Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY243057 Inspection date 13 March 2006 Inspector Thecla Grant

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2003. She lives with her husband and one child aged 3-years-old in the Cookridge area of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor and the converted garage of the childminder’s home are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time and is currently minding 3 children under 5-years all day and 2 children over 5-years after school. The childminder walks as well as drives to the local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local childminding group.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder effectively follows current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. For example, the childminder is trained in administering first aid and is proactive in maintaining her certificate. Children are learning simple good health and hygiene practices, for example, they learn how to wash their hands after going to the toilet. The childminder provides individual face cloths for the children, which they recognise well. The childminder is aware of each child's individual dietary needs. Mealtimes are a relaxed social occasion when children and adults sit together and enjoy their food and each others company. The childminder provides plenty of opportunities for the children to access outdoor activities. For example, the garden has a slide, trampoline, climbing frame and small cars. The childminder organises outings in the afternoon to indoor activity centre

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Helping children to be healthy

where children access physical play on soft play equipment. As a result, children develop the confidence to enjoy moving with control and using their bodies in various ways.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment. The accommodation is clean and in good condition, however, the room is not maintained to an adequate temperature. As a result of this the children need to wear extra top clothing. Which has an impact on their freedom of movement. The accommodation is bright and full of natural light and the safety policy and procedures effectively work in practice. For example, the childminder conducts emergency evacuation practices every two weeks and regularly checks and records the smoke alarm tests. The main entrance to the play room is locked and the key is out of reach to children. As a result, children cannot leave the childminder's home unsupervised. The childminder is committed to organising the play area to entice children to play. As a result, children enjoy playing with the wide range of age appropriate toys and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

equipment. These are stimulating and provide enough challenge. Children are successfully kept safe on outings because the safety policies work in practice. For example, the childminder uses wrist straps for the older children and push chairs for the younger children. Older children attending school are learning about road safety. Children are effectively protected because the childminder understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when

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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 necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children show keen interest in what they do they independently access the toys and confidently use their initiative. For example, 3-year-old playing shops with another child. They put the bread and vegetables into the shopping basket. The 3-year-old opens the shopping bag and puts the money into it; then tries to put the hand bag over his shoulder. He cannot get it over his shoulders so he drags it along the floor 'I just pulling on the floor' he said. Another child intently listens to a story 'There is' says the child pointing to the picture. The children know the routine of the childminder's home very well and have made positive relationships with each other and the childminder. They acquire new knowledge and skills through the childminder's well organised planning. For example, the childminder has devised work books for the children. These include work sheets of hand writing practice and counting. The childminder provides arts and crafts for the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children to enjoy. This is seen displayed on the play room walls and in the children's work book.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are competently cared for by the childminder who work effectively with parents to meet individual children’s needs and ensure they are fully included in the setting. For example, the childminder has devised a portfolio for the parents this includes the policies and procedures of the setting, sample menus and a daily plan of the many activities offered. Daily feedback is given to all parents and a written record of the children's day is given to their parents at the end of each week. The special needs policy is successfully implemented. Children are learning to do sign language and have learned simple signs. They are able to join in with the childminder to tell a simple story using only sign language. Children have a good sense of belonging and enjoy stimulating practical activities. For example, they play happily with the play dough as they make shapes. One child makes a star and the other makes a snake, the children talk about their shapes with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the childminder. The children’s interaction across the provision is very good. For example, the younger child relaxes as he enjoys a cuddle and snuggles into the childminder. As a result, children acquire social confidence and competence. Children are well behaved they know what they can and cannot do in the setting. Children work harmoniously with each other and have a very good level of engagement. For example, the 20- month-old likes to sit next to the 3-year-old at dinner time. He leaves his seat which is opposite the 3-year-old and pulls the chair closer to the older child, with the help of the childminder. The children celebrate different cultural festivals this includes foods associated with other countries. They

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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 enjoy playing with a suitable range of toys and equipment that positively reflects age, gender, disability and culture. As a result, children suitably develop respect for others. Children effectively become aware of the wider society through visits to different places of interests. For example, the fire station, Kirkstall Abbey and Elmsley farm. The children regularly attend the childminding drop in centre.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder makes good use of her space and other resources, as a result, children are well cared for and supported during their time at her home. She organises the play room and garden very well and makes sure children can effectively manoeuvre themselves around her home. The childminder works along side another childminder and has ensured all adults living and working on her premises are suitably vetted. The childminder has attended the appropriate training courses and has accessed other training to benefit the children in their care. For example, child psychology. The adult: child ratio positively supports children’s care, learning and play. For example, in the morning there are two children and two staff. In the afternoon there are three children and two staff, after school there are two more children. As a result, the group sizes and staff deployment effectively contribute to children’s good health, safety,

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Organisation

enjoyment and achievement and ability to take an active part in the setting. The childminder keeps a very good standard of documentation and all significant information is accurately recorded. As a result, policies and procedures actively work in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. The overall quality of the provision effectively meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to devise a written policy for sick children to share with parents and provide parents of young babies with daily written information of sleep routines, food intake and nappy changes. The policy for sick children is devised and is included in the parents welcome pack. A daily diary is in place for parent’s information regarding their children's sleep routines, food intake and nappy changes.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint record

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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 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): • make sure the play room is maintained at an adequate temperature.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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