Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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320554 Unique Reference Number 13 February 2008 Inspection date Shazaad Arshad 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 has been registered since 1999. She lives with her teenage child. The family live on an established residential estate in the Armley area of Leeds. The ground floor of the childminder’s house and a playroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a garden to the front and side for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children as required. She is registered to care for six children. She is currently minding three children under the age of eight years. The children attend on a part time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are provided with an environment that is clean and suitably maintained. They are kept healthy through the childminder's understanding of the need for effective health and hygiene practices. For example, children are provided with individual face cloths and towels. Children's

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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 understanding of personal hygiene is reinforced through daily routines, constant reminders and simple explanation. For instance, the childminder explains to the children that hands need to be washed to prevent them from catching germs which could make them ill. The childminder does not have a valid first aid certificate which is a breach of requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with adequate nutritional meals, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, pasta dishes and home made fish cakes, as well as fresh drinking water. Their understanding of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle is suitably promoted. For example, the childminder explains that eating healthily helps them to grow strong and have lots of energy. Children are kept free from infection through the understanding of parents not to bring children who are unwell or have a common childhood disease, such as chicken pox or measles, until completely clear.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's enjoyment of physical exercise is satisfactory promoted through regular outdoor play and walks. Daily routines and comfortable seating allow children to have periods of rest and relaxation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well cared for in a safe and secure indoor and outdoor environment. For example, doors are always kept locked when minding and children are supervised when playing outdoors. The childminder ensures that space and resources are suitably organised to allow children to move freely and independently. Toys and resources are safe, suitable and appropriate to children's needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures toys in need of replacement have passed BS EN standards which keeps children safe from harm. When taken on walks, the childminder promotes children's understanding of road safety through following the Green Cross Code when crossing the road. However, the childminder has not practised fire evacuation procedures with the children attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept free from harm through the relevant understanding of the child protection issues.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy warm, caring relationships with the childminder and receive lots of support and encouragement, which raises their levels of self-esteem and confidence. They are beginning to develop a good understanding of right and wrong which is well promoted through reinforcement and simple discussion. For example, children are asked to treat others as they themselves would wish to be treated. Regular interaction with other minded children helps to promote understanding of the reasons for sharing and taking turns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and relaxed. They show enjoyment and interest in what they do. Children particularly enjoy developing their imagination skills through role play. For example, they dress up and use musical instruments to accompany their singing. Children have access to a variety of interesting resources, which include construction, small world figures and a satisfactory range of books. Children are offered opportunities to develop their creative skills through a good range of creative materials such as paints, glue and crayons.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are respected as individuals and included fully in the setting. Their understanding of the wider environment is well promoted through regular visits to places of interest, such as the local park and farm. Children have access to a suitable range of toys and resources which promote diversity. These include a range of books depicting positive images, as well as jigsaws and dolls from other cultures. Children's individual needs are well catered for through the childminder's appropriate awareness of the surrounding issues, such as working closely with parents to ensure children's needs are effectively met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are generally well behaved and are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour. They benefit from effective behaviour strategies, such as lots of praise, encouragement and discussion about boundaries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Daily communication with parents enables them to feel included in their child's time with the childminder. Written consent is obtained for all aspects of their child's care and the childminder consults parents fully to ensure their wishes are respected. Parents are very happy with the service they receive and they feel the childminder meets their child's individual needs very well.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has created a welcoming, child friendly environment where children are confident learners. Children's welfare and learning is promoted through the adequate use of resources, space and the childminder's time. There is adequate documentation in place to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment and ability to make a positive contribution.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures children receive lots of support, praise and encouragement which promotes their self-esteem well and enhances their learning. All records of individual children, the register of attendance and accidents are adequately maintained.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to complete a number of actions in relation to documentation, safety and completing a relevant first aid course. Although a first aid course was completed, it has subsequently expired and remains as a new recommendation to complete. The childminder has addressed all other actions as the playhouse windows have been made safe, all records are stored away confidentially and there is a procedure for fire evacuation. In addressing the actions the childminder has taken positive steps to safeguard children.

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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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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 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): • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • raise the children's awareness of the procedure to be followed in the event of an emergency evacuation

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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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