 8 years and there are currently 8 children on roll who are cared for on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a pet dog, a rabbit and fish.

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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 are cared for in a clean and well maintained environment. For example, children play happily on the floor without risk to their health because the childminder has effective cleaning routines in place. Overall, procedures and routines that support health promotion and protect children from illness are sound. For instance, children are provided with individual wipes or towels and liquid soap to wash their hands, thus reducing the possibility of cross infection. Sickness procedures are clear and informative and the childminder shares these with parents to ensure that children are protected from illness. Records of accidents and of medications given to children are suitably maintained. However, written permission to seek emergency medical treatment for children is not in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the healthy meals and snacks provided by the childminder. These are well balanced and ensure that children receive a significant proportion of their 'five-a-day' fruit and vegetables required for good health. For example, children have a selection of fruit, such as grapes, apples, melon and pineapple at snack time and are encouraged to try the fruit and talk about the health benefits. Children comment on how healthy foods make their teeth strong and their skin look nice. Main meals are nutritious, home cooked and include a variety of fresh vegetables. Children are frequently offered drinks so they are not at risk of becoming thirsty and dehydrated as they play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the health benefits of regular exercise and daily outdoor play. They make good use of the park and the local walks, where they can play and run freely and safely. The childminder promotes physical activity well in everyday routines, for example, she chooses not to use the car when visiting local shops and the library, ensuring that children benefit from fresh air and exercise. During the holidays children participate in outings to the seaside and to theme parks, enabling them to share a wider variety of outdoor experiences.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children confidently choose toys and equipment from the good range and variety available. They are provided with toys and equipment that are clean, safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. The majority of toys are stored at child height which enables children to be independent, other resources are rotated by the childminder to give the children regular access to the full variety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a home where positive steps are taken to ensure the setting is safe, including risk assessments for many aspects of the home and care offered. As a result, the risk of accidental injury is minimised and children are able to play safely. The childminder has good regard to the safety of children both indoors and outdoors. For example, responsible road safety practices are encouraged as children learn about the dangers of the road and how to cross in safety. The childminder provides parents with leaflets to enable them to see how she introduces the children to road safety. The childminder has a fire evacuation policy and plan, which is practised with the children so they are learning how to keep themselves safe in the event of a fire.

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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 The childminder is aware of her duty to protect children and would follow the local safeguarding children guidelines if necessary. She has a policy relating to child protection which is shared with the children's parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good variety of activities that are well organised to promote individual development. The childminder encourages children to take an active part in choosing what they want to do, ensuring there is an interesting variety of resources arranged each day to invite children to investigate and explore. For example, children use the good variety of creative resources as they cut and stick to make interesting shapes and pictures. Resources are used well by the childminder to encourage children to develop everyday skills. For instance, children enjoy looking at books and using the construction toys which develops their concentration, imagination and manipulative skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder ensures that children have a good variety of play experiences. They play outdoors or go for walks or visits to the park, every day. The childminder organises a structured activity most days, which she discusses with children to ensure they are interested and to incorporate their ideas. For example, children are making papier-maché pig money boxes and have an animated discussion with the childminder and each other about how they want to decorate these and what they are doing to make them. The childminder provides good support, for instance, showing a child how to spread the glue more evenly, and praises children's efforts consistently. This means that children are proud of the end results and feel a sense of achievement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are developing a sense of place and learn about where they live through regular outings around the local environment. They visit the park, shops and socialise with other children. Their understanding of the wider world is supported as they use a variety of resources representative of other cultures. The childminder promotes positive behaviour. Children learn right from wrong and about sharing as they play with the toys together. This ensures they play harmoniously and learn to be kind to each other. Older children are very good at helping the younger ones as they set up toys for them, such as the train track. They receive regular praise and positive reinforcement from the childminder, who acts as a good role model as she says 'please' and 'thank you' to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures she gathers relevant information so that she knows the children’s likes, dislikes and needs and can therefore offer a good standard of care. All children are treated as individuals and with respect helping them to feel good about themselves. The childminder has attended training and is able to support children who may have disabilities or learning difficulties.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are fully informed about the care the childminder provides; she shares all the necessary records and information with parents. The childminder ensures parents are kept informed of children's progress as she gives them verbal feedback and uses individual profiles for each child. These profiles enable children to reflect on their time with the childminder through looking at a selection of their creative work and photographs of visits and activities. New parents are

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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 encouraged to visit the home prior to their child being looked after, ensuring the childminder knows the child's daily routine and individual needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Good record keeping procedures ensures children's details are up to date and kept confidentially, ensuring their individual needs are met effectively. Written policies and procedures are consistently applied and made available to parents. The childminder is motivated and committed to training and keeping up to date with current childcare practices. She has a good knowledge and understanding of the National Standards, is familiar with the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework, and uses her knowledge of child development to plan interesting activities for the children.

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Organisation

Children make good progress in the care of the childminder, who is well organised and child-focused. The childminder is effective in planning and organising the daily routines for children. She ensures the play space is safe and interesting, which enables children to move around freely and access the range of toys and resources independently.

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Organisation

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 the childminder was requested to obtain a list of notifiable diseases. A detailed list is now in place and shared with the parents. This enables the childminder and the parents to work together and maintain the health and welfare of the children.

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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 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 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): • obtain written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment 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 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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