Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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319774 Unique Reference Number 02 August 2007 Inspection date Liz Whitehead 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 1991 and lives in Tingley, a suburb of Leeds. She may work with an assistant. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family has a dog, cat and two guinea pigs.

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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 caring for seven children on a full- and part-time basis. They are taken to and collected from school and access local groups. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children know about good personal hygiene through consistently washing their hands before snacks and meals and after toileting. All aspects of children's health and well-being are effectively promoted and children use kitchen roll to dry their hands to reduce the risk of cross-infection. They eagerly describe an activity using hand cream and glitter to show how

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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 germs are transferred. Very good hygiene practice is followed when changing nappies and the childminder consistently wears disposable gloves.

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Helping children to be healthy

Mealtimes are a relaxed occasion with children sitting and eating together at the table. The childminder sits with them and develops their social skills through encouraging them to talk about their day. Healthy and varied snacks and meals are provided in accordance with the children's individual dietary requirements and their parents' wishes. Children enjoy eating fruit and learn about foods which are healthy through fun activities, such as naming 10 foods that are healthy and 10 foods to have occasionally as a treat.

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Helping children to be healthy

Opportunities for exercise, fresh air and outdoor activities are given a high priority. These take place on a daily basis and include walking the dog and playing in the garden and at the park. The children regularly practise large physical movements when sliding, swinging and playing rugby and football. They choose where they wish to play and move freely between the indoors and the outdoors.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children recognise when they are thirsty and freely access drinks from their individual cups. They regularly discuss the benefits of drinking water and juice rather than fizzy drinks. They sleep according to their individual requirements, routines and their parents' wishes. Individual bedding is available to reduce the spread of infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has a sound understanding and awareness of how to keep children safe. She has appropriate equipment in place to minimise risks to children, including a fireguard and safety gates. She consistently follows the accident and emergency and garden safety policies. The childminder effectively raises children's awareness of safety issues. Older children happily tidy away toys with small parts when babies are present as they know that young children may choke on them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A first aid box is readily accessible in the home and one is always taken on outings to ensure that any minor accidents can be dealt with quickly and appropriately. To ensure that parents can be contacted at all times, both a landline and mobile telephone are available, although written contact details are not taken on outings. Appropriate car seats are available and the children are fully aware of the changes to legislation and who must use which type of seat.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very familiar with the emergency evacuation procedure. It is prominently displayed and practised regularly to ensure that they are fully aware of how to leave the home quickly and safely. The children describe what to do and where to go when they hear the alarm. A fire blanket is fixed and readily available in the kitchen in case of emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected as all parents are made aware of the childminder's responsibility regarding child protection. She has a written policy and literature to refer to regarding the signs, symptoms and procedure to follow. The childminder regularly attends training to increase her knowledge and confidence in dealing with any issues and is fully aware of the importance of recording existing injuries.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children share a warm and trusting relationship and form close bonds with the childminder. They have lots of fun with plenty of affection and cuddles. They are very confident communicators and many activities promote their language development. Children sit on the childminder's knee and concentrate well as they read stories together. They really enjoy independently selecting books to read together from the good range of fictional and factual books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A good range of activities cover the areas of learning well and incorporate a combination of planned outings and many child-led activities. Children develop active imaginations and assume a number of roles, including caring for dolls, building boats out of wooden blocks and dressing up in rabbit ears that they make. The children are able to play with other children through attending local groups and socialising with childminders caring for children of a similar age.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn basic mathematical concepts through a number of activities, including playing with shape sorters. They discuss the shape and colour of the pieces as the children place them in the holes. They learn early number skills as the childminder instinctively counts the toys as they play with them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to express themselves creatively through a number of mediums, such as music, singing, painting, gluing and using play dough. They have many opportunities to experience educational and interesting outings to local places of interest and museums. The children state that they 'really enjoy' their time at the childminder's and particularly like to play outside, with the play dough and dressing up.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met effectively as the childminder records information which she gathers from the parents. She knows the children well and encourages them to make decisions by self-selecting toys and equipment. The children have a real sense of belonging and have individual named pegs where they know their personal belongings are kept.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are good, which enables the childminder to care for children according to their parents' wishes. The childminder has very effective systems in place to keep parents fully informed regarding their child's care and development. These include: compiling development records for each child; daily discussions, which are supplemented by written information for younger children; and them regularly taking creative work home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about their community through walks in the area and visiting local groups. They receive positive images of the wider world through daily play and a variety of resources, such as dolls, dressing up, small world play and a set of figures that positively depict people with a range of disabilities. They enjoy learning about other countries, for example, France and Italy, during themed days. The children also develop an awareness of a range of cultures and festivals and the childminder has books to refer to which ensures that the children receive accurate information.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop a positive self-image through the childminder continually praising them in their play. She encourages children to take responsibility for their actions and they have devised

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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 a set of ground rules which are prominently displayed and regularly discussed. The childminder consistently follows the behaviour management policy to ensure that children know what is expected of them. Children follow the childminder's clear boundaries and happily help tidy the toys away.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder demonstrates a firm commitment to developing and furthering her knowledge and skills. In addition to the required training, she has attended a number of courses, including 'Birth to three matters', listening and responding to young children, and a language and interaction workshop. She is proactive in keeping up to date with changes and is enrolled on a course regarding the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Organisation

Children are very settled and confident within the childminder's home and are cared for in a dedicated playroom. There are photographs and artwork displayed and a good selection of toys available for them to independently access.

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Organisation

Relevant checks have been completed on all appropriate adults. Effective systems protect children from persons who have not been vetted, as they are not left unsupervised. Additionally, the childminder actively raises the children's awareness of the dangers of talking to strangers.

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Organisation

Parents are well informed about the childcare service as the childminder has implemented policies and procedures, which are unique to her setting. These are readily available for the parents to view. Relevant information and the certificate of registration are prominently displayed for parents.

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Organisation

All the required documentation is in place. However, confidentiality is not always sufficiently maintained, for example, when parents are signing the policies and procedures, and accident records name other children. The childminder has a full understanding of the National Standards and the supporting criteria and implements this very effectively into her daily practice. 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 the childminder was asked to improve resources, records and vetting procedures. She has enhanced children's safety and well-being through implementing a number of records. These include medication authorisation from parents and a system to record complaints and physical restraint. The childminder protects children in her care as appropriate adults have completed relevant checks and a system is in place which makes parents aware of her responsibility regarding child protection concerns. Additionally, the children are now able to access an appropriate range of activities and resources which reflect positive images of disability.

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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): • implement systems to fully maintain confidentiality at all times.

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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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