Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

319632 Unique Reference Number 04 September 2007 Inspection date Duncan Gill Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Lynne Fletcher has been a childminder since 1964. She lives with her husband who is a childminding assistant and their adult son. They live in a semi-detached house in Barwick in Elmet, a village on the outskirts of Leeds. Shops, a playground and schools are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor and a bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children on her own and eight children when working with an assistant. There are currently 10 children on roll. The childminder runs a local carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are fully encouraged to learn good routines of personal hygiene as they are reminded to wash their hands after toileting and before eating meals. Children begin to understand the importance of healthy practices through effective daily routines and discussions with the

p.2

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 childminder. They are well-protected from the spread of infection as the childminder fully implements hygienic routines, for example when nappy changing. Children have good opportunities for daily physical activity and fresh air. They enjoy playing in the garden on slides and ride on toys, which helps them build a positive approach to physical exercise.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are well met through effective partnership with parents to discuss any allergies or special dietary requirements. The childminder has a good knowledge of the importance of a balanced diet and offers children healthy snacks and meals, including fruit. Children can independently access drinks and they are regularly encouraged to take drinks by the childminder.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a warm, welcoming environment, which is child orientated and has some evidence of their play and activity. Toys and activities are set out for children and the rooms are well organised so they can move around the setting freely, including moving between indoors and outside. Children can independently access a good range of well maintained toys and equipment, which are stored at their height, for example, musical instruments, imaginative play, books and arts and crafts. They are very interested in the toys available and these provide good challenges for all different ages and stages of development.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in an environment which has good safety features in place. These include a carbon monoxide detector, safety gates and socket covers. Children develop a good understanding of keeping themselves safe through learning to cross the road safely, regularly practicing emergency evacuations and through explanations from the childminder. They are well-protected on outings and when being collected, as the childminder implements effective routines to ensure they are safe and kept free from harm.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection to help protect children from abuse. She is very aware of her responsibilities towards the children in her care and of the procedure to follow with any concerns.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children learn to become independent and their opinion is highly valued. They are involved in rule making decisions, can freely access toys and are consulted in choosing activities. Children are fully involved in a wide range of activities, which develops their imagination, language, creativity and physical development. They enjoy imaginative play, stories, arts and crafts. Children are happy and settled. They enjoy their time at the setting and develop strong relationships with the childminder.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are effective procedures in place to help settle new children. Short visits with parents take place to help children build their confidence in their new surroundings. The childminder is very interested in the children and she frequently asks them questions to promote their thought and imagination. Children develop high self-esteem as the childminder gives them lots of praise and encouragement throughout the day.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued as individuals and are treated fairly and equally. They have a good range of opportunities to learn about the wider world through activities such as crafts and open access to a good range of resources to promote equality of opportunity. The childminder has good procedures in place to ensure all children are included, regardless of ability. Detailed registration forms and talks ensure the childminder has all the information necessary to effectively care for the children and meet their individual needs.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and benefit from clear and consistent boundaries set by the childminder. She uses developmentally appropriate methods to manage inappropriate behaviour including explanation and distraction. Children receive lots of praise to encourage good behaviour and older children are involved in rule making decisions to help begin to understand the consequences of their actions.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective partnership with parents ensures the childminder builds strong relationships with them. Daily diaries for younger children, verbal feedback and a notice board ensure parents are given good information on their child's development and activity. Parents are given photos of activities and a file with children's art and craft work.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The setting is well organised and the childminder organises her time well to give children effective support and encouragement, which helps them feel secure and confident. Her assistant knows the children well and has built warm relationships with them. The childminder enhances the care of the children by attending regular training. This has a positive impact on the children and includes training on first aid and food safety and nutrition. Children benefit from well organised rooms, which enable them to move around the setting safely and freely, accessing activities and developing their independence.

p.4

Organisation

All of the required documentation is in place and this is effectively organised to give parents detailed information about the care of their child. However, accident and medication records are not always recorded in a way which best promotes confidentiality. Children benefit from effective policies, which are fully implemented by the childminder to help keep them safe and healthy. These include behaviour, child protection and equal opportunities. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to increase emergency evacuations and to extend resources to promote equal opportunities.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The fire evacuation is practised every six weeks with children and this helps them build their understanding of safety. The range of resources has been extended to include imaginative play, books and dolls, which show positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability and help children learn to value differences in people.

p.4

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

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • improve confidentiality when recording accidents and medicines administered to children.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.5

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

p.5