Childminder, Out-of school day care in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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512184 Unique Reference Number 21 June 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 July 2001. She lives with her adult daughter. They live in a semi-detached house in the Moortown area of Leeds. There are shops, pre-school groups, toddler groups, primary schools, a park and bus stops within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 12 children of school age on roll. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 liquid soap and towels 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 is not in place for all children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy meals and snacks provided by the childminder. These are well balanced and encourage children to have fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder works in partnership with the parents to meet children's individual dietary needs and she provides them with sample menus, which have been created to take account of the needs of the children and the parents. 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 garden, where they can play and run freely and safely. The childminder promotes physical activity well in everyday routines, for example, she walks the children home from school and encourages outdoor play by providing them with a good range of equipment. Children discuss how they enjoy playing a game of football.

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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 for 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 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

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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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 good. Children are relaxed and settled in the warm, family atmosphere. They are happy and confidently choose toys and resources for themselves. 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 construction equipment to make small models and use their imaginations when making a house for the soft toys.

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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 after school whenever possible. Children develop their imaginations, as they dress up the dolls and invent stories for them with the soft animals. They make very good progress with the childminder, due to the attention they are given as they play. She constantly talks to them, asking effective questions and showing interest in their conversations about their day at school. The childminder also shows a good awareness of when to sit back and allow the children to play without interruption, to initiate their own ideas and develop their play. They make decisions about what to do and can relax with quiet activities if they wish.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. 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. 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 have disabilities or learning difficulties. Children have good opportunities to learn about diversity as they access resources, such as books, posters, dolls and jigsaws, which promote positive images. Children discuss different cultures and foods which some of the children do not eat for religious reasons.

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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 each day. New parents are 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 ensure 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 keeps 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’

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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 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 required to share documentation about the provision with the parents. The childminder has devised a detailed prospectus which shares extensive information about the provision, for example, policies and procedures, menus, activities and resources. A parents file is available to new parents and the childminder has devised and implemented information regarding the five outcomes and how they are promoted with the children. These developments positively promote information sharing with parents and ensure consistency of care for 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): • ensure written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment is in place.

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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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