Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

319804 Unique Reference Number 16 January 2008 Inspection date Jacqueline Patricia Walter 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?

The childminder was registered in 1990. She lives with her husband in Woodlesford, which is a residential suburb of Leeds, in West Yorkshire. The toilet facilities on the first floor and the whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

p.2

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 six children aged between one and nine on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local school and playgroup to take and collect children. She attends the local carer and toddler clubs regularly.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. Children are able to receive medication safely as a result of good procedures being implemented. For example, prior written consent

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 from parents to administer medication is always obtained and detailed written records are made of what has been given and these are then also signed by parents. Detailed accident records are also appropriately maintained, with parents receiving copies of these, which helps to ensure continuity in the children's care.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing a good awareness and understanding of simple good health and hygiene practice. They engage in good routines, such as washing their hands after using the toilet, after outdoor play and before their meals. The childminder talks to them about the reasons they need to do this and ensures she is a good role model. For example, when washing her hands she explains why she needs to do this. As a result, more-able children are familiar with the routines and know why it is important to practise them.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to enjoy and develop their physical skills both inside and outside the setting. They occasionally visit soft play centres and often visit two nearby parks to access climbing and swinging equipment. They are also able to use a suitable selection of resources and activities, such as a sand pit, balls and hoops within the childminder's setting. Children are able to safely rest and sleep according to their individual needs and their individual dietary needs are taken into account through the childminder collecting information from parents. Children have good opportunities to gain understanding of healthy eating. The childminder encourages them to eat the healthy food first that comes in their lunch packs and she makes sure she asks parents to provide only healthy food and drinks. In addition to this, children occasionally go shopping and choose the fruit they would like to eat. They are also

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

able to choose from different fruits at snack time and new foods, such as star and passion fruit are introduced.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is promoted well in this welcoming, safe environment. They are able to safely use rooms independently to extend and develop their learning as a result of the childminder taking positive steps to minimise risks. For example, electrical sockets have covers fitted, sharp protruding edges are protected by tennis balls being placed on them and safety gates deny children access to areas of danger, such as the kitchen. In addition to this, the childminder ensures the identification of visitors is checked before they enter the setting and she has devised a written policy that effectively and safely deals with the non collection of children. Children are also protected well from the risk of fire. For example, in addition to an evacuation procedure being devised and practised with children, records are made identifying how well children have completed the drills, which exit routes are used and any issues of concern that

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

arise. However, although the perimeter fencing around the garden is secure, the garden gate has only a latch fitted. This means children are able to exit the premises unsupervised and unwelcome visitors can easily gain access.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has good knowledge and is fully aware of signs and symptoms in all areas of child abuse. She has updated her training as a result of completing an Extending Childcare Practice course and she is confident in knowing the procedures to follow if concerns are raised. For example, a record keeping system is in place to record any concerns and the childminder has relevant guidance and contact numbers easily available. This enables her to refer issues to social services and Ofsted easily as required. The childminder ensures her assistant has appropriate knowledge and understanding of all health, safety and child protection procedures, by discussing the procedures and asking him to read the relevant policies. This means that children's welfare is safeguarded well.

p.3

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 have a very good sense of belonging in this welcoming accommodation. There is suitable and sufficient child size equipment available and play equipment and activities are appropriately organised. For example, baby equipment is organised into a separate box and some other activities for older children are made easily available in a set of low drawers or on shelves where they can be seen by the children. This enables them to either ask for activities or safely and independently choose and replace them. Children are kept very safe on outings. For example, they wear identification tabards that have the childminder's contact details on them. They also gain a very good understanding of keeping themselves safe, through stimulating activities, such as enjoying a visit from the fire authority and talking about the dangers of fire.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are developing a good self-esteem as a result of lots of praise for both effort and achievement. For example, when playing games where they incorrectly guess what coloured bricks are missing, they also receive praise for trying hard. Older children are able to use their initiative well. For example, during summer holidays they help the childminder plan an interesting curriculum by making suggestions regarding the activities they would like to do. Toys and play materials are also rotated, which further stimulates their interests.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children confidently acquire new knowledge and skills through a good range of toys and activities that cover all areas of play and are appropriate for the different ages and abilities of the children. For example, they are able to develop designing and mathematical skills using different construction equipment and enjoy art and craft activities using a range of materials, such as paints, sequins and feathers. They are also able to enjoy books and making music with a good range of musical instruments. The childminder loosely plan some stimulating activities around different festivals as well as a wealth of outings. For example, children are able to visit a beach, theme park and several animal farms. This gives them first hand experiences in developing understanding and a very good awareness of their environment.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a very good understanding of how children learn and uses this knowledge to successfully promote their development. She allows the children to choose their activities and uses their individual interests to encourage them to focus and develop their learning. For example, with children who enjoy using construction equipment she creates innovative games to develop understanding of pattern and change, such as creating a pattern and removing a brick when they are not looking. Children then enjoy taking turns in guessing what colour is missing. As a result, they respond extremely well to challenge and thoroughly enjoy their activities.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have good opportunities to learn about the diversity of the wider world and their local environment through a good selection of resources and activities that promote positive images and anti-discriminative practice. For example, they can access cultural dolls, dressing up clothes, books and art and craft activities that reflect different cultures and festivals. They visit local child care facilities, such as toddler clubs, where they play alongside children with disabilities and from different cultures. They also attend a childminding group and enjoy trying new activities, such as eating Chinese food in celebration of Chinese New Year. They also can access

p.4

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 small selection of resources, which helps to develops further understanding of disabilities, such as books and a small world disabled family.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are involved, fully included and make lots of choices and decisions. They are developing a good understanding of responsible and positive behaviour through the implementation of good, age-appropriate strategies. For example, the childminder talks to the older children and explains what is not acceptable and why. If inappropriate behaviour persists or is serious she uses a short time out system known as 'Thinking Time', which allows the children time to calm down, think about what they have done and the consequences. Younger children are distracted away from inappropriate situations and the childminder will on occasion express the word no, using a serious tone. As a result, the children learn to understand the behaviour is not acceptable.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for very well by the childminder who works effectively with parents to meet individual children’s needs. Very good information is collected on the children and their families, through documentation and discussion, which include details on their likes, dislikes, a basic health history, comfort toys and baby routines. This means that both individual needs and learning difficulties are well met. Information on the older children's development and learning is shared well. For example, discussions on care and learning are held before and after care and profiles of children's work is shared every few months with parents. This helps to ensure continuity and consistency in care is maintained. However, information on very young children's care is not always effectively shared as parents are sometimes too busy to stop and hold discussions; this results, on occasions, with the childminder struggling to settle new children

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

in. Information on the setting is also shared well. In addition to a general information file regarding the setting being shared with parents, they are given written copies of the policies. The registration certificates and evacuation plans are also displayed in the setting, which helps to ensure clarity.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. Recruitment and vetting procedures ensure children are well cared for and protected. For example, the childminder ensures all checks are completed on all adults who live and work in the home, she holds records on the assistants and obtains written consent from parents for the assistant to be in sole charge of children. The childminder's knowledge and understanding of child development is very good as a result of her completing all the required qualifications in addition to previous childcare qualifications, such as a level 3 in childcare. As a result children are supported well in their learning and development.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has a very high regard for the well-being of all children. She has completed a wealth of training, such as food hygiene, safety awareness, inclusion of disabled children and several modules on the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Space and resources are appropriately organised and the childminder uses her time well, actively playing with children and implementing routines in place around children's individual eating and sleeping, which helps them feel secure and confident.

p.5

Organisation

All policies and procedures work in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. They are regularly reviewed every year or as changes occur. This ensures the children's care meets all legal requirements and promotes good practice. All required documentation is held, maintained and stored as required. It is

p.5

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 professionally presented, easily available and retained for periods beyond the recommended times. This in turn underpins clarity, consistency and continuity in the children's overall care.

p.5

Organisation

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

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder continue to extend resources to positively reflect images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability and ensure play materials are easily accessible to the children. As a result of this, she has improved children's opportunities to develop their awareness of equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, by obtaining additional resources which reflect different cultures. For example, a small world disabled family, ethnic dolls, books and materials to make costumes, such as Saris. She has also obtained an Indian boy's outfit. The childminder has also ensured children have further opportunities to access their own toys and play materials by obtaining a set of low level drawers and fitting a storage shelf at the children's level.

p.6

Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1st April 2004 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.6

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 complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.6

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 children are unable to exit the premises unsupervised, with reference to the garden gate • develop systems to share information with parents, regarding the babies and very young children's care and development.

p.6

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.6

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.6