Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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320793 Unique Reference Number 18 October 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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and 10 in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and bathroom facilities are on the first floor. 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding four children on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler and childminding groups. The family has two rabbits and fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding 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 good. Hygiene procedures are well understood and implemented. The childminder always ensures children wash their hands prior to eating and after using the bathroom. Cross-infection is fully considered; children use separate towels and bedding. The childminder observes very good practice when preparing food and uses separate coloured cloths for cleaning. Her home, toys and equipment are clean and well maintained. Good arrangements are in place to care for children who are ill. The childminder has a current paediatric first aid qualification and all appropriate parental permissions and records are in place regarding the administration of medication and recording of accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a healthy, balanced variety of freshly cooked meals and snacks throughout the day. They sit together to eat and mealtimes are a valued part of the childminding day. Drinks are easily accessible and offered to children regularly. The childminder caters well for children's individual dietary requirements and food preferences.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy regular physical activity during daily walks to and from school. They go on trips to the local parks and play in a secure garden with a good variety of equipment, such as footballs and wheeled vehicles. The childminder makes very good use of childminding groups so that the children have the opportunity to use larger equipment, such as a play parachute and take part in organised sports days. Signs of tiredness, causing frustration with toys, are recognised quickly by the childminder and she reacts promptly offering alternative play or a quiet story.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Safety precautions, appropriate to the age of minded children are in place so that children play safely. For instance, plug sockets are covered and the garden gate is securely fastened at all times. However, there is a potential danger to older children using the toilet independently as dangerous substances, such as toilet cleaner, are easily accessible. Fire safety is well considered. The childminder carries out fire drills with the children and equipment, such as a fire extinguisher and fire blanket are in place in the kitchen. Outdoor safety is effectively managed by ensuring young children are closely supervised, wear wrist bands with the childminder's number on and the childminder carries a mobile phone with her.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder provides a stimulating, child friendly environment, which is warm and welcoming. She makes very good use of her space to provide different areas for the children's play, especially when older children come back from school. Resources are plentiful and cover all learning areas. They are well presented and are easily accessible to young children, fully supporting their independence and encouraging self-help skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection procedures and is fully aware of her duty to maintain the safety and welfare of the children. She ensures she keeps up to date with training and implements good procedures to keep children safe.

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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 outstanding. The childminder gives excellent support to the children's development through her planned everyday activities, which are linked to the children's interests and the 'Birth to three matters' framework for younger children. Older children are given time, support and space to do homework after school and they enjoy a good variety of games suitable for their age afterwards. The childminder has an in depth understanding of child development and proficiently extends children's learning through play, both indoors and outside. For instance, children learn about colours as they look at the changing colours of the leaves and enjoy learning with their senses as they walk through the crunchy leaves in autumn.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children are developing very good concentration skills and sit engrossed when looking at a book on their favourite subject with the childminder. Their speech and language development is supported skilfully through handling books, hearing stories read and very good verbal communication with the childminder. Relationships between the childminder and minded children are extremely warm and caring. Children's behaviour is very good. They are settled, confident and keen to communicate with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children are gaining a very good awareness of number, colour and size through play, with for example, a wooden train set and the childminder competently introduces them to words, such as 'push', 'pull', 'big' and 'little'. All children have plenty of opportunity to enjoy creative play. Their work is displayed and they happily participate in an excellent variety of activities, such as craft, small world, music and dressing up. Young children are developing good social skills by visiting the local toddler and childminding groups where they learn to play alongside other children. The childminder makes very good use of all the local amenities to extend children's experiences and play opportunities. For instance, they enjoy story time at the local library and take bus rides to some attractions further afield.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder recognises children's differing needs and meets these well, following discussions with parents. She provides children with good quality interaction which significantly enhances their self-esteem and confidence. Children are relaxed and confident to help themselves to a wide range of resources, such as small world figures and jigsaws, which support their understanding of diversity. Trips to a children's museum help children to learn about the needs of others and the childminder reminds young children how to be gentle with small animals as they care for the pet rabbits.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a consistent approach to behaviour management which takes into account realistic expectations of children's differing abilities. The childminder is a very good role model and children's manners are excellent; they spontaneously say 'pardon me', 'please' and 'thank you'. Children are given plenty of praise for positive behaviour, giving them good support and helping to build their self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A successful partnership with parents, who have very positive views on the care their children receive, is in place. The childminder works closely with parents to settle, support and develop the children. Clear, written information is given to them on registration and policies and procedures are explained so that they are aware of the care their children receive. However, the childminder has not fully updated the written information in the complaints procedure 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 it shows an out of date telephone number for Ofsted. Parents are kept well informed of their child's day and parents of younger children are offered a daily diary, which records nappy changes, feeds and sleep times.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder makes effective use of the space within her home to allow children of all ages comfortable areas for play, quiet, homework, sleep and meals. Established routines are in place which children are settled and familiar with. For example, young children eagerly anticipate going to pick a special friend up from nursery. The childminder is aware of each child's differing needs and plans her activities accordingly to support their development. A file containing written observations, the next steps in the children's learning and photographs is shared with parents so that they are well informed of the progress their children are making. The childminder shows a good commitment to ongoing professional development and has attended a good variety of training to extend her knowledge in caring for children.

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Organisation

There is a good range of clearly written policies and procedures in place which contribute to the organisation of the setting and support the safety and well-being of the children. All required records, policies and procedures are in place. These are confidentially kept and generally well maintained contributing to the efficiency of the childminding practice. 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 develop her knowledge and understanding of the child protection procedures to be followed, if concerns were raised. It was also recommended that she ensured that written permission was obtained from parents prior to transporting children in vehicles and that parents were made aware of the contact numbers of the regulatory body. A further improvement to the safety of the children was requested by ensuring the trellising and the exposed drain in the garden were made safe. The childminder has improved the safety and well-being of the children as she has attended further training on child protection issues and has obtained written parental permission to transport children in a vehicle. Both the trellis and drain in the garden are now covered. Parents have also been advised of the telephone number for Ofsted but an incorrect number is shown in the

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Improvements since the last inspection

written complaint procedure. As a result, a further recommendation has been raised following this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to develop resources to promote disabilities in a positive manner. The range of resources is greatly improved and the recommendation is satisfactorily met.

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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 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): • minimise the risks to children, for example from hazardous substances in the toilet area • ensure that parents are advised of the regulator's telephone number, especially in relation to the complaints procedure.

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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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