Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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319948 Unique Reference Number 22 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 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged 18 and 16 years in Tingley. 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 cat.

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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 10 children on a part-time basis. They are taken and collected from school and access local groups. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, the local childminding network and helps to run the local playgroup.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn 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, with liquid soap and disposable towels readily available in the home. To further prevent the spread of infection, hand cleansing gel is always taken on outings. The

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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 children are fully aware of the importance of regularly washing their hands to 'get rid of germs'. To provide a suitable environment for children to crawl and play on, outdoor shoes are removed to keep the flooring as clean as possible.

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Helping children to be healthy

Meal times 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 meals are provided in accordance with the children’s individual dietary requirements and their parents' wishes. Children enjoy a wide range of home-cooked meals which include a variety of vegetables, for example, corned beef hash, spaghetti bolognaise and pasta. The children describe their favourite fruits as kiwis, bananas and oranges. Packed lunches are stored appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have many opportunities for exercise, fresh air and outdoor activities when walking to school, playing in the garden, at the park and dancing to music. They regularly practise large physical movements when sliding, swinging, cycling and completing obstacle courses. Children recognise when they are thirsty and freely access drinks from jugs readily available in the kitchen. They sleep according to their individual requirements, routines and their parents' wishes. Young children sleep in their own pushchair which provides a familiar and secure environment.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder actively reduces the spread of infection through consistently following the health policy. Additionally, she encourages the children to cover their mouth when coughing and tissues are always available. These are only used once and are then thrown away. Children with an infectious illness are expected to remain at home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. 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 land line and mobile telephone are available and written contact details are always taken on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is fully aware of how to keep children safe and has taken appropriate steps to minimise risks and hazards. For example, policies include the procedure to follow if a child is lost, missing or not collected. Effective systems are in place to ensure that children cannot leave the home unaccompanied as the exterior doors are kept locked. The keys are readily available in case of emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are closely supervised at all times to keep them safe. However, they are not familiar with the emergency evacuation procedure as it is not practised regularly. Therefore, their awareness of how to leave the home quickly and safely is limited. There are three smoke alarms and a fire blanket readily available 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 has attended training to increase her knowledge and confidence in dealing with any issues. However, there are no systems in place to record existing injuries to children.

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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 plenty of fun with lots of affection and cuddles. A good range of activities cover the areas of learning well and incorporate a combination of planned outings and also child-led activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop active imaginations and assume a number of roles, including caring for dolls and making them better with the doctor's kit. They enjoy dressing up as a chef and also a fire fighter so they can rescue their friends. They excitedly talk about making up and performing shows for the childminder and taking part in talent shows.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are skilful communicators and many activities promote their language development. They sit on the childminder’s knee and concentrate well as they read stories together. They enjoy independently reading and selecting books to read together, and return on a number of occasions with a favourite book. They supplement the wide range of factual and fictional books available through choosing books at their weekly library visits. The childminder actively develops children's vocabulary and introduces new words, such as triplets when the children say they have twins and another doll.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn basic mathematical concepts through a number of activities including baking. They weigh out the quantities required and count how many buns they make. Younger children learn early number skills as the childminder instinctively counts the items as they are playing. Children are encouraged to express themselves creatively through a number of media, such as music, singing, painting, gluing and using play dough. They proudly show the birthday cards that they have been making.

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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 childminder encourages children to progressively become independent through daily activities. The older children thoroughly enjoy helping to feed and play with younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are good. This enables the childminder to care for children according to their parents' wishes. The childminder has implemented a number of strategies to keep parents fully informed regarding their children's care and development. These include, daily discussions and children regularly taking creative work and baking home. This enables parents to share their children's achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about their community through walks in the area and visiting local groups. The childminder has very good links with the local school and uses it as a venue for training events. The children receive a wide range of positive images of the wider world through daily play and a variety of resources, such as dolls, a globe, small world play and books. The children actively seek out a book entitled 'The first 200 words in French'. They also develop an awareness of a range of cultures through trying a variety of foods, including prawn toast and crackers and won tons.

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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 Children develop a positive self-image through the childminder continually praising them in their play. They regularly discuss the ground rules that they have written to ensure that children know what is expected of them. They develop good manners and follow the childminder's lead with young children saying 'please' and 'thank you'. They happily help to tidy the toys away, sometimes spontaneously and sometimes gently reminded by the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to developing and furthering her knowledge and skills. In addition to the required training she has attended a number of courses, including speech and language. She is proactive in keeping up to date with changes and has the Early Years Foundation Stage pack and is enrolled on a course.

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Organisation

Children are very settled and confident within the childminder's home and are cared for in a child-orientated environment, with a selection of toys available for them to independently access.

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Organisation

The childminder has given careful consideration as to how she can encourage the children to feel relaxed, comfortable and at home within her care. This has been very effectively achieved through a number of informal touches. This includes them bringing their own bedding so they have a familiar home comfort which makes sleep time a pleasant experience for children of all ages.

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Organisation

Effective systems protect children from persons who have not been vetted, as they are not left unsupervised. Parents are well informed about the child-care service as the childminder has implemented unique policies and procedures. The parents all sign to acknowledge they have received a copy and agree to them. The certificate of registration is prominently displayed in the playroom and all parents receive a copy of this.

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Organisation

Most of the required documentation is in place and confidentiality is effectively maintained as records are only accessible to the childminder. 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

Since the last inspection, the childminder has addressed the recommendations raised. She has enhanced children's health and well-being through improving resources and hand drying procedures. She now has an effective system in place to prevent cross infection as children use disposable towels when drying their hands. They have daily access to a wide range of resources that promote positive images of disability, culture and gender.

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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. 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

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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): • improve children's knowledge of emergency evacuation procedures • implement systems to record existing injuries to children.

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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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