Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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319716 Unique Reference Number 03 March 2008 Inspection date Jacqueline Patricia Walter Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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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.

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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 1990. She lives with her husband and adult children, in Methley Mickletown, which is a small town in 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.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children aged between one and six years on a part time basis. The childminder walks to the local school and playgroups to take and collect children. She attends the local carer and toddler club regularly.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows most current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. For example, furniture, such as tables and chairs are wiped down after use. A good sickness policy is in place, which includes good arrangements if children become ill in her setting. For example, parents are asked to collect children immediately, prior written consent from parents is obtained for emergency advice and treatment, and written exclusion periods for infectious conditions are shared with parents. There is a first aid kit available, which is appropriately stored. However, some of the contents, such as bandages are out of date. Children are able to receive medication very safely as a result of good procedures being in place. For example, in addition to obtaining written permission to administer medication and keeping records of what has been given, the childminder

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Helping children to be healthy

gives a copy of a record regarding what has been administered, to parents. This helps to ensure continuity in the children's care.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are good opportunities for children to develop understanding of simple good health and hygiene practice. For example, they are encouraged to wash their hands using wipes before meals and the childminder takes time to explain why they need to do this. Children are also encouraged to develop understanding of healthy living and eating through themed activities. For example, they read books with the childminder that reflect this subject and they go to the local shop and farm with the childminder to buy their fruit and vegetables. As a result, they are beginning to understand what healthy food is and why it is important to eat them. For example, three-year-olds know that vegetables and fruit make them big and strong.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to enjoy and develop their physical skills through a range of activities, that promote gross motor skills, both inside and outside the setting. They are also able to sleep safely according to their individual needs. They are well nourished through the childminder and parents working effectively together and providing healthy and nutritious food and drink. For example, some children bring their own pack-ups whilst the childminder provides food for those who request it. The childminder ensures that in addition to a hot meal being provided each day, as and when the children require this, healthy food, such as brown bread, raisins and fruit are also made available for snacks. Children are able to gain a good understanding of the importance of drinking plenty as a result of parents providing the children's own drinking bottles of water and the childminder replenishing these and making them easily

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Helping children to be healthy

available for children to independently select as they require. Dietary needs are fully taken account of because the childminder works well with parents. For example, written information from parents is collected on children's allergies, likes and dislikes and wishes of parents. This in turn, ensures they can safely eat their food.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a good knowledge of signs and symptoms of child abuse. She is confident in knowing the procedures to follow if concerns are raised both with children and if either her or her family were to be accused. She has relevant guidance and contact numbers easily to hand. As a result, children's welfare is safeguarded well.

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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 Overall children are cared for appropriately in a welcoming, secure and safe environment. The childminder takes most positive steps inside her home to minimise risks to children. For example, sockets covers are fitted, she ensures that low glass in cabinets is toughened and external doors are kept locked at all times, although keys are not always stored securely. Children are supervised at all times. For example, when they use the toilet facilities upstairs, the childminder consistently monitors them both verbally and by joining them upstairs to check and to help them. As a result, children can freely and safely use all areas in the home that are registered.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept appropriately safe when outside the setting. For example, on outings the childminder ensures younger children are secured in a buggy and older children either hold her hand or the side of the buggy. She implements some good procedures to help out in emergencies. For example, a mobile phone and written emergency contact numbers are taken with her at all times, as well as a few plasters and wipes in case a child has an accident. Children are developing a good understanding of keeping themselves safe as a result of the childminder making them aware of dangers in her setting. For example, she talks to them about what would happen if they run in her house, she advises them when their food may be a little warm and she talks and practices road safety with them. As a result, young children know to take care and blow on their food and older children know they must not run in the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very confident in approaching the childminder and other adults. All children have friendly relaxed relationships with the childminder and their peers. For example, they play well together and share their toys with other children. The childminder is interested in the children, she talks to them about their interest and as a result, more able children are beginning to talk and make associations between the setting and their home. For example, children who play with the small world motorbikes share information about heir family having real bikes at home. The childminder knows children's individual needs well. For example, she recognises signs of tiredness and knows of particular favourite toys and foods. This helps to ensure children feel secure and safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to acquire new knowledge and skills from a good and wide range of stimulating activities and resources that reflect all areas of play and different ages and abilities. For example, older children are allowed to bring in their own personal computer games and are able to use their initiative in selecting resources of their choice, such as books and board games. The childminder plans some activities. For example, she plans outings and adult led activities, such as baking and painting on a large scale floor covering. Children also have opportunities to participate in threading activities and develop their imagination using small world equipment, such as a dolls house and jungle animals. They also engage in sand and water play in the outdoor area. As a result, they enjoy coming to the setting, are interested and happy in their activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are interested and absorbed in their activities. Some older children engage in the same activity for long periods. For example, they enjoy role play games, where they make food and drinks for both the childminder and for other children. Younger children are independent and inquisitive. They confidently explore the environment and resources and show interest in new things within the setting. The childminder supports children's learning well. She adapts and invents activities to ensure learning and skills are extended and as a result, children respond to challenge well. For example, older children enjoy participating in finding letters and numbers that have been displayed throughout the setting and they are eager to answer the childminder's

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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 open ended questions when reading a book together. Younger ones enjoy the pictures in the book and being included in group activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are developing a very good understanding of responsible and positive behaviour through good methods that are implemented by the childminder. For example, the childminder talks to the older children about inappropriate behaviour taking time to explain what is wrong and why this is so. She successfully uses distraction with those that are younger, which enables children to avoid upset and conflict. There are also good systems in place to ensure consistency in managing behaviour with parents, which helps to ensure continuity is upheld. As a result, children behave very well, they have easy and relaxed relationships with other children and harmoniously share their toys and equipment. More able children also show concern and care for others. For example, if they see younger children playing inappropriately with equipment they take action to prevent them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have good opportunities to learn about the diversity of the wider world through a good selection of resources that promote positive images. For example, they have access to small and large cultural dolls, puzzles and books that reflect different cultures as well as access to small world equipment that promotes disabilities in a positive manner. For example, a small world disabled family. They are made aware of some festivals and celebrations, such as Halloween, Christmas and individual birthdays. However, at present no other festivals that reflect other cultures are introduced to them. Children are able to develop a good a sense of belonging in the community and an awareness of their local environment through first-hand experiences. For example, in addition to visits to the park and local soft play centre, they attend a toddlers club regularly and visit a local farm to see the animals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are all involved, fully included and cared for well by the childminder who works effectively with parents to meet individual children’s needs. For example, good information is collected on the children and their families, which include religion, health history and comfort toys or equipment. This is collected through either the completion of child record forms or through conversations with the parents at initial meetings. Both the childminder and parents respect each other's knowledge and skills. For example, they share advice regarding issues, such as potty training and these good partnerships in turn help children to develop to their full potential. The childminder appropriately shares information on the children's daily care and learning through verbal conversations with the parents and information on the setting is shared well. For example, at initial meetings parents are given some written policies and procedures,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

there are photographs available in an album, which allows them to see activities that take place, and they are encouraged to participate in settling visits so they can see how the setting works as well as settle their child in. However, although the childminder is fully aware of her roles and responsibilities when dealing with complaints, her written policy, which is shared with parents, does not fully reflect current legislation.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Robust recruitment and vetting procedures are in place and ensure children are cared for and well protected. For example, the childminder ensures all checks have been completed on all adults in the home and states that she never leaves the children with any other adults.

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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 Documentation, such as the children's attendance register, demonstrates that the adult: child ratio appropriately supports children’s care, learning and play. Space and resources are effectively and safely organised and time used effectively. For example, the childminder actively plays with the children, she sets out activities while she is engaged in domestic tasks, such as making lunch, whilst still ensuring she is able to see them and hear them at all times.

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Organisation

The childminder has appropriate knowledge and understanding of child development as a result of completing the required qualifications. She has a good regard for the well-being of all children. For example, she has attended some training courses, such as Inclusive practice and Food Hygiene. She has also participated in a pilot scheme for the Early Years Foundation Scheme, which is to be shortly introduced.

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Organisation

Almost all policies and procedures work in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. All required documentation is held, maintained and stored appropriately. It is reviewed and documentation is retained for longer periods than actually required. This successfully underpins the overall care and learning of the setting.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder develop knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues and ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. She was also asked to improve systems to promote children's safety and health and ensure parents are made aware of how to make a complaint. As a result of this, she has improved children's safety and health by obtaining information on child protection issues and then reading up on the signs and symptoms and procedures to follow. She has devised a form for parents to complete and sign, thereby giving her permission to administer medication. She also created a written statement informing parents what to do if they wished to make a complaint. The childminder has also developed her knowledge of equal opportunities and the activities and

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Improvements since the last inspection

resources she provides, by obtaining resources, such as large and small dolls, books and puzzles that reflect different cultures, as well as a small world disabled family. She has also completed a training course regarding Inclusive Practice. This means that children are able to develop appropriate understanding and awareness of issues, such as different cultures and disabilities in a positive manner.

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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.

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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.

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Complaints 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 the first aid kit is regularly checked and replenished as required • update the complaints policy to reflect current legislation and share this with parents.

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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

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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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