Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

319601 Unique Reference Number 24 May 2007 Inspection date Linda Filewood Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1989 and works with an assistant. She lives with her husband, one teenage and two adult sons in Horsforth, a suburb of Leeds. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time when minding on her own and eight children when working with an assistant. She is currently minding six children, all on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has one pet cat and two terrapins.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected from becoming ill as the childminder puts into practice adequate hygiene procedures. However, the risk of cross-contamination is not fully considered when children sleep or dry their hands. Children are helped to learn about good hygiene procedures in their

p.2

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 self-care and are reminded to wash their hands after using the toilet. Parents are advised that they should not bring sick children to protect the health of others. Children are suitably protected if they become ill or have an accident. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has appropriate parental permissions and records in place regarding the administration of medication to children and seeking of emergency treatment. All accidents are clearly recorded and parents sign to confirm that they have been told about the accident.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The food provided by the childminder promotes the children's good health and ensures that they enjoy a varied and nutritious diet. Children help themselves to drinks throughout the day, especially when playing out. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children's requirements to meet their dietary needs.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Garden games and regular visits to local parks and playgrounds improve children's physical skills. They enjoy, for example, bouncing in the bouncy castle and playing football in the garden. The childminder recognises signs of tiredness in the children and ensures that children's home routines for rest and sleep are followed.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a suitably secure environment as the childminder ensures that most safety precautions are in place. They are beginning to understand how to keep themselves safe by regularly practising the fire drill and the childminder maintains their safety outside the home. Children are able to move freely around the areas used for minding as the layout of the indoor and outdoor space gives the childminder and her assistant clear supervision of them, particularly when they are sleeping. Children independently select activities from the toys and equipment that are suitable for their age and stage of development. For instance, they choose a book to look at, which is a 'good story', when needing a rest from energetic outdoor play. However, sufficient toys are not always readily accessible to them indoors so that they can play together and this limits their play opportunities. The large garden is safe and children enjoy a wide variety

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of outdoor equipment, such as wheeled toys and a tent.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder satisfactorily safeguards the children's welfare as she is aware of the signs and symptoms of possible abuse. She is clear about the appropriate procedures to follow should she have a concern. Effective systems are in place for the safe collection of children.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are relaxed and friendly towards one another. Warm relationships are evident between the children and the childminder's family. Children are supported in becoming independent as they freely choose between a suitable variety of toys, books and activities and easily move between indoor and outdoor play. Children are confident to ask help from the childminder when needed, in doing a hard jigsaw, for instance. She offers appropriate encouragement and praise which raises their levels of self-esteem and confidence. Communication skills are developing as the children chat to each other at mealtimes, which are taken around the table, and by the use of open questions by the childminder.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a satisfactory range of activities which contribute adequately to their development. The childminder has started to record the children's achievements so that she has a clearer understanding of their differing abilities and can offer support when needed.

p.3

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 Children are beginning to learn about counting and colour through everyday play with appropriate encouragement from the childminder. They select and look at books from a suitable, easily accessible range. Some opportunity for creativity is available; they paint and draw but do not have ready access to resources to encourage role play, such as dressing up clothes or a play kitchen. Children enjoy music and movement and are encouraged to use their senses by listening to the sound of the birds in the garden. They enjoy the short walk to the park and visit local farms, extending their enjoyment with discussion afterwards, which also improves the children's communication skills.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a sufficient range of resources to promote a positive view of the wider world. She increases children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others mainly through discussion during play. Outings are planned into the daily routine and are used effectively to help children learn to appreciate their local environment.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play alongside each other successfully; they are generally well behaved and happy. They are supported in their understanding of right and wrong and respond well to gentle reminders about sharing. Behaviour management is discussed with parents before children start attending to ensure children have consistent boundaries. Children are confident and are beginning to understand their own needs; they help themselves to drinks from their own water bottles and older children independently visit the toilet.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder obtains sufficient information from parents to ensure children's individual needs are met and the care they receive is consistent with home routines. Daily verbal exchanges of information ensure that both the childminder and parents are kept well informed about their children. Parents are verbally informed about the service the childminder offers, including the procedure should they have a complaint or concern, but are not informed of how to contact Ofsted nor their role in the complaints procedure.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are settled and comfortable with their daily routines in the childminder's home. As a result, they are becoming independent and confident to make choices in their play. The childminder uses her assistant appropriately to offer extra supervision for the children, especially when sleeping. The environment is safe and children have opportunity for indoor and outdoor free-flow play. The childminder's practice satisfactorily supports the welfare, care and safety of children. Parents are sufficiently informed about the service she offers and their child's daily activities, which contributes to continuity in their care, and confidentiality is respected. The childminder shows commitment to ongoing professional development and has attended a variety of courses and workshops to extend her knowledge and benefit the children.

p.4

Organisation

All records and registers required for the efficient and safe management of the provision are in place. They are easily accessible and appropriately maintained. However, the register of attendance shows contracted hours not actual arrival and departure times and is not completed until the end of the day. The new assessment system of children's achievements, recently put in place, enables the childminder to recognise areas of for individual development so that children continue to make progress in their learning. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.4

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

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder develop the range of resources to reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. The childminder has now sufficiently improved her range of resources which reflect diversity, raising children's awareness of the wider world.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to obtain prior consent from parents to seek emergency medical treatment. This permission is now obtained from parents at the time of placement to further enhance the care of their children and promote their safety in case of accident or illness.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 consistent practice to minimise the risk of a spread of infection, for example, by providing separate bedding and hand towels • improve the range of resources readily available for young children, so that they can make choices about their play • provide parents with more detailed information about the complaints procedure, so that they are aware of how to contact Ofsted and their role in the procedure • ensure that the attendance register is accurately completed at the time of the children's arrival and departure.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5