Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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319537 Unique Reference Number 14 May 2007 Inspection date Linda Filewood 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 was registered in 1986. She lives with her husband and three adult children in Chapel Allerton, a suburb 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 is currently minding 12 children, all on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of physical activities, which contribute to their good health and improve their physical development. They enjoy, for example, digging in the sand and riding on wheeled toys in the garden as well as playing rounders and football. Regular walks to school,

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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 local parks and playgrounds, where they play on larger equipment, such as scramble nets, improve children’s physical skills. The childminder is fully aware of signs of tiredness in the children and knows when they need to stop for a drink or a rest.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are competently cared for in a clean environment and they understand the importance of good hygiene and personal care. The risk of cross infection is well considered as children use their own towels, flannels and toothbrushes, and know why they must wash their hands before eating. A clearly written sickness policy is shared with parents, so that they understand when they should not bring their children to help stop the spread of infection between minded children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are helped to understand which foods are good for them through well planned activities and discussion. Drinking water is readily accessible to them and they are offered a choice of juices with their food. The childminder takes account of children's individual dietary requirements when planning her menus. Children are offered a range of nutritious meals and snacks that promote their good health. They enjoy sociable meal times which are taken round the table and good manners are encouraged.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play safely as the childminder ensures that all reasonable safety precautions are in place to reduce the risk of injury. For instance, a safety gate is in place at the bottom of the stairs and a fire blanket is positioned in the kitchen. Resources are easily accessible to the children and they move around safely, freely and independently. Children enjoy a very wide range of good quality toys and equipment, appropriate for their age and development, and the childminder removes any broken pieces from play. The childminder raises the children's awareness of how to keep themselves safe and fully considers the children’s safety outside the home. For instance, fire drills are regularly practised, especially when new children start, and children know to hold hands when out walking.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children’s safety and welfare is competently protected. The childminder has all the required parental permissions in place to take children on outings, transport them in a vehicle and obtain emergency treatment, should it be required. She has attended further training on child protection issues to ensure that her knowledge on child protection procedures is secure. Parents are well advised of the effective systems in place for the safe collection of children and the procedure that would be followed should they not be collected, giving them confidence that their children are well looked after.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are settled and very happy in the childminder's house. They are confident to make decisions in their play, and are offered an excellent range of activities which provide challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children relate well to each other and to the childminder. She supports and encourages their learning exceptionally well by skilfully using open questions to encourage them to think. The childminder uses the Foundation Stage curriculum to plan activities, such as topic work on the life-cycle of the butterfly, to promote children’s learning. Children are involved, interested and thoroughly enjoy their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 successfully encourages the children's communication skills and they are confident to ask her for help when needed. For instance, they ask her to check they are putting the right shoe on the right foot before going out to play. Children enjoy stories and the childminder supports their learning, for instance, in creating an ant farm, with both fictional and non-fictional books to extend the children's enjoyment of the subject. They enjoy exploring an extremely wide range of activities which contribute to their creativity, such as dancing on a dance mat, playing instruments, painting, baking and model making. Children use their imagination very well during role play activities and delight in learning to using hand puppets. The childminder uses games skilfully to add to play opportunities which teach children about

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

number and colour, as well as improving their concentration skills and teaching them to take turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder increases the children’s awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. She provides a wide range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world. For example, the children celebrate the Chinese New Year by making lanterns, eating noodles and visiting the Chinese supermarket. Children learn about their local environment and the changing seasons as they enjoy nature walks looking at snow footprints in winter and flowers, such as bluebells, in spring.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder recognises children as individuals and meets their differing needs well. She is interested in what the children do and say and provides them with good quality interactions. Children's art work is valued and well displayed showing how the childminder values the children's creativity. Their behaviour is excellent; they are polite, courteous and play together harmoniously. Children's self-esteem is improved by the childminder through good use of meaningful praise and encouragement, and they are confident and independent.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good as the childminder works well with them to ensure children receive continuity in their care. The childminder notes the day's activities in a daily journal which is shared with parents. An effective settling in period ensures children are comfortable with the childminder before parents leave them for the first time. Parents are well informed about the service the childminder offers as they are given copies of clearly written policies and procedures that support the childminding practice. However, the written complaints procedure does not include detail of the timescale for resolving complaints or Ofsted's role in the procedure. The childminder actively seeks parents comments on the care she provides and they are very confident that their children are being well looked after.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are comfortable in the childminder's well-organised home. They are easily able to access play equipment, and have their own named drawers to store their pictures in. As a result, children gain independence and confidence in making choices in their play. Activities are well thought out, planned in advance and based around the children's interests. Children are competently supervised at all times and older children given space and support to do their homework. The childminder shows good commitment to extending her knowledge, enhancing the service she offers to parents and children.

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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 The childminder effectively practises her childminding policies and procedures to promote the welfare, care and safety of children. All required documentation, such as accident and medication records are in place and well maintained to safeguard the children's welfare. Parents are well informed of their child's activities and the childminder and parents cooperate well together in caring for the 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 it was recommended that the childminder develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues in the event of an allegation of abuse being made against herself or others in her home. The childminder is now fully aware of these issues offering protection to herself and her family.

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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): • provide more detailed information in the complaints procedure so that parents are aware of the timescale for resolving complaints and Ofsted's role in the procedure.

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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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