Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY262929 Inspection date 19 August 2005 Inspector Thecla Grant

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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 lives with her husband and 2 children aged 5 and 9-years-old. They live in a three bedroom semi detached house. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered for no more than 5 children under the age of 8 at any one time. There are 3 children under the age of 5 and three children over 5-year-old on roll. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children.

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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 The childminder attends the local toddler groups. The childminder is a member of the Local and National Childminding Associations.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children effectively stay healthy because the childminder follows current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines. For example, she is active in promoting good hygiene with the children by ensuring they wash their hands when they come in from school. Older children have a good understanding of personal hygiene. For example, they understand that they can contract germs if they do not wash their hands after going to the toilet and before eating. Children benefit from the childminder’s skill to act in their best interest of they are ill. Children enjoy the nourishing meals provided by the childminder. These are varied and exciting so children can experience new tastes in accordance with their dietary needs. Such as, Chinese chicken, Caribbean patties, pitta bread sandwiches. The childminder has completed a food and nutrition course and is fully aware of healthy

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Helping children to be healthy

foods. She actively promotes healthy living by displaying posters and other information regarding good nutrition on her parent's notice board. Children are given drinks at set times during the day, therefore miss out on independently accessing them. Children are active, rested and protected. For example, the children play happily in the garden; they expertly manoeuvre the scooter around the path and grassed area. They skilfully climb and swing on the climbing frame. As the children play outdoors the childminder rocks the younger child to sleep by pushing the buggy to and fro. As the child sleeps the childminder covers her with a blanket.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are competently cared for in a warm and welcoming indoor and outdoor environment, with very good evidence of their play. Space and resources are effectively used; children happily access the toys and equipment provided from low standing shelves and toy boxes in the play room. These are in good condition, safe and provide a sufficient challenge to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to effectively keep themselves safe and avoid accidental injury because the childminder actively encourages them to. They know the procedure for evacuation in an emergency which the childminder practises with them. She actively seeks to provide a generally good level of safety and security in her home. Most safety is in place, however, the fire guard is not completely secure to the wall. Children are kept safe on outings because the childminder fully implements her safety procedures. For example, she obtains consent from their parent's before

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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 taking the children out. The childminder effectively plans her journey with the children and teaches them road safety. Children are protected because the childminder understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are actively involved in a broad range of activities which support their language, mathematical thinking and imagination. Older children are self motivated and respond excellently to challenges. For example, they complete difficult puzzles and learn new games. The childminder is highly supportive. She helps the children to achieve their goal by giving praise and encouragement; this contributes to building their self esteem. Children are interested in their environment and keen to do and find things out for themselves. Younger children play for long periods of time with an imaginative range of props and materials. They explore and discover their immediate environment. For example, they practice their walking skills in the baby walker, they happily bang the plastic pots and spoons they are playing with and their interest is stimulated by the building blocks which they try to build by banging them together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have a flourishing relationship with the childminder and their peers. They are settled and confident in their environment. The childminder is committed to extending the children’s knowledge and understanding of their local community. They benefit from her resourcefulness through visits to local playgroups and library. Older children enjoy the visit from the fire officers, and nature walks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder is proactive in building a relationship with the parents. She has attended a short course to enhance her existing skills; which she effectively implements to positively benefit the children in her care. Parents have clear information about her service and the progress of their children. For example, the childminder gives regular feedback to parents; she records younger children's progress in daily diaries and display useful information on the parent's notice board. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to special needs. The children's knowledge and understanding of the world is expertly fostered through cultural celebrations, for example, Chinese New Year, Rakhi. The children freely access resources to include positive image of race, disability and culture. They thrive in their environment because the childminder is very skilful at adapting her time

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Helping children make a positive contribution

between them. Younger children are acknowledged and affirmed. For example, the childminder plays games such as, coming to get you, hide and seek, parachutes and clap hand games. Older children fully understand and implement the house rules.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder makes excellent use of the space and other resources in her home so that children are well cared for and supported during their time with her. She has a robust arrangement for evaluating her provision. For example, the childminder has devised an evaluation form for parent's comments, which she uses to compliment her service. The childminder is highly motivated toward her personal development, she attends relevant training courses and workshops. She uses this knowledge effectively to provide children with a wide range of learning experiences. The childminder competently organises her day so the adult child ratio positively supports the children's care, learning and play. This has an outstanding effect on their ability to access quiet and active play. Policies and procedures work positively in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment achievement and ability to

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Organisation

make a positive contribution. The provision effectively meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked improve safety and documentation. Since the last inspection the childminder has improved systems for the collection of children from school, she uses a double buggy and has reigns for children who need it as well as teaching the children road safety. The childminder has restricted the children's access to the gas fire by erecting a fire guard; however, this is not secured to the wall. The childminder has devised a consent form for parents with regard to emergency treatment, which they have signed. The register is up to date and accurate. Children's safety has improved.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • make sure children can freely access drinks throughout the day • make sure gas appliances and fittings do not pose a hazard to children (fire guard).

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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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