Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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319992 Unique Reference Number 20 February 2008 Inspection date Ann Webb 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 has been registered for 12 years and is currently caring for five children. She lives in a house in the Churwell area of Leeds close to local schools, shops and bus services.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and three sons aged 15, 12 and 10 years. The family have pet gerbils. The lounge, kitchen and upstairs toilet are used for childminding and there is a rear garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. There are good opportunities for the children to enjoy fresh air and exercise. Each day they walk to and from school and play outdoors in the childminder's garden. They develop a range of physical skills needed for climbing, balancing and jumping and become active through the use of tricycles and sit and ride toys. Indoors there is sufficient space for the children to stretch

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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 out on the floor to play with their toys. Additionally, visits to the park and play gym contribute effectively toward the children's physical development and good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy a variety of healthy meals and snacks. For example, they taste lasagne and macaroni for their lunch and eat bread sticks and fruit at snack time. Drinks of water and fruit juice are readily available and accessed independently by the children. Additionally, the children see images of healthy ingredients in books and during activities. This further enhances the children's understanding of healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Routine hand washing after toileting and before food encourages the children to contribute toward their own hygiene practices. They have a good understanding of the importance of washing their hands and can manage their own care needs with confidence. The childminder is a good role model for the children; she ensures that all areas of the home are clean and well maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children's health and well-being are further promoted through a clear sickness policy and the management of children's illnesses. The childminder does not care for children with an infectious illness and contacts parents should a child become unwell whilst in her care. The children are able to rest and to sleep in accordance with their parents' wishes and their own routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder takes positive steps to minimise hazards to children. For example, all required safety features, such as safety gates and a fireguard are in place. Additionally, the home and garden are secure and children are unable to leave unaccompanied. The children are able to contribute toward their own safety by following road safety advice and rehearsing emergency evacuations from the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys and resources are maintained in good condition and are checked regularly by the childminder to ensure that they are safe for the children's use. They are stored and presented well and this ensures that the children are able to make an independent choice and select items safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's safety is further promoted through the childminder's good understanding of how to protect the children in her care. She has a clear child protection policy which is shared with parents and has a system to record and report any concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has attended first aid training, which ensures that she is able to respond and treat minor injuries and accidents. She keeps a stocked first aid kit in the home and records all accidents to children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children play with a good range of toys and resources, for example, construction, small world play, books, puzzles, art and craft, outings and outdoor play. The childminder has a good understanding of the developmental needs of the children and plans a varied, educational and interesting programme of activities.

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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 The children are inspired to look at books and can make their own choices from a good selection of reading material. They eagerly seek out their favourite stories and snuggle on the childminder's knee to browse the pictures. Whilst looking at a book about an elephant, the children commented on the colours and could easily identify black and pink. Another book contains shapes and numbers, and the children eagerly counted familiar items and named the shapes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The environment is rich in conversation and the children's emerging language skills develop well due to the childminder's constant interaction. She skilfully recognises the opportunity to extend the children's understanding and encourages them to express their likes and dislikes. The children are confident and comfortable in the childminder's care and are confident to make their own choices. They form good relationships with each other and with adults.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children have good opportunities to become familiar with the local community. They regularly visit the local park, shops and library. Additionally, they visit schools and toddler groups to mix and play with their peers. The children learn effectively about their own traditions and the cultures of others through accessing a good range of resources which reflect positive images of race, gender and disability, and celebrate festivals such as, Christmas, Chinese New year and Saint Valentine's Day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages the children's behaviour well. The children have a good understanding of what is expected of them because the she gives clear explanations and ensures that the children know their boundaries. Praise and encouragement for good behaviour raises the children's self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children benefit from the positive working relationship with the childminder. Each day verbal information is exchanged and all records, such as accident and medication forms are completed with a parental signature. Contracts and registration information ensure that the childminder has all the information needed to meet all children's needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is committed to improving her childcare practice and has attended additional training opportunities, such as 'Birth to three matters' and health and nutrition. She as a suitable understanding of the National Standards and is fully aware of changes, for example, the Early Years Foundation Stage. This enables her to plan, organise and deliver a varied range of activities and experiences for all children.

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Organisation

The childminder provides an appropriately organised, effective and flexible service for children and their families. Most of the required records are in place and some are easily accessible. However, some documentation is not available at inspection. The certificate of registration is clearly displayed, accident and medication records are well documented. Written policies and procedures give a clear account of the operational plan for the childminding service offered; however, the procedure to follow in the event that a child becomes lost contains limited detail. Overall, the provision meets the range of the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to make an improvement to record keeping. Since the last inspection the childminder keeps a written account of existing injuries to children as part of her child protection procedure. This has improved the safety of the children in her care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 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.

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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 complaint 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): • ensure that all records are available, with regard to written parental permission for emergency medical treatment and advice • improve the procedure to be followed in the event that a child becomes lost.

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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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