Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 319521 Inspection date 29 June 2005 Inspector Elizabeth Welborn

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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 1974. She works in her own home with another childminder. She lives with her husband and two adult sons in the West Park area of Leeds, West Yorkshire. The playroom is where the children spend most of their time. They only access other areas of the house, with adult supervision, including the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a total of six children on her own, or ten, when working with her co-childminder. They are currently minding seven children under five, some part-time and some full-time. They are also minding three 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 of school age, plus one schoolchild, who is over eight years. The children are taken to and from school and nursery each day. The childminder regularly attends local toddler groups, with the younger children. The family have a house rabbit, which the children have occasional access to. The childminder holds the NNEB (Nursery Nurse) qualification. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, at home and at a local park. They are able to run, jump, climb and play on a variety of equipment. The children also walk to and from school and nursery on most days, only travelling in the car when it rains. This improves their general health and stimulates their physical development. The childminder knows the children very well and provides appropriate support for each child to develop new skills. Children are cared for in a clean, warm and welcoming home. They learn about the need for personal hygiene, by following regular routines of appropriate hand washing, from an early age. The children use individual pieces of paper towel for washing and drying their hands and faces. This helps to prevent the spread of infection. They are also able to learn from the good example set by the childminder. For example she regularly washes her own hands before preparing meals and after changing nappies.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder's written sickness policy, which she shares with the parents, also helps to prevent the spread of infection. First aid equipment is always available and the childminder has a good understanding of first aid, however her first aid qualification has recently expired. Children are learning about healthy eating and enjoy a wide range of healthy and nutritious foods. Some meals are provided by the parents, but the childminder provides the children's midday meal and the morning and afternoon snacks. She takes great care to provide food in accordance with the parents wishes and religious requirements. The children sit together for meals, where they learn good table manners, including how to use cutlery properly. They also enjoy conversation with each other and the childminder. Drinks are available to the children throughout the day and they are encouraged to have additional drinks in hot weather and after

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Risks of accidental injury are minimised because the childminder has a very good awareness of potential hazards and has made the designated areas of her home safe for children to play freely. There is a written procedure for the emergency evacuation of the house, but this has not been practiced with the children.

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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 Children are very well supervised at all times. The childminder works in partnership with her co-childminder and between them they organise their time well. For example when one is cooking lunch or preparing a particular activity, the other one is with the children. The children are gaining an awareness of possible dangers and learning about road safety, particularly on their regular walks to and from school and nursery. The childminder lives beside a very busy road and the children happily follow her clear procedures for their safety. Reins or wrist straps are used for the younger children when necessary. The children's welfare is particularly important to the childminder. She has sufficient knowledge of child protection issues to identify and report concerns and also knows where she could seek advice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are warmly welcomed to the childminder's home, where activities and resources are easily accessible to them. The wide range of indoor and outdoor toys and play equipment are clean and well maintained. They are suitable for the full age range and provide the children with enjoyment and good stimulation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and well occupied by the good range of stimulating activities at home and in the local community. The activities cover all areas of play and learning and are age appropriate and cater for the different interests of the children. There is a good selection of toys and play equipment, most of which are easily accessible to the children. The children enjoy times during each day, when they play freely and make individual choices from these resources. For example the children enjoy dressing up, role play with the shop, kitchen, garage and games, stories, singing and dancing. Children enjoy very good interaction and stimulation from the childminder. They are encouraged to join in with any organised activities and have ample opportunities to develop new skills. They receive good support to develop independence. For example, they make decisions for themselves and learn to use cutlery properly, wash

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their own hands and faces and put their own coats and shoes on. The children enjoy the security of clear daily routines. Their days are planned to allow time for organised activities, free play, meals and rest. The children under school age, enjoy regular outings to toddler groups, where they can mix and play with a larger group of children. At the toddler group, they particularly enjoy messy play, with paints and dough. Most of the children over three years of age, enjoy going to nursery educational sessions each afternoon.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have access to a very good selection of resources and activities, which positively promotes their knowledge of the wider world. This increases their awareness of diversity and their understanding of other people. Through the celebration of festivals, the children learn about different cultural and religious

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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 groups. The children are encouraged to be kind to each other, to share and take turns. They are generally very well behaved. The children have all been in the childminder's care since they were very young and fully understand her clear and consistent guidance. The realistic house rules have been in place for many years and the children recognise and accept them as they grow up. The childminder has a very positive attitude to caring for children with special needs. The children benefit from the very good relationship between their parents and the childminder. They work together in a partnership of mutual respect to meet the children's needs. Time is spent at both ends of the day, for sharing information about the children. The childminder has recently prepared some written policies and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

procedures about her provision to share with the parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the very well organised management of this setting, where two childminders regularly work together. The childminder's share the routine tasks particularly well and jointly organise the good range of activities for the children. The areas of the house used for childminding are well organised to enable the children to access the toys and play equipment easily. This helps them to be confident about making decisions and they enjoy the freedom to play. The space is also used well to cater for the children's individual needs, with regard to meals and rest. The childminder takes greater responsibility for preparing meals and keeping records, while her co-childminder usually takes the children to and from nursery and school. All documentation is in place to meet requirements. In addition, the childminder has prepared some written evidence to share with the parents, showing how she meets

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Organisation

each of the National Standards. All records are regularly maintained and kept up to date. The childminder is aware of the need for confidentiality and all documentation is stored safely. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children attending.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, it was recommended that the childminder provides evidence for new parents about the activities provided. She now has a selection of photographs showing the children enjoying a range of activities. She also has written parental permission to show them to new parents. The childminder was also recommended to share information with parents about her provision. Now in addition to the verbal sharing of information, the childminder has devised some simple written policies and procedures. These are shared with parents as they demonstrate how she meets each of the National Standards for Childminding. These help to enhance the care provided for children.

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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

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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 all children are familiar with the procedures for emergency evacuation of the premises • continue to develop the service provided by accessing available training.

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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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