Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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319875 Unique Reference Number 30 August 2007 Inspection date Duncan Gill 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 satisfactory. 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 has been registered for 18 years. She is registered to care for five children and presently has five children on roll. She lives with her partner, one adult child and two children aged 15 and three. They live in a house in Leeds 14, where local schools, parks and shops are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a rabbit and two goldfish. The childminder collects children from schools and is close to local transport links. She runs a local carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy good opportunities to access fresh air and physical activity. This helps them build a positive approach to exercise and they enjoy walks, trips to the park and sports. Children are appropriately cared for when ill as the childminder implements a suitable policy on the exclusion of ill children. They benefit from a clean and hygienic environment. The childminder

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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 follows effective cleaning procedures to protect children from the spread of infection. For example daily cleaning routines are implemented and there are very hygienic procedures in place when changing nappies. The childminder has not maintained an up to date first aid certificate. This a breach of regulations which can put children's health at risk in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are well met and children receive regular drinks. The childminder ensures children's individual routines for meals and feeding young babies are followed and gains detailed information on allergies and any special dietary requirements. She provides children with a balanced and healthy diet, including cereals, pasta and snacks of fruit.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. There is a good range of age-appropriate toys and equipment available for children including baby toys, puzzles, role play, dressing up and sports equipment. All equipment is well maintained, regularly cleaned and stored at child height, in boxes, which children can freely access. The home is warm and welcoming, with good evidence of children's play and activity. Toys are set out for children and posters are displayed on the walls in the home and in the outside play house. Space is used effectively and the environment is clean and well maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a very safe environment. There are good safety measures in place to protect children including a fire guard, safety gates and smoke detectors. The two tier outside area is fully enclosed and gates prevent children from entering the second area without supervision. The childminder also follows effective procedures for outings and the collection of children to keep them safe. Children have good opportunities to develop an understanding of safety. They discuss safe ways to cross the road, have safety posters displayed in the home and practise the emergency escape plan.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are suitably protected from abuse. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection and her responsibilities towards the children in her care. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse, although she does not have up to date procedures to follow with concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children build strong relationships with the childminder. They communicate well with her and she responds appropriately, asking questions to make them think and encouraging them to share their experiences. Young children are able to contribute to secure relationships with the childminder, who actively listens and gives them her full attention when they try to communicate. She consistently chats to them, talking through actions and asking questions, which encourages language development. Children have good opportunities to develop their independence. They can freely access toys, choose activities and older children are involved in rule making decisions. The childminder takes effective steps to help new children settle in to her home, through offering trial sessions to help children build their confidence in new surroundings.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take part in a wide range of activities which are appropriate for their ages and stages of development. They enjoy sports, imaginative play, musical toys, arts and crafts. They also have good opportunities to go on outings to places of interest, such as the park, Butterfly World, the shops and play groups.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder uses age-appropriate methods to manage behaviour, including distraction, explanation and 'time out'. She sets clear and consistent boundaries and involves children in rule making to help them begin to understand the consequences of their actions. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement which helps to build their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are highly valued as individuals and are given the same opportunities, regardless of gender or ability and appropriate arrangements are made to cater for all children's individual needs. They have good opportunities to learn about the wider world on walks, outings and through activities, such as planting seeds. They have good opportunities to learn about diversity through celebrating different festivals, trying foods from other countries and accessing play equipment which shows positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Detailed registration forms are completed with parents to ensure the childminder has all necessary information to meet children's individual needs, including allergies and dietary requirements. Parents are kept appropriately informed of their child's development and activity through daily chats which include information on food and activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from well organised rooms which are arranged to ensure children can move around safely and freely. Resources are effectively organised to provide children with opportunities for free choice and to develop their independence. The childminder organises her time successfully to give children support and encouragement to help them feel secure in the setting. Individual routines for young children are respected to keep them healthy, including sleep and feeding patterns. She has attended some training to enhance the care of children including baby massage, however she has not attended up to date first aid training.

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Organisation

All the required documentation is in place, however an up to date registration certificate is not displayed and this is a breach of conditions. Documentation is stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality is maintained. 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 ensure all documentation is available for inspection, to make sure the fire was safe and to obtain up to date information of the procedure to follow with child protection concerns.

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Improvements since the last inspection

All documentation is available for inspection and the fire has a guard to protect children. Up to date child protection procedures have not been obtained and this needs addressing, to help protect children from possible abuse.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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 satisfactory. 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): • display the registration certificate at all times • attend up to date first aid training and maintain an up to date first aid certificate • obtain up to date child protection information and the Government booklet 'What to do if You're Worried a Child is Being Abused'.

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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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