Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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319990 Unique Reference Number 20 November 2007 Inspection date Linda Filewood 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 1992. She lives with her husband and teenage child in Meanwood, a suburb of Leeds. The whole ground floor and small rear bedroom of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden 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 12 children, who attend for a variety of sessions before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The clear hygiene procedures in place in the childminder's home, helps the children keep healthy. Cross infection is well considered and children use paper towels when drying their hands. A

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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 regular routine of washing hands as soon as children come in from school is followed and they also use wipes to clean their hands before eating. Children have a good understanding that germs on their hands could make them ill. The childminder has a written sickness policy, which is shared with parents, so they are fully aware of when their children should not attend. All accidents and any medication administered are well recorded and signed by parents, to ensure that they are kept fully informed. However, parental permissions to seek emergency advice or treatment, should it be required, have not been obtained and this does not fully support the children's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides a light snack when children come in from school. They enjoy, for example, homemade soup on a cold day and they are given choice between a hot or cold snack, such as sandwiches. Water is easily accessible and they use their own water bottles. The childminder discusses children's individual dietary needs with their parents to make sure these are well catered for.

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Helping children to be healthy

Daily walks to and from school ensures that children have plenty of fresh air in all weathers. Older children are fully aware that this keeps them fit and builds their strength. On light nights, children enjoy playing in the garden, especially on the slide. The childminder makes good use of local amenities, such as the park, to offer children the opportunity for outdoor play in a larger area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Sufficient safety equipment is in place in the childminder's home, which is appropriate for the age of the minded children. For example, smoke alarms are tested regularly and a fire blanket is well sited in the kitchen. The garden is well enclosed offering children a safe, secure place for outdoor play after school on light nights. The children have a good understanding of keeping themselves safe, especially when walking to and from school. They know they must keep the childminder in sight at all times, if they are away from the roads and that they must cross the roads together. Parents have given their permission for some outings but it is very specific and does not allow for all trips away from the setting. A fire evacuation procedure is in place for the home and is well logged. Children practice this regularly and are fully aware of what to do in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good range of resources in place that keeps the children fully occupied and engaged. Equipment is age appropriate and of good quality. Resources are very easily accessible to all the children and this allows them freedom of choice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's welfare is well protected, as the childminder has a clear understanding of the correct procedures to follow, should she have a concern about a child in her care. A written child protection policy and arrangements for the safe collection of children are advised to parents, which ensures that children's safety is maintained at all times. Security of the premises is usually good but occasionally, a door is not locked, allowing visitors to enter the premises without the childminder's knowledge and this impacts on the children's safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder provides a good range of resources and activities, which keeps the children fully engaged and interested in their play. Children settle very quickly on their arrival from

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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 school and know the routine of hand washing before they start playing or have snack. They play very well together and join easily to play imaginative games, each child taking part. The childminder gives the children plenty of support and encouragement, especially when doing homework, such as spellings, which helps develop their self esteem and confidence. She spends time talking to the children, is interested in them and what they do.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Warm relationships are evident between the childminder, her family and the children. The children are well settled and at home in their environment and chat happily to each other. They are encouraged to make their own choices in their play and confidently make decisions, when choosing from the large range of resources. They know what is available to them and they enjoy exploring the contents of boxes of dolls dressing up clothes, for instance. They know where extra resources are stored and readily ask for extra craft resources when needed. Craft activities, such as play dough or sticking, are always available. The childminder knows the children well and provides plenty of activities, including outdoor play, that she knows interest them and are suitable for them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder gives the children satisfactory support in understanding each other's similarities and differences. She makes appropriate use of discussions, when an opportunity is offered and has improved her range of resources, to support the children's awareness of diversity and the world around them. The childminder recognises children as individuals and regardless of gender, makes sure they have access to the full range of activities and resources. She has experience of working with children, who have English as an additional language and demonstrates suitable and understanding ways to support their communication skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children's behaviour is good. They are settled, confident and keen to communicate with the childminder. Good manners are encouraged and the childminder acts as a good role model for them. Children cooperate well with each other, especially in imaginative games and they readily share resources. The childminder manages children's behaviour in a way that is appropriate to each child's age and stage of development. House rules are displayed, so that children are well aware of what is expected of them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a well established partnership with parents in place and the childminder verbally exchanges appropriate information with parents about their child's day. A file containing brief, written policies and procedures is shown to new parents, so that they are aware of the childminder's practices and procedures. Sufficient information is exchanged with parents, to ensure that the childminder supports the children's care needs appropriately.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder's home is welcoming and child-orientated so that children have independent, comfortable and safe access to areas for play, rest and eating. Children are familiar and secure in their daily routines before and after school. Resources are easily accessible, encouraging children's independence and confidence. Children are supervised appropriately, especially on the journeys between school and the childminder's home, to ensure that they are safe at all times.

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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 The childminder has developed a satisfactory range of written policies and procedures to support her practice. These are shared with parents to keep them suitably informed. Documentation is sufficiently organised, all children's records are confidentially maintained and most parental permissions to support the children's care, safety and welfare are in place. The childminder has maintained her first aid qualification and keeps up to date with any changes to childcare practices, for example the introduction of the early years Foundation Stage.

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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 previous inspection, the childminder was asked to ensure parents signed all records of medication that had been administered, written permission was obtained to seek emergency advice and treatment and the emergency evacuation plan reflected all areas of the setting. Children's safety has been improved, as the medication record shows that parent's signatures are now always obtained, especially prior to the administration of medication. The fire drill covers all the areas of the childminder's home that are used for childminding. However, the childminder has still to obtain parental permission for seeking emergency advice or treatment, should it be required and this remains a recommendation as a result of this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

It was also recommended, that the childminder ensured that children had an appropriate range of activities and resources that promoted equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder has improved her range of resources and encourages all children to play with the resources available to them, supporting their understanding of others.

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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): • ensure written permission is obtained from parents for outings and to seek emergency advice and treatment • ensure premises are made secure so that entry to the setting is monitored.

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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 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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