Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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319586 Unique Reference Number 28 March 2007 Inspection date Jane Elizabeth O'Callaghan 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 1981 and lives in the town of Otley, on the outskirts of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and currently has eight children on roll. The childminder takes and collects from local schools and visits parks and places of interest in the local community.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of local childminding group and uses the toy library.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children stay healthy through the childminder providing healthy and nutritious snacks. For example, children have raisins, fruit, fresh vegetables and breadsticks. Parents provide their children's main meals, which are stored appropriately. Children have access to drinks throughout

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Helping children to be healthy

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 day, they can have the choice between juice or water. The childminder cares for children with dietary needs and these are recorded in the registration details.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has written policies and procedures in health and hygiene, which she shows to parents and she has also attended a hygiene course. She encourages all children to wash their hands with soap and disposable paper towels, after outdoor play and going to the toilet. She also explains to the children the importance of doing this and how it stops you getting poorly.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a sickness procedure if children become ill whilst in her care, the children would be made comfortable and their parents contacted. This procedure, along with the seclusion policy she has, is shown and discussed with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a medication and accident policy, which are read by parents. She also has books to record the giving of medication and any accidents. All are completed correctly and signed and read by all parents, ensuring children are in a healthy environment. The childminder however, does not have an up to date first aid certificate and this was discussed in depth. She has a first aid box in the kitchen and one she takes with her on outings, both are checked regularly.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that toys and equipment are cleaned regularly and also encourages the children to help with this making it into an activity. This provides children with clean and safe toys and equipment whilst in the care of the childminder. The children can rest and sleep in a travel cot or on settees at the children's choice and she provides each child with clean separate sheets daily.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive physical play regularly through going out for walks within the local community and in the outdoor area within the childminder's home. The children can play outside on a good range of toys and activities that develop their physical skills. For example, a seesaw, slide, bicycles, prams, balls, golf clubs and two play houses.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has all the information on 'Birth to three matters' framework and is hoping to access a course in the near future. However, she feels that the experience of bringing up her own children and working closely with parents will help her. She explained that younger children would get pureed food and whatever parents wished. The childminder has a procedure she follows when changing children's nappies which involves wiping down the mat before and afterwards and disposing of the nappy appropriately. This ensures that children's needs and parents' wishes are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is warm and welcoming with children's work displayed, giving the home a child friendly environment. The childminder uses all of downstairs and the areas used are spacious and well planned. The lounge is mainly used for children to sleep and storing of toys, the dining kitchen is used for general play including messy play and the preparation of snacks, and there is a good outdoor area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

In the dining room the children can access a good range of age appropriate toys and can ask the childminder if they wish to play with toys that are stored in the lounge area. The childminder has a good range of equipment for younger children. For example, buggies, a listening monitor,

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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 travel cot, car seats and feeding chairs. All these are checked for safety regularly and this provides the younger children with suitable equipment, whilst at the childminders.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is safety conscious, she practises and records fire drills, locks the doors and keeps keys to hand, asks visitors to show identity prior to entering and has all relevant documentation and permission to use her car for childminding. The childminder has a written safety policy, which is shown and signed by parents prior to taking children on visits in the car, photograph taking, walking and using public transport. The childminder also has policies for uncollected children and lost children, which parents are asked to read before the childminder starts caring for their children. This ensures children are cared for in a safe environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has some knowledge and understanding of child protection, this was gained through attending part one of child protection and she is in the process of continuing training in this area. She has written policies and procedures to show parents and is aware of the importance of working with parents, other agencies and caring for the children. This means that the children's care and welfare is paramount whilst with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a good selection of equipment, activities and toys for all ages and stages of a child's development. She encourages the younger children to access any toys they wish to play with. For example, children are seen to play with dolls, a pushchair and books. All toys are stored in the dining area and lounge and if children cannot get to the toy they want, they can ask the childminder who will take them into the lounge to choose. The childminder also gives children the opportunity to do baking, lots of creative work and pictures are displayed and also given to parents to take home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good relationship with children and constantly joins in playing with the children and talking to them about what they have done at pre-school and how many sandwiches they have left to eat. This develops both the children's mathematical and social skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are given daily access to outdoor activities, both by going on walks within the community and also playing in the rear garden. The children have a good selection of toys and activities to play with outside. For example, a slide, seesaw, bicycles, dolls, pushchairs, bats and balls. The childminder visits the local library and other childminders in the area. Children also have a good choice of dressing up clothes and enjoy playing with the dolls and buggies in the outdoor play area, they take it in turns to have the buggy and pretend to be mummy. This develops the children's imagination.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder promotes the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She has all the relevant information, which she has read. She has a good selection of toys and activities for this age. For example, soft toys, shape sorters, large piece jigsaws, push-a-longs and rattles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has good resources that reflect equal opportunities. She regularly celebrates different festivals and the children are keen to tell about celebrating Chinese New Year. She also asked the children if they wished to make Mothers day cards and all of them did and took them home. She has books, dolls and jigsaws to reflect all areas of equal opportunities. The

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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 childminder has a written policy which is shown to parents and explains that while children are in her care they will all be treated equally regardless of their culture, age, gender and disability. This helps to ensure that all children are treated with respect and equality, by both adults and other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has had some experience of working with children with learning disabilities and difficulties. This is through previous employment in a school and as a nurse. She has a written policy to show all parents and is fully aware of the importance of working closely with both parents and outside agencies when required. For example, speech therapists, physiotherapists and health visitors.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a written policy and procedure on behaviour management, which she shows to parents and asks them to read. She uses distraction and explains to children why the behaviour is unacceptable. The childminder gives positive praise. For example, saying to children 'well done for sharing' 'thank you' and 'please'. The older children have spoken with the childminder about house rules which include, for example, sharing, respecting each other and being polite. This encourages children to respect each other and with the childminder as a good role model the children are well behaved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good relationships with all parents. For example, she has written letters from some parents, praising her for the care that their children receive. She shows all the parents the policies and asks them to read them. She has a complaint procedure that meets new regulations and that parents are made aware of and is available to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder gives daily verbal feedback, talking to the parents about what the child has done in the day, what they have eaten and how long they have slept. She has written agreements and contracts for each child with all the required information. For example, parents contact numbers, addresses, permission for outings, medication and allergies.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures confidentiality is maintained and encourages parents if they have any concerns to talk to her. She will do this at a separate time, on their own when it is convenient to both, ensuring it is dealt with in a confidential and professional manner. This ensures that the children are cared for according to the parents' wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is at present trying to access courses including first aid, child protection part two and 'Birth to three matters' training, which will ensure that she provides a professional and caring service to the children whom she cares for.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps all documentation and all is completed accurately. She keeps all records and documentation in a confidential manner away from both children and adults, however it is easily accessible if required for parents and inspections.

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Organisation

She displays both her registration certificate and insurance for parents to see. She is fully aware of the requirement to inform Ofsted of any changes in her circumstances.

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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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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to complete a number of recommendations. She was asked to extend resources, enabling children to learn about the diversity of the wider world. The childminder has extended her resources through obtaining more books that depict different cultures, stories about children with disabilities, jigsaws and also she encourages the children to celebrate different festivals, including Chinese New Year, Easter, Mothers day and Diwali. She introduces the children to different cultural foods when celebrating the festivals. This develops children's knowledge and understanding of the wider world and the community around them.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to obtain information regarding Child Protection Procedures. She has a fully written policy on child protection which includes the contact number and procedure to take if there are any concerns. This is shown to parents when their child begins with the childminder. This ensures children are cared for in a safe environment.

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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 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): • ensure an appropriate first aid course which includes first aid for children is completed.

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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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