Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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320740 Unique Reference Number 06 February 2008 Inspection date Alison Margaret Walker 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 outstanding. 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 their two children aged 11 and 13 years in Halton, which is a residential suburb of Leeds. The playroom, dining kitchen and ground floor cloakroom are used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor 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 minding three children aged between one and three years on a part time and full time basis. The childminder walks to the local nursery to take and collect children. She attends local toddler groups on regular basis. The family has a small dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Older children very clearly understand why they need to wash their hands after toileting or stroking the family dog and before eating, and do this independently and enthusiastically. They

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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 pretend to wash their hands whilst playing with the toy kitchen. The childminder has very high standards of cleanliness and promotes excellent hygiene routines with all the children throughout the day. She gives constant reminders and provides individual towels for each child which are laundered daily to prevent the risk of cross infection. Effective arrangements are in place for first aid and administering medication. Well stocked first aid kits are available in the home and car, and one is taken on outings. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate which she always keeps up to date. A concise, written sickness policy is in place which includes information on infection and exclusion. The policy is clearly explained to the parents at the time of placement and they also receive a copy for future reference.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are able to freely access drinks at all times. They clearly know which is their own drink as they have their own water bottles and cups. Parents provide their children with a packed lunch which is always healthy as the childminder works with parents to promote healthy eating. The childminder provides a very nutritious range of snacks which the children thoroughly enjoy. For example, they tuck into a selection of apple, orange, grapes and blueberries. Children have very healthy appetites and thoroughly enjoy their food, sitting together happily and feeding themselves independently. All food and drink provided is in full agreement with the parents. All information on each child's individual dietary needs, likes and dislikes are recorded accurately by the childminder before the child starts attending and these are regularly updated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children thrive as they thoroughly enjoy an extensive range of activities which contribute to their good health and physical well-being. They play in the garden on a wide variety of high quality small and large physical equipment, with high levels of skill and confidence. They enjoy walks to local places of interest, and visit the local parks, library, toddler groups and the local children's centre on a regular basis. The childminder is very knowledgeable about what activities to provide to develop children's overall physical development. The children can confidently hop, skip, jump and manoeuvre around obstacles. At a recent session on movement development at the children's centre, they have learnt the delights of spinning. The childminder understands that spinning can help children's eye alignment which helps with their reading.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are very well cared for in an extremely inviting, secure and safe environment. There is excellent evidence of children’s play and creative activity. The children enjoy attending very much, they settle well and are happy and confident. Space is used imaginatively and activities are very well organised. There is a play room specifically designated to childminding. There is suitable low-level storage so children can see what is available and can help themselves. They have access to an extensive selection of age appropriate toys, furniture and equipment which are very safe and well maintained ensuring that the needs of all the children attending are fully met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder gives the utmost priority to the children's safety at all times. All electric sockets are covered, doors are kept secure, a fire blanket is sited in the kitchen and there are smoke alarms at each level of the house. The childminder has had a visit from a fire safety officer who has confirmed that the alarms are in the correct position. The childminder has a written fire evacuation procedure which is displayed in the kitchen. It is practised with the children every month and dates and times are recorded. Children have an excellent understanding of this procedure and explain when the alarm goes they must leave the house straight away and go to the end of the drive. They recall taking part in a fire drill at the local school and lining up in the playground, they comment that they were all safe. The childminder keeps the children very

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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 safe on outings, for example, a first aid kit is taken, appropriate car seats are used and a risk assessment is done on routes, pushchair access and toilet facilities. She has very accurate and up to date contact details for the children close to hand so she can access these in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are protected from persons who have not been vetted as they are closely supervised at all times by the childminder. The childminder's written policies, procedures and documentation are in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She has done training and demonstrates a very sound understanding of child protection procedures in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. All children are making very rapid progress in all areas of their development. This is due to the childminder being highly motivated and totally committed to enhancing all aspects of the children's care and learning. She has attended numerous training courses, for example, 'Birth to three matters', which she uses expertly to plan her ideas for the week and to organise resources that she might need. A young child thoroughly enjoys feeling different textures in the treasure basket and threading different objects. Children are creative from an early age, for example, a very young child makes a colourful collage with different coloured feathers with support from the childminder, and show absolute delight in the end result.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are constantly acquiring new knowledge, interests and skills. For example, blowing, stretching, spinning, recognising words of significant interest, using large and small tools. Older children show a very keen interest in numbers and can count up to 20 clearly and confidently when counting feathers for their collage. They are learning about simple calculations by playing various games that the childminder has obtained from the maths launch at the local library. The childminder gives the children one to one attention, she sits at their level and joins in with their play. Children relate very well to her and they are extremely relaxed in her care. She gives them continual praise and encouragement and shows very keen interest in their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A range of superb activities are provided that are age appropriate, challenging and interesting. These include painting, dough, dancing, singing, reading, dressing up, role play, art and crafts. The children show great pride in what they do. Their language and communication skills are excellent and they are able to clearly explain what they are doing. For example, when playing with dough they explain that they are making a gentleman with eyes, a nose and a moustache. The childminder provides first class opportunities to significantly enhance all children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Partnership with parents is exceptional. The childminder works in close harmony with all parents to meet children’s individual needs, such as dietary requirements, sleep patterns and administration of medication. Detailed information is collected on the children, such as their families, likes, dislikes, religion and health history. This is regularly reviewed and updated with parents. All new parents are given a comprehensive welcome pack which gives them a superb insight into the service provided. The pack includes information about the childminder, her family, her experience, qualifications and her policies and procedures. New parents can also look at a folder which contains a significant collection of thank you cards and references from

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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 other parents. These are full of exceptional praise for the childminder, describing her as wonderful, loving, caring, positive and supportive. They feel she provides a loving family environment and say they are truly privileged to have such an excellent childcare provider.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing an excellent understanding of responsible behaviour. They are encouraged to be polite, to share, be kind to each other and are praised for doing so. They gain an outstanding awareness of their local environment and the diversity of the wider world through an exceptional selection of resources and activities that promote positive images. For example, role play, books, dressing up, jigsaws and dolls. Children show care and concern for others. Children play with two dolls in a wheelchair and explain that they can not walk because they have poorly legs. The children's knowledge of the wider world has been enhanced even further by participating in a multi-cultural day where they sold buns to raise money and did a 'welly waddle'. Children explain that they did this for children who live in countries that do not have water. The children show a poster which explains what they have helped to get for these

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Helping children make a positive contribution

countries. The children are very proud of what they have done to help other children and their families.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder ensures the children have consistent routines and all their individual needs are catered for. This ensures the children settle well, are happy, relaxed and thoroughly enjoy attending. She organises her time, space and resources extremely well to create a nurturing, interesting and very safe environment for the children. The children are closely supervised by the childminder at all times. She is very committed to extending her knowledge by regularly attending training and reading childcare publications to keep up to date with all new legislation and initiatives. For example, the Early Years Foundation Stage. She embraces any changes with commitment and enthusiasm.

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Organisation

All the required documentation is in place and this contributes to the extremely effective management of the childminding service she provides. All information on the children is stored confidentially but easily accessible if needed in an emergency. This is regularly shared with parents and updated. The childminder is aware of all legal requirements, for example, she knows to notify Ofsted of any changes relating to her childminding. 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 a recommendation was made for the childminder to continue to update her childcare knowledge and understanding, to further enhance the very good service already provided. The childminder continues to be extremely committed to updating her knowledge and understanding through training and reading childcare publications which has a significant impact on the care and education of the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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