Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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320126 Unique Reference Number 23 January 2008 Inspection date Jane Elizabeth O'Callaghan 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 1997. She lives with her husband and three children aged six, 10 and 13 years on the outskirts of Leeds. They whole of the ground floor and upstairs bathroom of the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding five children. The childminder takes and collects from local schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties. She attends the local carer and toddler group and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder encourages children to wash their hands in the bathroom and they independently use wipes to clean themselves up after messy play, after going to the toilet and

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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 before meals. Younger children are seen to wipe their hands before and after having a nappy change, with the help of the childminder. She also takes good steps to ensure all toys and equipment used are cleaned weekly. The childminder has a written nappy changing routine, which she explains to parents. All children have their own individual flannels and towel which are stored in the bathroom. This ensures that children are free from cross-infection through a thorough hygiene routine throughout their daily care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has informative policies on caring for children who are ill whilst in her care. This includes incubation periods and she insists that parents read this policy along with others on administering medication, receiving emergency treatment and also accidents. However, some accidents forms are not always given to parents. The childminder has a relevant first aid certificate and also first aid boxes, which are checked regularly. A small first aid box is taken out on outings with the childminder. This ensures that children are cared for in a healthy environment.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides all snacks; main meals are provided by the parents. She ensures that all meals are stored and heated correctly. Children receive healthy and nutritious snacks throughout the day. For example, children are given fresh fruit, raw vegetables, toast, biscuits, raisins and breadsticks. The childminder is fully aware of hygiene procedures, ensuring that all surfaces are cleaned regularly, and has attended a food health and hygiene course. The childminder asks parents at their initial visit about children's special dietary needs and these are recorded in their registration forms and are updated frequently.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has good knowledge of 'Birth to three matters' framework. She has obtained this through extensive reading and attending training. The childminder ensures that she works using this with the under three year olds, and endeavours to treat all children equally.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder offers a very safe and secure home for minded children. Children have access to all of the downstairs and the upstairs bathroom. Children can also access a safe back garden which is very well fenced off for the children to play in, although always with the supervision of the childminder. This ensures children have ample space to move around freely and confidently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder keeps all toys and activities accessible to the children and, due to the vast amount of toys, she rotates these on a daily basis. She checks the toys and equipment for safety and cleanliness daily and ensures all they are all clean and safe for children to access. This ensures that children are cared for in a clean environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an in-depth fire drill procedure and an evacuation plan which is shown to parents. These are practised and recorded regularly. She also has a fixed fire blanket and extinguisher in the kitchen and these along with three smoke alarms are all tested frequently. The childminder ensures that anyone coming to collect a child whom she is not familiar with is introduced to her or a photograph shown prior to the child being collected. She has written procedures for lost and uncollected children, which are shown to parents. The childminder uses her own car, has parents' written permission, and has made everyone aware of the new legislation of child car seats through available information displayed. She also has permission to take children on outings and, although she has contact numbers in her mobile, she also carries them

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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 written down in case the mobile does not work. This ensures that children in the care of the childminder are in a very safe environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has vast knowledge and understanding in regards to the safeguarding of children. She has in-depth policies, relating to all of the four areas and also how she protects herself and family. She has attended various amounts of training, including the recent part one and two course. The childminder informs parents of this policy and ensures that they fully understand the procedure. This ensures that children are cared for in a safe environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children are extremely happy and relaxed and thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and her family. The children relate well to the childminder and are able to extend their social, physical and learning skills through regular visits to groups in the community and further afield. For example, they visit local parks, childminding groups, toddler groups and places of interest. These provide the children with an excellent range of experiences and challenges in interesting settings.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are eager to participate. The childminder is sensitive to their individual needs and offers a flexible child-led approach to the activities and resources they want to access. She skilfully adapts what she offers to ensure all the children take part. This enables the younger children to be involved in an excellent selection of creative resources. For example, children access suitable books and experience tactile and sensory materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children play very well, with interaction from the childminder when appropriate. For example, children present were sat on floor with childminder, doing a jigsaw, and then childminder played 'hospitals' with the children, taking temperatures, bandaging up and listening to the heart with a stethoscope, all with a pretend hospital kit. The children also have a wide range of books suitable for their age and stage of development. For example, some hardback books, some picture books and also story books. These the children handled confidently and independently. This fosters the children's listening skills and helps them recognise things that are familiar to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder does an extensive range of topics; these are age-related and interest the children. For example, the children had recently celebrated Christmas, making cards for parents, and also children have made their own personal place mats. There are photographs displayed with the children having lots of fun playing with gloop, face painting, having a pirate theme day and playing indoors with the sand. This ensures that children are developing their skills in an enjoyable and fun environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are superb positive, caring relationships established, which promote children's confidence and communication skills. The childminder listens to the children, answering their questions with care and thoughtfulness. The children develop a strong sense of self-esteem, which is evident within the ages of the children present.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has an excellent collection of resources that reflect all areas of equal opportunities. For example, dolls from different cultures, books, scrap books and jigsaws, and

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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 she also celebrates various festivals. The children learn about different cultures around the world and their local community through visits to local abbeys, tropical world centres and museums. The childminder has an excellent list of different festivals that she celebrates with the children. The childminder feels that it is important to discuss in detail and explain to the children all about how different cultures celebrate and the reasons behind these celebrations. This means that children of all ages learn about the wider world and also their local community. The childminder has a detailed policy and this is given to parents to read and sign. In the policy it explains about children being treated individually, regardless of their age, gender, culture and ability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a written behaviour policy that explains to parents how she handles any problems that occur whilst the children are in her care. The policy explains that she removes children from the situation, explaining why the behaviour is unacceptable. She works with parents keeping them informed of any concerns. This is done in a confidential manner and a record is kept in an incident book.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder feels that she is a good role model to the children in her care. She encourages children to be polite, for example, ensuring they say 'sorry', 'thank you' and 'please'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents; she provides daily diaries and parents are given a copy of these daily. The information included in these explains to the parents what the child has done through the day, what they have eaten and how they have generally been. This ensures that the parents' wishes and child's needs are met. The childminder always ensures that she makes time for verbal feedback at the end of the day. The childminder has a very informative parent pack that is given to them when they start at the childminder's. The pack contains a high standard of information. For example, it has all the policies required, information relating to all her family, activities that the childminder provides and other information. All documentation is completed, including registration forms with parts for permission for the childminder to administer medication, record accidents, allergies, emergency treatment and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

contact numbers. Parents are also given up to date information about the new regulations in relation to the making of a complaint. At the entrance hall of the childminder's home there is an informative noticeboard where she displays her certificate of registration and other useful information. This ensures children are cared for according to parents' wishes and children's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a lot of experience with caring for children with disabilities. She always does research into the disability, through attending any courses available. For example, the childminder has attended courses on language, makaton, autism and dyslexia. The childminder feels it is of great importance to work closely with parents, schools and other agencies. This ensures that children's needs are met wherever possible.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder attends extensive training whenever possible and is aware of the importance to keep up to date with any new developments and requirements. For example, the childminder has already attended the new Early Years Foundation Stage course and has all relevant information to hand.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps a register of children's attendance, showing daily times and departure of each child. All documentation is kept for the required period of time and confidentiality

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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 maintained throughout. For example, all children's contracts are kept in a file away from other adults and children in a high cupboard. The childminder ensures that the registration certificate and her insurance are displayed for parents to see and that parents can have access to the children's up to date registration forms.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At last inspection the childminder was asked to develop her knowledge and understanding of the reporting procedures for child protection issues. The childminder has attended both part one and two of a safeguarding children course in 2005. She has an in-depth policy explaining the procedure and she also informs parents about her role and asks them to read the policy. The childminder also has relevant information and knows who to contact if required. This ensures children are cared for in a safe environment.

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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 all parents receive accident information.

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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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