Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 320064 Inspection date 16 June 2005 Inspector Jacqueline Patricia Walter

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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 1996. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and ten in Alwoodley, which is an area of Leeds, in West Yorkshire. Toilet facilities and a first floor bedroom and the whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a pet Guinea pig. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children aged between two and six years on a part time basis. The childminder walks to the local school to collect children. She attends the

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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 local carer and toddler drop in club regularly. The childminder supports children with English as an additional language. She is a committee member of her local childminding group and a member of the National Childminding Association

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows good and appropriate health and hygiene policies and procedures. For example, she has in place a very good sickness policy which is written and shared with parents. The implementation of this prevents the spread of infection and ensures there are excellent arrangements in place to care for children if they become ill. Children are developing a very good understand of the importance of health and hygiene through the childminders sensitive discussion and through participating in activities which promote this knowledge. For example, they help to clean outdoor toys and equipment and ensure they are suitable to use. Children follow good routines of personal hygiene and even young children know when its appropriate to wash their hands. For example, a two-year-old purposely reminded the childminder of the need to wash hands, as she was accompanied to the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy and have excellent opportunities to participate in a good range of outdoor activities, both in the garden and during outings. This positively promotes their general good heath and stimulates their physical development. They enjoy the freedom of running and jumping in the local park or using an indoor play centre. In addition they have regular access to a good selection of outdoor equipment, which they can pull, push or ride. This helps them develop their physical skills. The childminder knows the children very well and is familiar in recognising signs for their individual needs. For example, she knows that a particular child enjoys and requires lots of physical activity and acts on this knowledge, by planning and supporting appropriate periods of activity and rest. Children are learning about healthy eating and have access to a wide range of nutritious foods. For example, pasta dishes, cheese, fish, vegetables and fruit

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Helping children to be healthy

snacks. They enjoy participating in shopping with the childminder for fresh fruit and enjoy baking activities, which helps them to develop excellent knowledge and understanding of healthy eating. The childminder discusses the children's dietary needs with their parents and they work effectively together to ensure the children's special dietary needs and wishes are successfully met. The children enjoy regular drinks throughout the day. More able children are encouraged to gain a good awareness of their own needs and are able to independently select drinks from a drinks dispenser in the refrigerator. Younger children are actively and consistently encouraged by the childminder to drink plenty.

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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

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to freely and safely move around an extremely clean and very well maintained home, where positive steps are taken to identify and minimise hazards in most areas. The childminder has however overlooked one aspect of fire safety and has not fitted a smoke alarm on all levels of her home. Children are supervised very well at all times and the childminder provides an excellent balance between the freedom to explore and the setting of safe limits. For example, a young child was allowed to climb on a chair to wash her hands at the kitchen sink, whilst the childminder stood closely by monitoring her safety. Children are encouraged to be familiar with safety procedures in the setting through the childminders sensitive explanations and general rules of her home. For example, the childminder discusses with children the reasons why smaller equipment is stored in the porch area so

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

younger children cannot access it. In addition to this, leaflets and posters are provided for the older children which enable them to develop a secure understanding of why and how to keep themselves and others safe. The childminder takes very positive steps to reduce hazards and eliminates risks to children when on outings. For example, she takes a mini first aid kit and mobile phone with her on all trips and completes a risk assessment on outings to unfamiliar venues. Children are gaining a very good awareness of safety outside the home through following the childminder's sensible procedures. For example, they know they must hold hands with the childminder before crossing the road. The children are very warmly welcomed into this child-friendly environment and as a result they are developing an excellent sense of belonging. They are able to very easily access rooms that are organised and prepared to create a safe environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

They can also access an excellent range of stimulating, well maintained, age appropriate toys and play equipment which is regularly checked and cleaned. Children's welfare is extremely well protected. The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of child protection, including the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow if she has any concerns. She has all the required documentation and contact numbers to ensure children's welfare is safely guarded and promoted. For example, an emergency evacuation procedure is in place and practiced regularly and children's individual records are regularly updated.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and confident in the childminder's home. They demonstrate an excellent sense of belonging and have an extremely loving and superb secure relationship with the childminder. For example, there are lots of cuddle times initiated by the children and young children are extremely confident with the childminder and in using the environment. Children's overall development is extremely well supported and enhanced through

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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 high quality adult-child interaction. The childminder listens to and values the things that children say and do and her excellent and competent knowledge of how children learn, encourages the children to flourish and acquire new skills and understanding. For example, she reinforces number and shape knowledge through a gluing activities and new words such as 'Watermelon' are introduced during role-play and games. The childminder consistently supports the children's learning by planning activities and rotating equipment. As a result children are exceptionally motivated, stimulated and demonstrate a real interest in the toys and activities available. They spend prolonged periods of time focussing on particular activities and become fully engrossed in their play. Children are able to independently and confidently choose from an excellent and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

stimulating range of toys and play materials. These are set out in several rooms and made easily accessible to them which actively encourages their development in choice and decision making. Children very clearly demonstrate their likes and dislikes. For example, a young child confidently informs the childminder she wants to continue with her activity before her snack-time and is allowed to continue and finish her play. Children are gaining an excellent understanding about the local environment and wider world through stimulating first hand experiences, such as small regular walks in the local community. For example, they often walk pass a small stream and enjoy small shopping trips to local shops that provide special products.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder highly values and respects children as individuals. She promotes this exceedingly well by effectively meeting their needs through a shared understanding with parents and encouraging children to be actively involved. For example, both the childminder and the parents share responsibility in providing special foods for a vegetarian child and more able children have been involved in devising behaviour rules. All children are fully supported and their differences acknowledged and thoroughly respected. For example, the childminder learns key words in another language and provides activities that positively promotes a particular child's culture. She does however, still respect the parents wishes to predominately promote English whilst the child is in her setting. Parents views and their knowledge of children's needs and interests are collected before children start at the setting. This successfully helps the childminder to ensure

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children are happy and settle well. The childminder ensures that parents know and have a full understanding of the setting. She provides a planning file that details her qualifications, the activities provided and some of her detailed policies and procedures. Which ensures maximum continuity in all the children's care. Parents are encouraged to be aware of their children's learning and fully informed on how their children are developing. The childminder provides and regularly shares individual children's profiles with them, which include evidence such as photographs of activities the children participate in, examples of children's work which identify

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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 developmental stages. Children are gaining a very clear and positive view of their own and the wider world. They can access an excellent range of activities and resources that increase their awareness of diversity and the understanding of others. For example, they visit the local shops where Italian and Kosher food are on sale and have access to good quality books and resources that promote positive images of various cultures, gender and disabilities. Children are developing an excellent understanding of right and wrong. For example, a two-year-old is confident in knowing that it is wrong to throw rubbish in a nearby stream and initiates animated discussion with the childminder. The childminder has high but realistic expectations for children's behaviour. She actively involves the more

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Helping children make a positive contribution

able children in devising the rules and these include being kind and sensitive to others needs and she ensures her own behaviour is exemplary in order to be a good role model for younger children. The consequence of these strategies are that children's behaviour is of a consistent and high standard.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder's setting is exceptionally and effectively well organised. This enables her to give utmost priority to protecting, promoting and supporting the children's all round development. For example, all required documentation is maintained appropriately and easily accessible. Space, resource's and time are effectively organised to meet children's needs and routines are in place that support young children's development. The childminder is very committed and has an extremely high regard for the well-being of all children. She reflects on her practice and takes positive steps to improve this. For example, she has adjusted her accident records and these now reflect the details of what medical treatment has been taken. This enables parents to be fully aware of the incident and continue any special treatment or care. Both children and parents benefit from the childminder's continued undertaking of training

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Organisation

and her commitment to the further improvement of the service she provides. She has recently completed the 'Developing Childminding Practice' and the 'Extending Childminding Practice' courses, along with other training such as 'Birth to three matters'. The consequence of this is a firm and secure knowledge of how children develop and learn, resulting in children working successfully towards their full potential. The high quality of the provision means that the needs of the range of children who attend are extremely well met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has taken positive steps to improve health and safety of children. She has devised and written up an appropriate emergency

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 evacuation procedure. She has obtained a fire blanket and fitted it appropriately in the kitchen. She now also obtains prior written consent from parents to seek emergency advice and treatment for children. The childminder has encouraged further awareness and understanding of disability. She has successfully developed her range of resources to include books and a small world disabled family, to promote positive images of disability and special needs.

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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 smoke alarms are fitted at al levels of the house.

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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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