Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY216604 Inspection date 06 July 2005 Inspector Jane Elizabeth O'Callaghan

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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 outstanding. 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 September 2002. She lives with her husband and three children aged twelve, five and three years. The childminder is within walking distance of local amenities such as school, park and shops. The extended dining area, play area, upstairs front bedroom, downstairs toilet and kitchen are registered for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children under 8 years.

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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 There are currently 7 children aged between on roll. Children are cared for on a full and part-time basis. The childminder has completed her NVQ level 3 in childcare and is a member of the local childminding group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy an excellent range of high quality activities, which promotes their good health. They have regular access to outdoor provision to enable them to extend and develop their physical skills. For example, the children have regular outings to the local park, access to sit on ride toys, larger play equipment and the use of movement to music and action songs. Children are very aware of their own physical needs, knowing that they need a drink after they have been active and are warm. They are extremely confident in expressing their needs, for example, when children are hungry, they ask very nicely for a snack and choose what they want. The children are offered a menu to look at and know to select healthy food, that is " good for them". For example, fresh fruit, raw and cooked fresh vegetables, pasta, yoghurts and drinks are available throughout the day. All children are encouraged to follow extensive routines in their personal care, and to

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Helping children to be healthy

understand the reasons why they wash their hands. This results in children independently accessing tissues for their noses and using separate towels in different colours to clean their hands and faces. Excellent hygiene practices are followed by the childminder during nappy changing and more personal care needs. The childminder has attended several courses and has policies in line with ensuring the children are in a healthy hygienic environment, for example, first aid course and health and hygiene. The childminder has very clear, effective procedures in place for dealing with sick and ill children, thereby limiting the possibility of cross infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The children are cared for in an environment which offers purposely well planned areas. The excellent facilities successfully meet children's individual needs. For example, if a child needs to sleep upstairs the childminder has a bedroom available with a travel cot and listening monitor. The childminder has an excellent approach in promoting children's safety both inside and outside, the home. Children move around freely and confidently and are rapidly developing their independence in a safe, child-centred environment. The childminder sensitively helps the children to take responsibility in keeping safe, for example by explaining about road and fire safety. Comprehensive checks on equipment and play areas are systematically carried out and these are recorded at regular intervals to ensure safety is monitored and maintained extremely effectively. This includes the use of the car for outings.

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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 The childminder takes all positive steps with the children to promote safety and prevent accidents in their play, through safe access to the resources. The children have a good awareness of the safety limits, which ensure they have freedom to take risks whilst learning effectively of dangers and ways to protect themselves. For example, the children are aware that the gate must be locked before playing outside. Potential hazards and relevant precautions are taken. For example, a clear and effective fire evacuation plan is shared with the children, regular checks on smoke alarms are undertaken and daily risks assessments are recorded. This ensures that children are in a safe and secure environment and are made aware of this through extensive participation in practising fire drills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are extremely well protected by the childminder who has a good understanding of child protection. There are detailed procedures in place to ensure children's welfare is paramount at all times. The childminder has attended several courses in regard to child protection, through completing her NVQ Level 3 in childcare. The childminder has certificates to show parents and a written procedure that is shown and signed by all prospective parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and relaxed and they thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and her family. The children relate with great enthusiasm to each other and are able to extend their social, physical and learning skills through regular visits to groups in the community and further a field. For example, they visit the seaside, tropical world, parks, farm and weekly outings to the toddler group that the childminder helps organise. These provide the children with an excellent range of experiences and challenges in interesting settings. The children are extremely eager to participate. The childminder is sensitive to their individual needs and offers a flexible child-led approach to the activities and resources they want to access. She skilfully adapts what she offers to ensure all the children take part. The younger children are involved in a variety of creative

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

resources, for example water, sand, paints, play dough and experience tactile activities through baking and sensory materials. This ensures that all ages and stages of children's development are being met. Children sit with the childminder and share a book, which fosters their listening skills and helps them recognise things that are familiar to them. There are positive, dedicated and caring relationships established, which promote children's confidence and communication skills. Children develop a strong sense of self, which is particularly evident with the children present. For example, the children are very sociable, involving all to join in with imaginary play at the party. Younger children have a extensive range of toys, equipment and activities available including interest baskets, baby gyms, hard cover books, soft toys, bricks. These are all at babies' height as are all pictures and posters. The childminder is able to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

encourage children's progress through play, ensuring they are interested and having fun. The children are continuing to learn and develop their skills and play, by the

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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 extensive training attended. For example, the childminder has completed Birth to three matters, persona dolls, foundation stage, equal opportunity and story sack training.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder offers the children an outstanding range of meaningful resources and activities that promote a positive insight of the wider world, and an awareness of differences. Children have regular access to the community which supports her approach. The childminder takes account of all the children's individual needs and this is shared with parents to ensure they are continually met. Behaviour is managed in a highly caring and sensitive way, which ensures the children have exceptionally good awareness of the boundaries in place. The childminder is consistent in her approach and the children write their own rules for both indoors, and outdoors. The children learn to negotiate and take responsibility for their behaviour especially the older children. Children share and take turns and care for each other by ensuring the toys they play with are safe and suitable. The children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are encouraged to make choices in their play and develop their independence. There are exceptional relationships with parents which contribute to the children's well-being. Parents views are valued and they are encouraged to visit the childminder before the child starts, so that they can make an informed choice in the care offered. Daily diaries are used with parents to share information regularly and effectively. Children have individual profiles, which parents participate in, throughout their stay with the childminder. The children's progress and development is recorded by the childminder by using " tracking books" and reports. These are accessible and given to parents when the child leaves. There are extensive policies and procedures in place which extend the information of the support and care provided, to children and these are all accessible to parents. Contracts of agreements are used effectively and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

reviewed regularly. Children's daily activities, routines, menus are displayed for parents to see, along with all policies, complaint procedures, fire evacuation procedure and certificate of registration.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is meticulously organised and efficient in all aspects of her provision. The children are welcomed into a safe and well resourced environment that benefits greatly their well-being. This enables the children to be inquisitive and happy, to initiate their play and learning and to develop accordingly. The children move around with extreme confidence and independence in a bright and cheerful environment. There are extremely detailed policies and procedures in place that support the quality

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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 of the childminding offered, all documents and records are stored securely and maintain confidentiality. The childminder continually extends her knowledge through attending intense training to enhance her skills and knowledge in all areas of childcare. She has completed her level 3 in childcare, is working towards NVQ level 4 and is also considering offering funded nursery education. She continues to attend further training on offer to widen her experience through Birth to Three Matters and Foundation Stage Training. She maintains a professional approach to her role as a childminder. The childminder is active in her community, as a representative of early years childcare provision. 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 improved all aspects of health and hygiene. She has purchased several flannels and uses different colours for children to wash and dry hands after going to toilet, playing outside, playing with messy play and also before meals. She has a detailed policy and procedure for health and hygiene, which is shown to parents. This ensures children are in a healthy environment and aware of all hygienic procedures.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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