Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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320618 Unique Reference Number 22 January 2008 Inspection date Dawn Bonica Brown 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 1999. She lives with her husband and adult son in a house in Rodley, near Leeds. The whole of the ground floor 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 caring for three children aged under five years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have a good awareness of healthy practices as hand washing hygiene is maintained through encouragement to wash their hands, and praise for remembering to do so. They are supported to become independent because the childminder shows them how to keep themselves clean when potty training and older children are given consistent reminders to wash their hands,

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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 as well as being supervised. Children learn about oral hygiene through brushing their teeth under supervision from the childminder, who obtains permission from parents to do so.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children remain healthy because the childminder consistently follows good hygiene practices to prevent the spread of infection, such as using paper towels for hand drying. She is very knowledgeable about how to prevent cross-infection, such as ringworm and thread worms. Children are protected further because the childminder keeps surfaces clean and disposes of nappies in an outside bin for the sole use of nappies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from clear procedures regarding sickness. For example, children who are contagious do not attend. This prevents the spread of contagious ailments and acts in the best interests of children to protect all children being cared for. Children's welfare and well-being are closely protected because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This means that she has the relevant knowledge to administer first aid promptly in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and have good access to drinks. They eat mainly fruit for snacks and the childminder does not encourage sweets. Children drink water as the childminder works with parents to wean children away from sweets and sweet drinks. Children receive breakfast, but parents provide their children's meals, which are brought in sealed containers and stored appropriately. Their allergies are managed well because the childminder obtains information from parents about special diets and allergies before children start. She also makes sure that any food provided by parents is not allergic to other children in her care. Children benefit from the childminder's teamwork with parents and the good exchange of information between them, such as diary sheets about how much or what children have eaten, and their regular routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in regular physical play outside through play in the garden with a wide range of equipment, such as a slide, climbing frame, home corner, sit and ride, other wheeled toys and water play. They enjoy frequent trips to the park to play with balls, have picnics, feed the ducks and see small animals on a children's farm, as well as visits to the library, where they enjoy story times with puppets.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a range of stimulating activities in a warm, welcoming environment that is safe. The premises are well maintained and space is used creatively to encourage children's independence and to promote their all-round development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use good quality equipment, such as a high quality cooking centre, a range of dolls, musical instruments and activity toys for young children to push, pull, twist, poke and press, which helps develop their fine motor skills. Their hand-eye coordination is promoted through various activities that include shape sorters, hand puppets, jigsaws and stacking toys. Older children enjoy games with rules and matching games, such as finding opposites. The childminder maintains children's interest by rotating the variety so that they do not get bored.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risks to children are minimised through good risk assessments both inside and outside the home. All the required safety equipment is in place and the fire blanket is well positioned in the kitchen for easy access. Smoke detection equipment is tested monthly and the childminder has good emergency procedures in place.

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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 Children are well protected from abuse through the childminder's very good understanding of child protection. She has a child protection policy and is well trained in child protection procedures. The childminder is very knowledgeable about the potential signs and symptoms that would cause concern and retains the correct contact details for reporting. This means that she can act quickly in the children's best interests to safeguard their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from good settling-in procedures, as parents bring children for short periods regularly before they are minded. This helps them to interact with the other children and become familiar with routines. The childminder sometimes visits children in their own home before they are minded so that she can talk to them about the things that would help them to enjoy being in her home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are involved in a broad range of planned activities and spontaneous events. They enjoy listening to stories, manipulating play dough, using cutters and shape sorters, and painting with brushes, sponges and other printing equipment. They take part in creative activities, learn how to dress themselves through activities that involve 'dressing the bear' and gain coordination skills through games, such as threading and using peg boards.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children demonstrate very good relationships with childminder, who gives them lots of individual attention and encourages their language development by helping them to remember the names of people and objects. They are confident and make decisions because they follow their own learning agendas through choosing toys that are meaningful to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are allowed time to explore their environment and resources independently and at their own pace through unrestricted play. For example, toys they are interested in are available for them at all times and other toys are introduced to them to encourage their development. They benefit from the childminder's approach to extend their learning during activities by helping to broaden their vocabulary, widen their interests and foster the development of their skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect so that they learn to be polite. They are well behaved as the childminder encourages good behaviour through positive strategies, such as praising good behaviour and distracting inappropriate behaviour from younger children, which helps them to overcome moments of tension. The childminder is knowledgeable about managing the behaviour of a range of age groups and uses incentives for older children, including tick charts and reward schemes, such as choosing the next outing, meal or activity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are positive about the provision as the childminder maintains a daily verbal exchange of information with them, as well as providing daily charts of children's activities. Children have their individual needs met because the childminder works closely with parents. She talks about significant events in their day, such as learning new words, new toys that children are interested in or new friends they have made at toddler group. The childminder uses documentation well to ensure that parents are aware of how she operates.

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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 childminder's positive attitude towards disabilities and she is aware of how to adapt activities to ensure that all children are included. Children take part in activities which help them to value diversity, such as looking at books and listening to stories about disability and cultural diversity. They learn to value the differences in society through play with resources that reflect positive images of cultural diversity and disability, and with non-stereotypical toys.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare is promoted through good maintenance of the records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision. Children are well cared for because the childminder has a good knowledge of child development.

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Organisation

Children benefit from good organisation of their day because the childminder follows their individual routines and puts their needs first. She demonstrates a sense of purpose and commitment to providing good quality childcare. However, training in new developments in childcare has not been continued. Space and resources are used well to provide a welcoming, child-orientated environment. 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 childminder was recommended to ensure that books are made more easily accessible to younger children and to obtain written documentation from parents about administering medication and taking children on public transport and in a car.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's welfare has improved because the childminder obtains written permission to transport children in a car and to take them on public transport. There is written permission to administer medication and young children's access to books has improved.

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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

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

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 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): • continue to keep abreast of recent developments in childcare.

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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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