Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY251481 Inspection date 26 April 2005 Inspector Jacqueline Patricia Walter

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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 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 was registered in 2003. She works from the home of another registered childminder. The setting is in an area of Leeds known as Headingley and is within walking distance of shops and parks and schools. Toilet facilities on the first floor and the whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time

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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 when working on her own and ten children when working with another childminder. She is currently minding seventeen children on both a part time and full time basis. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. There is a family pet dog and cat in the setting. The childminder supports children that have English as an additional language. She is currently a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a warm and clean home where they are developing a good understanding of the importance of good hygiene through effective practice. The childminder takes account of children's special dietary requirements and children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet through being offered a wide selection of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks which include fresh fruit. Children are developing understanding of the effects of activities on their bodies through the childminder encouraging regular drinking and times to rest after physical activities. They are developing good physical skills and control of their bodies through both indoor and outdoor activities. For example, they confidently use wheeled toys, dance to musical tapes and join in with action songs and rhymes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to freely and independently move around a clean and very welcoming home where positive steps are taken to identify and minimise most risks. However smoke alarms are not fitted on every level of the home. The childminder discusses and reinforces issues such as road safety whilst taking children on small walks in the local environment, this enables them to develop an understanding on how to keep themselves safe when outside the home. Children are able to independently select activities from a excellent and stimulating range of good quality toys and resources. The childminder has good systems in place to ensure her toys and equipment, are kept clean and well maintained. She has organised her toys and activities, collating age appropriate activities in basket and boxes, this allows the children safe and independent access. The childminder has all the required documents in place to ensure children's welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

For example, she has drawn up an emergency evacuation procedure and holds a current first aid certificate. She has suitable knowledge and understanding of child protection signs and symptoms however the guidance she holds may not be up to date.

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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 settle extremely well. They have a superb sense of belonging and have a very secure and extremely relaxed relationship with the childminder. Those that are very young are helped to settle quickly by childminders that are sensitive to individual needs. All the children are happy, eager to learn and confident to try new experiences. They are able to freely move around the premises and choose from an excellent and stimulating range of toys and play materials, which are easily available, and positively encourage skills such as choice and decision making. The activities and high quality adult-child interactions ensure children are developing in all areas of learning. For example, by dressing up in fairy outfits, dancing to musical tapes and accessing the outdoor area and equipment on a regular basis, their imagination and physical skills are significantly enhanced, and they are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

confidently and enthusiastically developing skills such as counting, whilst reading books and participating in threading activities, quite often supported by adults on a one to one basis. Children are learning about the local environment and wider world through stimulating first hand experiences such as small walks in the local community and observing and discussing the wild life. For example, they became engrossed for a significant period of time, watching and discussing the squirrel who was collecting nuts in the childminders garden.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have access to a good range of activities and resources to promote positive awareness of the wider world, for example dual language books, cultural dolls and art and craft activities, creating awareness of different cultures. They learn about the community that they live in through walks in the local environment. Children are valued and respected as individuals, their needs are successfully met as they follow their normal routines as discussed with their parents. The children behave very well. They show care and concern for each other. For example, a child tried to ensure another child had his hood up when dressing for outdoor play. The childminder manages children’s behaviour positively and consistently and according to child’s level of understanding and maturity. Her realistic expectations, praise and encouragement helps build children's self esteem and encourages them

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Space and resources and time are organised effectively to encourage children to feel

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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 safe, secure, confident and part of the family. This enables them to confidently and independently access toys, resources and different areas of the home. The childminder regularly works with another childminder. Her adult child ratios are up-held, which ensures children have appropriate adult support. This contributes to good continuity of care of children. Policies are mainly used effectively to promote the welfare and care of children. However arrangements for administering medication does not always include prior written consent from parents and some accident records do not hold parents signatures. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection the childminder has taken positive steps to prevent the spread of infection in children and in taking appropriate measures when they are ill. She has devised a sickness policy which includes, verbally informing parents at their initial meetings about her policy regarding the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious and of the measures she takes if a child becomes ill whilst in her care. These are; asking parents to keep children at home if they are ill or have infectious conditions for their doctors recommended period of time. Obtaining emergency contact numbers and prior written consent from parents in order to contact them if children become ill or to seek emergency advice and treatment.

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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): • ensure smoke alarms are fitted in all levels of the house, and up to date information on local child protection procedures, including contact numbers are easily available • ensure all accident records are signed by parents and written permission is

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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 obtained from all parents before administering medication, in all cases.

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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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