Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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319951 Unique Reference Number 25 January 2008 Inspection date Melissa Louise Patel 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 1989. She is currently caring for four children on a full and part time basis. She lives with her husband and one grown up child. They live in a house in the Pudsey area of Leeds, close to local schools, parks and shops. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has no pets. The childminder attends local toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well nourished. They eat a range of healthy foods, such as scrambled eggs on toast, bolognese and cottage pie. They eat healthy snacks, such as banana and grapes. Children drink healthy drinks, such as water, dilute sugar-free juice and some fresh juice. The children's dietary requirements are met through working closely with the parents. In addition, a sample menu is provided for the parents.

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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 Children are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment. They are learning about the importance of good hygiene practice. For example, they wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. In addition, through discussion they learn the importance of hand washing. Children use separate hand towels to dry their hands to help prevent the possible spread of any infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are clear accident, sickness and medication procedures in place to support the children's welfare effectively. The children benefit as they receive lots of fresh air and exercise outdoors. They can often move independently from indoors to outdoors, as the outdoor area is easily accessible from the main indoor play area. Children can develop their physical skills by using equipment, such as sit and ride toys, a trampoline, balls, toys that rock and sand and water play. Indoors, the children can move around freely and explore, with good support from the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and well maintained environment indoors and outdoors. The children benefit as the childminder gives high priority to keeping them safe. For example, the children are supervised well and the equipment the children use is in good condition and stored appropriately. Children are learning effectively about fire safety awareness. This is because there are clear written fire evacuation procedures in place, which are practised regularly with the children. In addition, a clear record of the practises is kept. Children are kept safe as they play outdoors. This is because the children are supervised and the environment is secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are learning about boundaries in order to keep themselves safe. For example, they know which areas of the house they can go in. The children are protected well through the childminder's clear understanding of the safeguarding procedures that are in place. However, the government booklet, 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused' is not in place, in order to provide guidance to further enhance the children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a bright and stimulating environment. The rooms let in plenty of light and the toys are of good quality, varied and easily accessible to the children. This means that the children are developing their independence as they have free choice of activities as they learn through play. For example, they choose to dress up in different costumes and they use their imagination. They can use toys that pop and press and make sounds. They are developing their hand–eye coordination as they fix the bricks together. The children frequently make marks on paper and they create using painting and collage materials. Children benefit well as the environment is relaxed and they relate well to the childminder. Children access a range of good quality books. In addition, the children receive good individual attention from the childminder, which aids their learning and self-esteem. For example, the childminder talks to the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

She makes eye contact and listens to them. This also helps develop the children's language and communication skills effectively.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children benefit as the childminder has a clear understanding of the children's different needs. The activities are linked broadly to the 'Birth to three matters' framework. For example, the childminder knows what the children can and can not do, such as in their physical and communication skills, and therefore she can help them with their learning through a range of

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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 activities. However, the planning of activities is not yet fully developed in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework, in order to further enhance children's learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children's consistency of care is effectively promoted. This is because the childminder works in partnership with the parents by liaising with them daily to obtain any relevant information. In addition, the parents have access to a good range of policies and procedures, such as the policies on behaviour, settling-in and safety. Children and parents are greeted well on arrival and this promotes a welcoming environment for them. Parents receive relevant written information on what to do if they wish to make a complaint.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are learning appropriately about diversity through using suitable resources, such as books, dolls and dressing-up costumes and materials. In addition, the childminder makes children aware of different cultural events with the children through discussion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children behave well. This is because they have plenty to do and receive good support from the childminder through the daily activities and routines. They also receive praise and reassurance, for example, they receive praise for eating their snack. The children are learning house rules and boundaries. For example, they learn to consider others and to be kind to one another. Children's individual needs are met effectively through the childminder spending individual time with the children, observing them and working closely with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a safe and well-organised environment which supports their care and learning effectively. For example, they can access a good range of resources that is readily available indoors and a good range outdoors in the garden. The children are developing well as they receive good one-to-one attention from the childminder in a relaxed environment.

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Organisation

The written documentation is effective and extremely professionally promoted, in order to promote and maintain the welfare of any child and keep parents informed about the service provided. For example, there is a good range of policies and procedures available. The children benefit as the childminder has attended a range of courses to support the children's care, such as first aid, a fire safety course and a course on Makaton. This is a course that teaches a person how to understand and help other people with communication and language difficulties. 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 provider was asked to continue to update her childcare knowledge and understanding, to further enhance the good service already provided.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has continued to update her knowledge and understanding on childcare issues. For example, she has attended many different training courses, such as the Early Years Foundation Stage, food hygiene and behaviour management. This supports the children's care, welfare and learning.

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Improvements 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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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 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): • further develop the planning of activities in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework • update the documentation to include the booklet 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused'.

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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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