Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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319730 Unique Reference Number 18 December 2007 Inspection date Ingrid Szczerban 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 1991. She lives with her adult daughter in the Yeadon area of Leeds, in West Yorkshire. Her eldest daughter works as an assistant with her. The living room, kitchen and downstairs toilet are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor 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. There are currently six children on roll, all children are cared for on a part-time basis. The family has a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder regularly attends toddler groups and visits the library with children, and takes and collects children from school. She is a member of the Aireborough Childminding Group.

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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 learn about simple personal hygiene and personal care as part of the day's routines, for example, they are reminded to wash hands before eating and after using the toilet. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows food health and hygiene guidelines. The home is clean and tidy as the childminder follows a regular cleaning routine, which prevents the spread of infection to children. The childminder implements an effective sickness policy in order to protect children when they are ill. However, she does not have consent in writing from parents to seek any necessary emergency medical treatment or advice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate supply in order to meet their needs. These include healthy and nutritious foods, such as fresh fruit for snacks. Children's health benefits from having their need for regular meal times and rest times met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children engage in robust physical activity. Outings to local attractions and local toddler groups are undertaken on a regular basis. Thus children develop a sense of control and coordination over their bodies as they climb slides, use wheeled toys and balance on the see saw.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have enough space to move around freely in a secure and safe environment in the home. The risk of accidental injury to children is minimised as all necessary precautions are taken to keep children safe on and off the premises. The garden is fully enclosed, a fireguard is used and all electric sockets are covered. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. They know how to cross the road safely and how to evacuate the premises in case of fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have free access to their toys which are all stored in boxes and drawers at child height to foster decision making and independence. The children's artwork is displayed which instils in them a sense of pride and shows that the childminder values their creativity. Ample, suitable and safe toys are provided, thereby keeping children from harm. Children use a wide range of developmentally appropriate resources to extend all areas of their development. Toys for all age groups are replenished regularly to ensure that children are suitably challenged and that their interest is sustained. High priority is given to keeping children safe as the childminder checks all equipment each time it is used. She implements good safety practices, such as tidying away toys so that children do not fall over them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. She has attended training and knows the possible indicators and the correct procedures to follow should the need arise. Therefore children's welfare needs are fully addressed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident in their warm relationships with the childminder. They are happy and settled, deriving benefit from established routines planned around their needs which contributes to their emotional well-being. Young children communicate with each other and adults very well, they make their wishes known using simple sentences and gestures. Daily outings are

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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 undertaken and children have regular times for snacks, meals and rest. Children have a good sense of belonging in the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience a wide range of activities both inside and outside the home which expand learning in all areas of their development. They attend a toddler group every week which fosters communication, creativity, physical skills and expands their experience and understanding of the wider world. Children are thoroughly absorbed and occupied in stimulating and challenging activities. These are planned to take into consideration seasonal changes, children's interests and current festivals. For example, the children are currently making decorations and gifts for Christmas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children have fun as they develop their hand-eye coordination playing throw and catch with a large ball. Older children are encouraged to expand their advanced literacy skills. They take great pride in writing out instructions of how to make Christmas decorations. All children enjoy role play. They act out their own ideas, such as making breakfast and pretending they are at the doctors. Children love music. They take pleasure in singing songs into the microphone and playing musical instruments.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children begin to appreciate similarities and differences and develop positive attitudes to others because a selection of toys and books that promote aspects of diversity are provided. They learn about other ways of life through discussions with the childminder. She brings back artefacts, such as models of Masai warriors from Kenya, to talk about. Children sometimes eat food from other countries, such as pasta, fajitas and risotto, thus they begin to appreciate and value diversity. Suitable arrangements would be made to care for children with learning difficulties.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are polite and well-behaved. They receive good levels of individual attention and are kept interested and occupied. Children can share and are learning how to resolve their own minor conflicts. Children choose their preferred activities and show good consideration for each other. The older children prepare activities for the younger children. Good use of praise and encouragement builds children's self-esteem and they are confident and self-assured.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the effective partnerships which are established with parents. They are happy and settled with the childminder as they have attended for a number of years. The childminder records full details about children to promote continuity of care and their well-being. Regular discussions with parents take place about the children's daily activities. Parents are warmly welcomed and when collecting children, stay for a while to talk about their progress over a hot drink.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder effectively organises space, routines and resources to meet the needs of the children. Children receive good levels of individual support, time and attention from the childminder and her assistant. The required documentation for the efficient and safe management of the setting, is mainly satisfactorily. However, the written parental agreements for the assistant to have sole charge of minded children, do not include specific times. Children

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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 are kept safe due to the childminder's good awareness of vetting procedures for adults and adult-child ratios are maintained appropriately.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to ongoing training and has attended courses including child protection, behaviour management and learning difficulties. Both the childminder and her assistant hold a current first aid certificate. 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

Following the last inspection recommendations were made regarding documentation, fire safety and the organisation of space. The childminder has addressed all the recommendations to improve outcomes for children. She has displayed the contact numbers for reporting child protection concerns, thereby ensuring the welfare needs of children are met. Monthly fire drills are undertaken and a record is kept by the childminder thus improving fire safety routines for children. The childminder has created more space for children to play by removing some furniture from the living room.

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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 the written parental consents for the assistant to have sole charge of minded children, include the specific times that are agreed • request written consent from parents for the seeking of any necessary emergency medical treatment or advice for children.

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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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