Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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512038 Unique Reference Number 31 October 2007 Inspection date Anna Dawson 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 2001. She lives with her husband and four children aged nine, seven, six and three years. They live in a detached house in the Meanwood area of Leeds close to transport links. The local area consists of shops, a park and farm. The dining room and purpose built play room are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently caring for three children, the family pets are guinea pigs and a cat. The childminder runs a local carer and toddler group. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating. Water or fruit juices are available at all times and food and snacks are nutritious and hygienically prepared. Eating and drinking times are sociable and enjoyable. Lunchtime menus include fresh fruit and vegetables. There

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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 is good liaison with parents to ensure children’s particular dietary needs are met. For example, baby foods are sent from home by request and particular likes and dislikes of foods are catered for.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children follow good hygiene practice after painting, baking or sticking activities, stroking the cat or guinea pigs and before and after food. The childminder models good hygiene, for example, washes hands when the baby’s nappy needs changing. There is an effective policy and procedure in place for liaison with parents in case of illness or accident. In case of accidents, the childminder is qualified to administer first aid and keeps a well-stocked first aid box, which is store securely. Accident records are effectively maintained. Written permission is secured from parents for any emergency treatments. The childminder takes good precautions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

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Helping children to be healthy

There is a clear policy adhered to for administering and storing prescribed medicine which is agreed by the childminder and the parents. However, although doses of medicine and the times administered are recorded in the home diary by the childminder, parents do not sign the record.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children experience an inviting learning environment which promotes physical development. There is an impressive range of indoor activities, for example, painting, jig-saws, cutting, sticking using a variety of media which encourage the development of children’s fine motor skills. Outdoors there are enjoyable and high quality opportunities to climb, slide, balance, to plant and grow flowers, fruit and vegetables. All these activities promote and motivate children to participate in physical activity. Toddler group is attended once a week and frequent outings promote coordination and social skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for safely within a warm, welcoming and well-lit purpose built environment. Regular checks are carried out to assess risks to children’s safety. As a result, good precautions are taken to protect children from harm. For instance, doors and gates are securely fastened; plugs are fitted with socket covers and radiators have covered guards. Outside, the pond is covered with a metal grid, the covered sand-pit is kept clean and the greenhouse is fenced off. This means that children move around safely and freely. Fire safety is given a high priority. Fire precautions include a fire blanket in the kitchen and fitted smoke alarms. There are clear procedures in place in case of emergency evacuation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Expectations and routines are clear so that children are in safe hands when they go on outings, for instance, to the local farm or when they attend the local toddler group. The childminder has all the required documentation for the transportation of children in her vehicle, including written permission from parents. The vehicle is fitted with suitable and age appropriate seat belts and car seats. Children have good access to a variety of age appropriate indoor and outdoor toys and equipment, which promotes children’s development and independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are well-protected because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of her role in child protection and safeguarding children. She has recently attended relevant training and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has very good knowledge of the individual children she cares for and successfully meets their interests and needs. Children are happy and quickly settle into activities within the welcoming and stimulating environment. Relationships are very good and consequently, children are relaxed, happy and confident in discussion. Because the provision is rich, well-organised and appropriate to the children’s needs, children find learning pleasurable. They gain a great sense of satisfaction from their achievements. Their self-esteem visibly grows as the childminder gives lots of praise and encouragement. The baby laughs and gurgles in response to games and cuddles while the older child is keen to repeat his new learning of how to work a crane.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is a good balance between activities children choose and those led by the childminder. The wide range of activities both in and out of doors encourage the children to make their choices and become independent learners. Activities led by the childminder such as painting, baking and making activities develop effectively the children’s social, creative, physical and communication skills. Mathematical development is encouraged. For example, playing with construction toys, as one child was building a tower, concepts of colour and the differences between tall and tallest were furthered through good questioning and discussion which contributed well the child’s learning. Knowledge and understanding of the wider world is clearly developed by the many outings to the locality.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is skilled in questioning and involving children in discussion and role-play to further their thinking and development. She uses her experience and good knowledge and understanding of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and beyond to plan an interesting and age appropriate range of activities for the children in her care. This helps children to make good progress in most areas of learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder values and cares for the children in her care equally well to ensure their needs are met. The partnership with parents is good. Information is sought from parents to enable the childminder to care for individual needs according to the parents’ wishes. For example, daily baby food and bottles are supplied. There are currently no children who have special needs or disabilities. However, the childminder has in the past cared effectively for the needs of these children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good range of toys and games, which reflect the diversity in society, which helps children to come to terms with the wider world. Activities and play is organised well to include all children. Children have good access to toys and games, which are stored within easy reach. Very good relationships exist as children respond to the childminder’s expectations. This leads to children being confident in making choices and speaking.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour is well managed. Sanctions are clearly explained and accepted by parents but rarely used. Children behave well because of the skilled interventions by the childminder, which positively modify behaviour. For instance, the childminder encouraged a child to participate in a balloon game rather than bounce a tennis ball near the baby. The child clearly understood after explanation from the childminder that the ball was hard and might hurt the baby. The resulting change to a balloon game became much more enjoyable and the baby also participated

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 enthusiastically, watching the colour and movement of the balloon as floated backwards and forwards.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a clear understanding of the legally required documentation and is well organised. There is a good range of written policies and procedures, which clearly detail the childminder’s expectations for parents to enable them to make an informed choice about the quality of the service provided.

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Organisation

The childminder shows a high level of commitment to her role. Training needs are identified and accessed to ensure that knowledge and skills are up to date. These regular updates to training prompt improvements in childminding practices and the care of children.

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Organisation

Space, time and resources are managed well so that children have access to a wide variety of motivating and relevant resources and activities, which meet their needs. A good balance is maintained between children initiating their own activities as well as taking part in those organised and led by the childminder. Children’s enjoyment and achievement is evident from the led activities such as making ‘bird-feeders’ and hanging them outside and watching the birds feed from them. Play space is effectively organised so that children are properly supervised and play safely. The overall photographic records kept with examples of children’s work and development are beautifully presented and valued by parents and children. Clear routines set for eating, sleeping and meal times. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve the safety of the

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Improvements since the last inspection

garden and climbing frame, and minimise the risks to children’s safety from accessibility of poisonous plants and the drain. The climbing frame is now secured firmly to the ground, the poisonous plants removed and the drain has been covered. This ensures children’s safety when they play in the garden. She was also asked to plan how an appropriate first aid course will be completed and develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. The childminder has completed a first aid course, which includes infants and young children and attended a course on safeguarding children. This ensures the childminder has the knowledge and understanding so that children to protect children and promote their welfare.

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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 the 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 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 parents sign the record book when medicine has been administered

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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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