Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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320284 Unique Reference Number 14 November 2007 Inspection date Thecla Grant 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 their two children aged 10 and 12 years in the Beeston are of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 minding three children under eight two full time and one after school. The childminder walks to the local schools to collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family have two dogs, two cats and one rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well taken care of if they are ill or have an accident because the childminder is proactive in keeping her first aid certificate up to date. She does this by regularly attending relevant training courses and workshops.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are mostly free from cross contamination because the childminder has an appropriate understanding of the hygiene guidelines and procedures. The childminder makes sure she washes her hands before preparing lunch and uses an antibacterial hand wash after changing the children's nappies. However, on the day of inspection. The childminder did not wash or wipe children's hands before lunch or wipe the changing mat before changing the second child.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder sufficiently promotes healthy eating by providing a balanced diet throughout the day. Drinks are readily available for the children to access independently and information on their dietary requirements is in place. Fruits are kept in a bowl for children to see what they look like before being cut into pieces.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities and rest and sleep according to their needs. The childminder knows the children very well, she knows what their comfort items are and makes sure these are in place before the children rest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a warm and welcoming indoor and outdoor environment. The play room is child orientated and provides stimulating resources for the children. Children's art work and posters reflecting the alphabet is attractively displayed on the walls. The children easily access the toys and equipment. These are age appropriate, stimulating and provide sufficient challenge.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is proactive in making sure her home is safe for children. For example, all records of fire practises are in each child's individual file as a record of their participation. The childminder checks her smoke alarms regularly and the fire plan is displayed. The childminder teaches children from a young age how to avoid accidental injury by teaching them to tidy away the toys after they finish playing with them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Very good systems are in place to make sure the children are secure whilst on the premises. For example, the childminder has close circuit television so she knows who is coming to her home. She makes sure the main door is locked and that the gate and fence surrounding the property is not easily accessible. As a result, children are secure whilst on the premises.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder has a full understanding of how to safeguard children. She is able to put appropriate procedures into practice if needed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happily involved in a broad range of activities. They have a lot of resources to choose from and confidently choose what they want to play with. For example, children enjoy

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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 playing with the push chair; they remove the dolls and push the push chair around the play room. Children enjoy dressing up they pretend to be doctors and put the stethoscope to their ears. Children enjoy their music session. They show keen interest as they play with the musical instruments, such as the drum, bells and the shakers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder extends children's existing knowledge well. For example, as they look at the pictures in the book the childminder relates the banana the child points out to the banana they had as part of their morning snack. The childminder asks the child the colour of the banana and the child says 'yellow'. Children further benefit from activities outside the childminder's home by going to different places of interest. Children also attend play groups, tots groups and visit other childminders.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder keeps pictorial records of the children's development in their profiles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are effectively cared for by the childminder because she works successfully in partnership with their parents. For example, the childminder has devised a profile for parents to see what their children take part in whilst at her home. She also gives verbal feedback on their children's day. The childminder has information on the children's comfort items and any special names they are use to.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages children's behaviour in a way that is appropriate to each child's age and stage of development. She makes sure that children are not bored or frustrated but are busy and contended. As a result children are well behaved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is proactive with regard to implementing resources that positively reflect, race, disability, gender and culture. These are mostly in easy access for the children. The childminder has attended inclusion training and has experience in caring for children with learning difficulties.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a good sense of commitment to continual improvement. She has attended relevant training and workshops which she uses well to enhance her work with the children. The childminder is conscience of the need to keep within the constraints of her registered numbers and makes sure this is implemented well.

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Organisation

The childminder has dedicated space in her home for the specific use of her childminding service. As a result, children have enough room to manoeuvre during their time with her. The childminder makes sure children are well cared for and supported during their time with her. As a result, children are happy and contended. All policies and procedures are in place and work in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution.

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Organisation

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 address issues relating to safety and resources. The childminder has resources which positively reflect images of disability she has improved the fire safety precautions by providing a smoke alarm on all levels of her home. As a result, children are safer in the childminder's home.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 1 2004 there has been one complaint made to Ofsted relating to National Standard 1 (Suitable person), National Standard 7 (Health), National Standard 9 (Equal Opportunities), National Standard 12 (Working in partnership with parents and carers) and National Standard 14 (Documentation). Actions were raised and satisfactorily met by the registered provider. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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): • make sure good hygiene practices are constantly implemented in order to prevent the spread of infection.

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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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