Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 320099 Inspection date 04 July 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 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 was registered childminder in 1996. She lives with her husband and child aged thirteen in Whinmoor, which is an area within Leeds, West Yorkshire. Toilet facilities are on the first floor and the whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding eight children aged between nine months and nine years, on a part time basis. The childminder walks to the local school to 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 She is a member of the National Childminding Association and a childminder support worker for the local network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well cared for in a very welcoming and very clean home. They thrive because the childminder follows current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines, and detailed policies and procedures. For example, there are very good daily routines for cleaning the toys and resources and a clear sickness policy is available. This includes good arrangements should a child become ill in her setting. Accident records are detailed and each parent receives a written copy so that parents have a clear understanding of what has happened and are able to continue to fully monitor children's health when at home. Children are developing an excellent understanding of good hygiene and healthy living through exceptional adult support and guidance. For example, children make a shopping list and then shop for the suggesting items, such as their favourite soap

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Helping children to be healthy

and fresh fruit. This encourages an excellent understanding of healthy living and hygiene and a real desire to become increasingly independent in personal care. The childminder takes account of and is very successful in meeting children's special dietary requirements. She works effectively with parents to meet these needs when required. This ensures the children stay healthy. Children are very well nourished. For example, they have access to fresh fruit and vegetables at meal and snack times. Older children are able to ask for drinks when required and younger children are encouraged to understand the importance of regular drinking through their drinks being placed within their reach. Children are able to explore, test and develop physical control and skills through stimulating indoor and outdoor activities. For example, they enjoy gardening with small hand held trowels and can fully test their skills as the climb, swing and balance

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Helping children to be healthy

on the purpose built Wendy house and climbing frame sited in the garden. Young children are confident to try out new skills and ask for help when needed. They also delight in jumping and catching in indoor activities, for example, a bubble activity. Children are able to experience and enjoy wide spaces and local facilities. They visit local parks and the woods and enjoy regular little walks around local environment. This encourages their general good health and physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder is extremely vigilant and has a high level of awareness of all risks to children’s health and safety. She takes all reasonable steps to ensure her physical environment is safe and secure. For example, she ensures safety resources such as stair gates and fireguards are in place before children arrive. As a result children are

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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 able to move around safely, freely and independently and risk of accidental injury is significantly reduced. Fire safety recommendations are fully implemented. For example, evacuation procedures are written up and shared with parents and children and smoke detectors are sited appropriately and checked monthly. All full time and part-time children regularly practice a fire drill, as theses are completed on a rotating basis and the childminder has devised an emergency back up procedure with a nearby childminder. This in turn ensures all possible risks to fire have been significantly reduced and children are safely cared for until parents arrive. Children are developing a very good understanding of keeping themselves safe through the childminder talking to them. For example, she explains even to very

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

young children why she is removing something or why she asks them to do, or not do some things. She also encourages older children to make suggestions for more appropriate actions that would ensure both their own and others safety. She has an excellent understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and the setting of safe limits. For example, older children can use the rear garden whilst she watches them through a window and younger children are always accompanied. Children are very safe on outings. The childminder uses safety equipment appropriate to children's ages and stages of development and does risk assessments on the venue to be visited. This allows her to be confident in knowing the risks she may encounter and therefore keep children safe. She has considered and implemented very good procedures should an emergency happen outside. For example, she takes a mobile phone with contact numbers programmed in, a first aid

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

kit and children's written details should her phone battery run out. Children are developing a very good understanding of keeping themselves safe when outside the setting through discussion on road safety and through the childminder ensuring they follow her safe and sensible procedures, for example, by holding hands. Children are developing an excellent sense of belonging. The welcoming, creative and effective organisation of space and resources and the very good routines regarding maintenance, considerably promote the children's independence and allow them use all the rooms and equipment safely. For example, children can use a conservatory when playing with smaller equipment whilst very young children are present. Children are very well protected. The childminder has a very good awareness of the signs and symptoms of child abuse to be aware of. She is very clear on the procedures she should follow if she has concerns about the children or any

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

allegations of abuse are made. All the required safety documentation is in place to ensure children's safe welfare. For example, she written consent is obtained before administering medication and detailed accidents records are all signed by parents. She holds a current first aid certificate and in addition has written up the health and safety procedures she follows. This in turn ensures consistency is upheld and parents are fully informed.

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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 The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and flourish as a result of the childminders warm, responsive and respectful one to one interaction. They are very confident and are developing a very good self-esteem through praise and continual encouragement in their activities. For example, a nine month-old child actively responds to the world creatively as he enjoys the repetition of his movement and the sensory exploration of shiny paper from a treasure basket. He delights in the childminder's mimicking of his sounds and actions and is self-motivated and confident to explore his environment, as the childminder follows his lead. Children independently choose from an excellent and stimulating range of toys, play materials and activities both inside and outside the home. For example, they are able

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to bake, design Tee-shirts and try out cultural foods such as exotic fruits. Toys and play equipment are attractively set out and easily accessible. This in turn actively encourages the development of choice and decision making skills. The childminder uses developmental checklists to record children's development and progress and shares this with parents. She then uses this information to base future plans on. This in turn ensures children are challenged effectively and continually acquire new knowledge and skills. Children very clearly and confidently demonstrate their likes and dislikes. For example, a nine month-old confidently uses expression and loud vocal sounds to ask for more dinner and older children devise a chart with sad and smiley faces, indicating their opinions on the exotic fruits. The childminder very confidently uses her understanding of early years guidance such as 'Birth to three matters' to provide high quality care and education. In addition

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to the toys and high quality adult-child interaction the children's learning makes excellent progress because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. For example, the childminder uses a child's fascination in a favourite book and the country of Spain to effectively extend his learning in communication, and he is now able to speak some Spanish words. The childminder encourages children's effective learning about the local environment and wider world through stimulating first hand experiences such as small regular walks in the local community. Where older children they discuss what they notice. They visit the local woods and participate in small shopping outings and trips to the library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. An excellent partnership with parents contributes significantly to children's well being in the childminder's setting. The childminder ensures parents play an active part wherever possible in their children's care. For example, parents are fully involved in 'settling in' procedures that are tailored to meet children's individual needs. Their views about their children's needs and interested are actively sought before care commences and activity plans are displayed for the parents to note. As a result consistency and continuity in care is upheld extremely well. The childminder ensures that all parents have a full understanding of how their children are progressing and

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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 developing. For example, individual profiles that include developmental checklists are available to parents at any time. Children's work is displayed in the setting and photographs are made available of the activities they participate in. This results in children benefiting greatly from the involvement of their parents, which contributes to their good health and learning. 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 understanding of others. For example, various cultures are supported through food tasting activities, an understanding of disabilities is encouraged through visits from a disabled visitor and there are good quality books

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and play equipment that promote positive images of various cultures, gender and disabilities. Very good, clear and consistent behaviour management strategies enables children to develop good self-esteem and behave well. The childminder has high expectations and sets consistent boundaries which help older children take responsibility for their own behaviour and negotiate with others. Younger children are able to develop a very good understanding of responsible behaviour through the childminder focusing on positive aspects of their behaviour, and their awareness is increased as the childminder talks to them about inappropriate actions. Children are fully involved and play a dynamic part in the setting. Where possible they share decisions about the setting and actively contribute to their development in health and safety. For example, children help make decisions on the basic house rules within the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder's setting is extremely well organised which enables children's care to be greatly enhanced. Space and resources are creatively and effectively organised to maximise play opportunities. For example, a child-friendly play area with adventure playground resources is available at the end of the garden and a quiet reading area is created in corner of lounge, which children use when they wish to relax and not be disturbed. All legally required documentation regarding children's health and safety is in place. It is confidentially held and regularly reviewed. In addition, the childminder has written up her policies and procedures and shares them with parents. As a result children's development and learning is effectively promoted with consistency and continuity being continually upheld. Children benefit from the childminders extensive knowledge and understanding of

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Organisation

childcare. The childminder has an extremely high regard for the well-being of all children and reflects and improves on the quality of care she provides. Both children and parents benefit from the childminder's continued undertaking of training and her commitment to improving the service she provides. For example, the childminder has completed approximately twenty-two courses which include an induction to 'Birth to Three Matters. As a result children's care and learning is thoroughly and regularly monitored, and improved.

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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 The high quality of the provision means that the setting meets the needs of the range of children who attend, extremely well.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has enthusiastically completed a wealth of training courses. This has resulted in the very good service she provided being embellished, as she actively implements the knowledge and skills she has obtained. For example, she has completed several business courses which has enabled her to develop a professional and strong partnership with parents and uses birth to three matters as a document to ensure appropriate care is provided for the under threes. This in turn supports children's holistic development.

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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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