Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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320035 Unique Reference Number 26 November 2007 Inspection date Christine Snowdon 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 since 1995. She lives with her husband and their two teenage children in Garforth, a residential suburb of Leeds. Schools, a park, a library and shops are within easy walking distance. For childminding purposes the conservatory, dining kitchen and first floor bathroom are used. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a pet dog and a rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years and is currently caring for four children all under five years who attend for part-time care. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder has good hygiene routines which keep the premises very clean and well maintained. Children learn to keep themselves clean as they wash

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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 their hands after using the toilet and before meals. Each child has their own flannel and towel, these practices along with the sickness policy effectively reduce the risk of cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well nourished and are learning about healthy eating as the childminder encourages them to eat nutritious, fresh food such as fruit and vegetables. They go with her to the local shops to buy the produce and she talks to them about the benefits of good food. They benefit from the varied and nutritious meals that the childminder prepares and cooks for them, for example, new potatoes, fish, broccoli and carrots followed by yoghurt. Drinks such as water and juice are readily available for the children. Their individual dietary needs are met well as the childminder and parents work together.

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Helping children to be healthy

All children have daily opportunities for physical play. They walk to and from nursery, to the local shops and to the library. They particularly enjoy playing in the garden where they pedal and steer wheeled toys or climb, swing and balance using the large apparatus. During good weather they enjoy the water and sand play. All these activities effectively promote their physical well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children stay safe as the childminder pays careful attention to their safety both within the setting and on outings. The children move around with confidence as the childminder has organised her space and resources effectively. They benefit from the very child orientated conservatory in which they self-select their own toys and develop their independence. There is a good range of resources that the childminder rotates so that children enjoy a good variety. All are of a good, clean condition and meet the safety standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in an environment which is free from hazards as the childminder is very safety conscious. For example, children play happily in the dining area of the kitchen due to the effective use of the safety barrier. They learn about the dangers of traffic and how to cross the roads safely using the pelican crossing and watching for the green man. This is reinforced when the childminder reads a story about road safety whilst the children sit on her knee and listen. The childminder has an emergency evacuation plan in place and this is practised regularly with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has completed child protection training and has a sound understanding of child protection procedures. This means that she is knowledgeable about how to protect children should the need arise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are exceptionally settled and happy in the childminder's home. They are very confident in their surroundings and are eager and enthusiastic to participate in the wide range of well-planned activities. The childminder has a very calm and caring manner and is attentive and highly sensitive to each child's individual needs. As a result, children have a very close relationship with her which increases their sense of trust and helps them develop a strong sense of self. The childminder ensures her time is spent effectively as she plays alongside them, asking them questions and developing their knowledge and understanding in a fun and enjoyable manner. For example, whilst playing with the dough she asks how many candles on the cake and they laugh together as they pretend to blow them out. Very young children are developing

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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 their speech and language skills as she talks to them constantly and they repeat the various words. They point to the poster on the wall as they name the various pictures and make the animal sounds. They laugh and chuckle as they roll on the floor and say 'more' as the childminder tickles them. They love the music tapes and enjoy singing and dancing to the action rhymes. For example, they laugh and giggle as they do the arm actions to the jingle jangle scarecrow song. This is a very happy and homely environment with lots of laughter and fun.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children of all ages enjoy the many creative opportunities she plans and provides for them. This includes weekly baking sessions when they make cakes, buns and biscuits. They tell the inspector that they like eating them the best. They paint, have gluing and sticking sessions and help to make their own play dough. They get out and about regularly and particularly enjoy the train and bus journeys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are warmly welcomed into the childminder's home and have equal access to the resources and activities provided. They are encouraged to develop positive attitudes and understanding of our diverse society through discussions and resources. These include books, dolls, play food and small world figures and they enjoy a range of meals such as mild curry and rice dishes. The maps and posters displayed around the play areas help them to learn about similarities and differences and the wider world in which they live.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is very good. They know what is expected of them and follow the childminder's simple rules. They receive positive praise and encouragement for all they do and say and their individual achievements are recognised. For example, the childminder congratulates them for making such a good model from the play dough and suggests keeping it to show the parents. This actively promotes their self-esteem and confidence. Children play very well together, sharing resources and taking turns. Older children are very caring and considerate towards the younger children. Children benefit greatly from the very positive partnership that the childminder has developed with the parents. They receive daily verbal feedback on their child's routine and the activities they take part in. This is reflected in the baking treats the children take home for the parents to sample, along with their paintings and art work. The very

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Helping children make a positive contribution

positive letters written by parents in readiness of the inspection signify their complete satisfaction and reflect on the quality of care their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The majority of the childminder's organisation is effective and used well to support her practice. Space and resources are well organised so that children instigate their own play and learning. The childminder has a sound knowledge of the National Standards and takes appropriate steps to ensure all appropriate adults in the household are vetted.

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Organisation

All documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is in place. This includes contracts and detailed consent records. The childminder plans in advance to ensure she renews her first aid certificate before it expires. This ensures she has the appropriate skills and knowledge should the need arise. Each child has their own folder for confidentiality and these include relevant details to ensure their continuity of care. Individual registers of attendance are also included. However, these are not all kept up to date. The registration

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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 certificate along with the Ofsted poster and her training certificates are openly displayed for parents.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the recommendation raised at the last inspection, children now have a good range of resources to use that reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. These enable children to learn about similarities and differences, their local community and the wider world.

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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 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): • ensure registers of attendance are kept up to date.

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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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