Childminder, Out-of school day care in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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320167 Unique Reference Number 20 August 2007 Inspection date Linda Filewood 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 was registered in 1997. She lives with her family in Horsforth, a suburb of Leeds. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler groups. The family has two cats.

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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 satisfactory. Children enjoy a healthy, balanced variety of cooked meals and snacks during the day. The childminder offers drinks to the children regularly, particularly after physical play. She is aware of the children's individual dietary needs through discussions with their parents. Children sit

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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 together as a family with the childminder to eat their meals and young children are given appropriate support in learning to feed themselves.

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Helping children to be healthy

Hygiene procedures are satisfactorily understood and implemented. The childminder always ensures that children wash their hands after using the bathroom and use their own towel when drying their hands. Children play in a clean environment and equipment used by the children is regularly washed. The childminder has maintained a first aid qualification, which ensures children are adequately looked after if they become ill. Although, she does not obtain written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment. Registers are in place to record any medication given but some are not countersigned, as acknowledgement by a parent or guardian.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from physical play and have a good variety of play opportunities to encourage their physical development. They enjoy, for example, playing in the garden with the good variety of equipment and visiting local amenities which offer soft play facilities. Young children are given appropriate support, through the availability of suitable equipment, to develop their walking skills. The childminder recognises signs of tiredness in the children and provides periods of rest and relaxation in her daily routine.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder promotes a satisfactory awareness of safety throughout the day. Sufficient safety features are in place indoors, such as a fireguard around the fire and a fire blanket in the kitchen, to ensure that children play and develop in a reasonably hazard free environment. During outings young children are strapped into a pushchair and older children hold hands. However, the childminder has not obtained written permission from parents to take children on outings or to transport them in a vehicle. When playing outside, the childminder ensures that the gates are securely fastened and blocked off so children are prevented from using them. Children are beginning to learn about possible hazards within the home. For example, they are encouraged to tidy up and regularly practise the fire evacuation drill.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Resources are well presented, clean and easily accessible to the children, promoting their independence and confidence. The childminder ensures that children make choices in their play as they investigate the contents of the toy boxes. The wide range of toys and equipment is suitable for the ages and stages of development of the children attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected at all times. The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues. She ensures she keeps up to date with training and implements effective procedures for the safe collection of children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder provides the children with a good range of activities and play opportunities that encourage their development. She supports the children's understanding of colours and number through play and makes good use of mathematical language during her conversations with the children. For instance, they talk about the colour and size of the cars that are being put into the top of the car transporter and decide whether it is full or not. The childminder actively stimulates language development as she converses with the children She encourages them to speak clearly and makes sure she understands what they are saying to her. The

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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 childminder constantly offers the children good encouragement and praise, raising their levels of self-esteem and confidence. The children are very settled in the childminder's home and enjoy warm relationships with her. They confidently ask for help when needed and go to her for a cuddle when tired.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have many good opportunities for contact with other children and adults which help to develop their social skills. They play well alone or when sharing with others. For example, younger children play with cars whilst others model with play dough joining together afterwards to play happily on the swings outside. Outings are well planned and often taken with another childminder and children to enhance their enjoyment. Children's creative development is fostered well as they enjoy baking, painting, gluing and drawing. They enjoy listening to music and stories, especially during a quiet time after lunch.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children have access to sufficient equipment and play opportunities which support their awareness of the wider world. However, they play with a limited range of resources which help support their understanding of disability. They often visit local amenities, such as the farm, park and historical places of interest to broaden their knowledge of their local community. Children are valued and their individual needs are suitably catered for. The childminder is interested in the children and responds well to what they say and do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses age appropriate methods for managing the children's behaviour. She encourages good behaviour and helps children understand what is expected of them. As a result, the children generally behave well and play together successfully. Children are consistently reminded about their manners and are learning to be polite and courteous.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is an effective partnership with parents in place. Children benefit from a two way sharing of information with parents about their individual needs so that they receive continuity in their care. The childminder discusses her policies and procedures with the parents at the time of placement and offers a flexible settling in period to new children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Available space and resources are well utilised; children move around freely and they have choice in their play. The number of children in place at any one time is usually kept low, thus offering good adult support and interaction. The childminder provides a warm, welcoming environment and the consistent daily routines give children security. She has attended further training in different aspects of childcare and this enhances the service offered to children and their families.

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Organisation

The children's welfare and care is promoted satisfactorily. Parents are made aware of the service the childminder provides and her duty to the safety, care and welfare of the children. Documentation is maintained confidentially and is sufficiently organised. Most records and registers required for the efficient management of the provision are in place and are generally accurately maintained contributing sufficiently to the safety and well-being of the children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range 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 ensure that children had an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The provider has now extended her range of equipment to raise the children's awareness of diversity and the world around them. However, there is still a limited range of resources to support their understanding of disability.

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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

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): • ensure that all entries in the medication records are signed as acknowledgement by a parent or guardian • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment, taking children on outings and transporting them in a vehicle • ensure that children have an appropriate range of resources that promote the positive image of disability.

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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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