Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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319800 Unique Reference Number 04 October 2007 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 1994. She lives with her husband, adult child and child aged 13, in Woodlesford, which is an area of Leeds, in West Yorkshire. The childminder works with an assistant who is her husband. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear 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 eight children on both a part time and full time basis. The childminder walks to the local school 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 very healthy because the childminder follows current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. For example, a good sickness policy is in place, which includes parents receiving copies of written procedures to follow, in addition to written details on infectious childhood diseases and the recommended exclusion periods. This helps to ensure that children are well protected from the spread of infection. Good detailed information is also collected when children receive medication. For example, in addition to details on what medication they require, the childminder collects information on when the last dose has been administered and parents are asked to sign records to acknowledge when the childminder administered the medication herself. As a result, children are able to receive their medication very safely.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have very good opportunities to enjoy and develop their physical skills. The childminder encourages and supports babies well when developing skills in walking and all children are able to access a rear garden during good weather. They are able to choose from a wide selection of resources, such as bikes, slides, seesaws, cricket and crazy golf equipment. They also visit several parks where they can practise and develop further skills in climbing and balancing. During inclement weather children are able to enjoy dancing to tapes and musical equipment within the setting, they visit local indoor play centres as well as participate in activities at the local childminding group, such as sports days.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished through the childminder and parents working effectively together in providing healthy and nutritious food. They have access to regular drinks, however more able children have limited opportunities to help themselves. Older children learn the importance of hygiene through appropriate routines, such as washing their hands after using the toilet, before and after meals and after outdoor play. Babies hands and faces are also regularly wiped. In addition to this, tissues are placed at the children's level to encourage independence in their personal hygiene. Children also develop a good understanding about healthy living through the encouragement of routines of good practice, such as walking to school on most days.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to develop a good sense of belonging in this warm, welcoming, clean and very well maintained accommodation. Space is used appropriately allowing children to have independent access to all registered rooms. Toys and activities are safely and appropriately organised. For example, more able children are able to select appropriate age related resources from labelled boxes and younger children's toys are set out for them to access before they arrive. Older children are encouraged to ask for different activities of their choice, which the childminder and the children safely select together from an integral garage. The childminder is vigilant in supervising and ensuring children's safety at all times. For example, she uses reigns whilst they are in high chairs, she takes younger ones with her whenever she visits other rooms and regularly checks them whilst they sleep. As a result, children are kept very safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes all positive steps inside her home to minimise risks of accidental injury. For example, she ensures external doors and gates are kept locked and stores household chemicals out of reach in a high sited cupboard. This means that children can safely use all

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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 areas of play. There are good procedures in place regarding fire safety and as a result, children are well protected against the risk of fire. For example, in addition to having the required fire fighting and detection systems in place, the childminder displays her emergency evacuation procedure on a notice board and records the practising of her evacuation drill, detailing what exits are used. In addition to this, good procedures, such as visiting venues before the children are taken on trips help to keep them safe when outside.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is appropriately safeguarded. The childminder has a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and although she has not dealt with any issues of concern she is familiar with almost all of the procedures to follow if concerns are raised. She has up to date guidance and contact numbers, which are easily available. However, although her assistant rarely works solely with children, there are no systems in place to ensure the assistants awareness of the issues and responsibilities around child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to acquire new knowledge and skills through a wealth of toys and activities, which are appropriate for a variety of ages and cover all areas of play. For example, more able children have opportunities to grow cress, participate in baking activities where they make dessert dishes, such as Easter Nests. Babies are given the freedom to explore the environment and make connections using their senses as a result of the childminder following their lead and supporting their learning through their interests. In addition to this, children partake and enjoy stimulating outings to places of interest. For example, Hemsworth Water Park, Hesketh farm and Gulliver's Theme Park. As a result, they are happy and interested in the activities available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing good confidence and self-esteem as a result of being able to independently select some resources and by receiving lots of praise from the childminder for both their effort and achievement. The childminder treats meal times as an opportunity to help babies to enjoy their food and become independent in feeding themselves. For example, she praises them as they hold their bottles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are very positive, friendly relationships between the childminder and the children. The childminder responds well to individual needs and as a result children are confident in approaching her and are at ease within the setting. Although the childminder does not use the 'Birth to three matters' framework to promote the children's outcomes, she uses her previously gained knowledge and understanding of how children develop and learn appropriately. For example, she promotes communication skills by talking to babies and repeatedly engaging them in nursery rhymes and actions, which they thoroughly enjoy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for very well by this professional and friendly childminder who works successfully with parents. She obtains consent in writing for additional requirements, such as photographs, and effectively works with parents. For example, by discussing and implementing action plans with parents when dealing with inappropriate behaviour. Detailed information on children and their families are collected, such as documentation on baby routines, their comforting equipment and special words or games that they particularly enjoy. This helps to ensure that children's individual needs are successfully met. Children's development and learning is shared appropriately and information on the setting is shared very well. For example, parents

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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 are given copies of all written policies and a notice board is available in the setting, which displays planned activities, such as forthcoming outings and special events, as well as the fire evacuation plan and the registration certificate. This promotes clarity, continuity and consistency in the children's care and learning.

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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 wide selection of resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discrimination. For example, they are able to dress up in costumes and participate in board games that reflect other cultures. They also engage in activities that create awareness of several celebrations and festivals, such as making dragons during Chinese New Year and lanterns and biscuits during Dewali celebrations. However, there are limited opportunities for them to develop an understanding and valuing of others with disabilities as there are only a few resources and activities available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are all involved and fully included. They are able to develop a very good sense of belonging in community and awareness of their local environment through regularly visiting places, such as the local childminding group session, carer and toddlers clubs and also the local library. As a result, they also have good opportunities to develop their social skills.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Recruitment and vetting procedures ensure children are appropriately protected and cared for. For example, the childminder ensures all checks have been completed on all adults in the home and children are not left alone with any other adults apart from her registered assistant. The adult: child ratio supports children’s care, learning and play appropriately. For example, a registered assistant, who has appropriate permission from parents is available when the childminder has emergency appointments and the register shows that ratios are upheld appropriately and include records of the arrival and departure of children as required.

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Organisation

The childminder's knowledge and understanding of child development is good. She has appropriate regard for the well-being of all children. For example, she takes account and has successfully completed all recommendations from her previous inspection and has completed further training on issues, such as Equal Opportunities and the Early Years Foundation Stage. As a result, children's learning and development is supported well.

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Organisation

All policies and procedures work in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. All the required documentation is held, maintained and stored appropriately, which ensures consistency and continuity in the children's overall care and learning.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder ensure that keys are accessible to enable safe evacuation in case of an emergency. She was also asked to provide evidence of activities which promote children's all round development. As a result of these recommendations, she has improved children's safety by now keeping keys in drawers that are situated near the external doors. She has also promoted children's all round development by extending her resources to providing a wealth of toys and activities for them to access and she takes pictures of children whilst playing and working and shares these with both the parents and the 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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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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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): • develop opportunities for more able to children to access drinks independently • extend opportunities for children to develop an understanding and a valuing of others that have disabilities.

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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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