Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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320325 Unique Reference Number 07 January 2008 Inspection date Angela Margaret Ellis 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 has been registered since 1999. She lives with her grown up family in the Middleton area of Leeds close to local schools, shops and transport services. All of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom is used for childminding and there is a rear garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is registered to care for a maximum of six children. Currently there are nine children on roll that attend various days and times.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Child Minding Association.

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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's health is sufficiently promoted because the childminder has appropriate systems in place to gather information from parents regarding medical needs, dietary requirements and allergies. Medication records are available for inspection, however, records show that prior written consent from parents to administer medication has not been obtained from all parents. This is a breach in regulations. Written acknowledgement by parents of administration of medication given by the childminder to children is not recorded. The appropriate written consents from parents for the seeking of emergency medical advice and treatment have not been requested at the time of placement.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn simple personal hygiene practices, such as, hand washing before and after meals and after going to the after toilet. However, children share a communal towel for hand drying; therefore there is a risk of cross infection. The childminder acts in the children’s best interests if they are ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to learn the benefits of eating for their healthy growth and development appropriately. They have regular access to drinks and enjoy a varied balance of nutritious meals and snacks, this includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Children follow their individual eating routines and are encouraged to eat at their own pace and enjoy their food.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children engage in a varied range of physical activities that contribute to their health and emotional well-being. This includes physical activities indoors and outdoors, and regular outings in the fresh air to help them to develop skills and confidence. For example, children have daily walks to school, nursery and walks to the park where they can climb and balance with play equipment. Children rest and sleep according to their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in an environment where steps are taken within the home and outdoors to minimise the risks to children and where potential safety hazards are identified these are immediately attended to. The childminder has a sound understanding that children need a balance between freedom and safe limits and, therefore, encourages children to be independent and feel confident to naturally explore their environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children safely and independently select activities from a range of toys and activities that meet appropriate safety standards. Children have confidence to take risks and try out new skills as the childminder provides appropriate types of activities and gives appropriate levels of support. Through observation she learns the children's capabilities. Children learn about fire evacuation procedures because they regularly practise fire drills and a record of them is displayed. However, there is not a smoke alarm on all levels of the home used for childminding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm because the childminder acts in their best interests. For example, she has completed first aid training and has up to date information on the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. This enables her to be prepared to take any action if necessary. However, the child protection policy has not been updated in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The required documentation is in place to record accidents, incidents and existing injuries.

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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 satisfactory. Children are content in the childminder's home and their individual needs are sufficiently met in conjunction with routines, such as activities, feeds, sleep and school collections. Warm relationships between the children and the childminder contribute to their sense of being valued. Procedures for settling new children into the home are satisfactory to ensure children soon become comfortable in the childminder's care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show an interest in what they do. The childminder knows the children's likes and dislikes and, therefore, provides activities that she knows will interest and challenge them. Various age appropriate toys are provided for the children to explore and engage in. Very young non mobile children express delight when pulling themselves up from the floor to standing. Children are satisfactorily supported by the childminder when necessary, demonstrating that she understands when and when not to intervene.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from individual routines that are consistent with experiences at home, resulting in them being secure and confident in their surroundings. Children regularly socialise and extend their experiences through outings. For example, to meet with other childminders and children. Parents are satisfactorily informed of their children’s progress verbally, this suitably facilitates links with home. The outcomes for children under three years old are being satisfactorily met, the childminder has attended training and is familiarising herself with the 'Birth to three matters' framework, to positively use it and raise the quality of the outcomes for children under three years old.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children's needs are satisfactorily met by the childminder. She treats all children with equal concern, valuing and respecting their individuality. She ensures all children can take part in a range of activities appropriate to their needs and abilities, and promotes an inclusive provision for all.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop an awareness of diversity and other cultures through age-appropriate activities, for example, through books and role play activities that represent positive images of others within society. Children become aware of similarities and differences and increase their understanding of the wider world, through discussions and books as situations arise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children become aware of the local community and learn to develop a positive attitude towards others. For example, children attend the local school and pre-school and have regular walks to and from there. This helps the children learn about their local community and their environment through their routines. They also learn and develop an awareness of the seasons and wildlife through outings these outings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well in response to the childminder's consistent approach to managing behaviour. Clear and realistic boundaries are established which promotes children’s understanding of right and wrong and they learn to care about and respect each other. Children make choices and independent decisions that contribute to their own learning and development of new skills. Because the childminder provides a range of activities that captures children's interests, they behave well.

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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 Children benefit from the partnership the childminder has established with parents; friendly exchanges were observed as parents came to collect their children. There is a two-way sharing of information and expertise that allows the childminder to meet the children’s ever-changing needs. The childminder has a complaints procedure, however, it has not been updated in line with the regulations.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The organisation of the setting promotes satisfactory outcomes for children because the childminder has several years experience and continues to enjoy caring for children. She has a sound commitment to training and continued professional development by attending short courses. Skills, knowledge and experience gained through training courses contribute satisfactorily to enhancing the service further. This commitment supports children's care, learning and play appropriately.

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Organisation

Children benefit from a balance of home-based play and outings because the childminder enables the children to broaden their interests and experiences. Space and the varied range of resources are creatively organised. This enables children to participate in activities and follow their individual interests within the daily routines, to promote their welfare, care and development. In response, children are settled and content in their surroundings.

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Organisation

Most of the required records and documentation is in place and confidentiality is maintained because documents are kept secure. This effectively contributes to promoting the care and welfare of children. The childminder has compiled a range of policies and procedures, however, the child protection policy and the complaints policies are not up to date. 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

Progress has been made since the last inspection. The childminder agreed to complete an appropriate first aid course and provide a range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A first aid course has been completed and the childminder holds a valid first aid certificate. Children now have access to a range of positive images and multicultural items in the play provision that reflect diversity and acknowledge cultural differences. This enables the childminder to act in the best interest of the children.

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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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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 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 prior written consent from parents for administering medication is obtained at all times and that parents sign the medication records to acknowledge the entry • ensure that written consent from parents is requested at the time of placement for the administration of any medical advice and treatment • ensure that children have access to individual hand drying facilities to minimise the risk of cross infection • ensure that smoke alarms, which conforms to BSEN safety standards, are provided at every level of the house used for childminding and are maintained and in working order • update the child protection policy in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures • update the complaints policy in line with the regulations.

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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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