Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 501831 Inspection date 27 September 2005 Inspector Helene Anne Terry

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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 2000. She lives with her partner and two children aged five and eight years in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The whole of the downstairs and small bedroom and bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden that is used for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She currently has five children on roll between the ages of five months and nine years, who attend at various times throughout the week. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children. She also attends the local playgroups.

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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. Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained environment where effective procedures and practices ensure that children's physical, nutritional and health needs are fully addressed. The childminder provides very good support and guidance to ensure that children develop a good understanding of hygiene, such as encouraging them to wash their hands after toileting and before eating. Children are protected from cross infection through the use of good procedures and practices, such as the use of hygienic nappy changing procedures, the regular washing of baby toys and the use of a sickness policy with parents. Parents are always contacted if their child becomes unwell and children are cared for effectively until parents arrive. Children are developing good eating habits; they have free access to drinks throughout the day, and benefit from well balanced nutritious snacks and meals,

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Helping children to be healthy

including lots of fruit. Children are also beginning to learn about food that is good for them and individual dietary needs are fully considered to promote their well being. Children enjoy a wide range of good physical activity, which contributes to their good health. Young children are learning to develop control of their bodies as they move around the home. Older children enjoy going for walks and take part in physical activities in the garden, playgroup and at play gyms.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move around safely and freely in a secure environment both indoors and outdoors, where risks are minimised because the childminder takes the necessary precautions to keep children safe and secure on and off the premises. They have access to the necessary facilities to promote their development and furniture and equipment are very well maintained. Children use a very good range of developmentally appropriate resources, some of which are easily accessible, enabling choice and promoting independence. Resources provided are effectively organised, rotated and updated as required. For example, children enjoy helping themselves to items from the boxes and choosing their favourite matching games. The children's welfare is fully addressed. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection issues and she holds a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the child friendly environment where they have

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 good access to a wide range of activities, which enhances their development in all areas. Planning for activities to formalise learning is not done, however, activities and resources provided are specific to the stages of development for the children attending. For example, while older children do glass painting, younger ones enjoy doing collage pictures. Children enjoy the activities they are engaged in, demonstrated by a child who displayed very good concentration skills as she spent a good deal of time completing a matching game, then requested further help from the childminder to complete another game. Interaction between the childminder and the children is very warm and trusting relationships have been developed, which increases children's sense of well being and confidence. Children receive lots of cuddles and playful interactions were

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

observed as childminder and children played together. Children make themselves understood as they express their feelings when hungry, tired and happy owing the childminder's good understanding of their individual needs. She listens to the children and reacts positively to babies verbal sounds. Children are beginning to develop good social skills because the childminder takes them to toddler groups regularly, where they learn to share and take turns with others of a similar age. They also are learning to become independent, when they take care of their own personal hygiene, with varying degrees of support from the childminder. This promotes confidence and self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual care needs are very effectively met and their welfare is promoted through a variety of means including information received from parents at the gradual induction of the child. The childminder has a good understanding of children's individuality and responds well to their needs in respect of hunger, tiredness, likes and dislikes. She ensures that children develop a good understanding about the world around them and about people's differences and similarities, through the activities and resources she provides. For example, the children enjoy doing activities around the festivals of different cultures, such as Diwali and the Chinese New Year. The childminder has a good awareness of positive behaviour management techniques to enhance children's well being and their social development. She speaks to them calmly giving explanations and uses lots of appropriate praise and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

encouragement, thereby boosting self esteem and confidence. Children are very well behaved owing the childminder's involvement in their play and her positive interaction with them. Children benefit from the good partnership developed between childminder and parents. They are cared for according to their parent's wishes, which promotes continuity of care and their well being. There are effective systems in place to ensure information is shared on a regular basis about the child's progress and daily activities; for example, through daily chats. This promotes continuity of care. However, there is limited information given to parents about procedures to follow

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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 should they have a complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises space and resources to meet the needs of the children well; as a result children feel at home and at ease. Children are kept safe due to the childminder's good awareness of vetting procedures for adults having supervised or unsupervised access to the children. The numbers of children cared for and the hours they attend ensures that they receive good individual attention. The childminder shows a good commitment to broadening her knowledge and skills in childcare by seeking and attending training, which improves the quality of care she provides. All required documentation is maintained effectively to meet the needs of the children. It is filed appropriately, ensuring confidentiality and is shared with parents to promote the well being of children. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder have regard to increasing the availability of her resources, including items reflecting diversity in society, and that she reconsiders her procedures for the safe collection of children and the availability of snacks during the day. Good improvements have been made. Resources are easily accessible for children in the lounge and these are changed around frequently to enable choice. Resources reflecting diversity in society have also been obtained. This enables children to understand people's differences and similarities. Procedures for the safe collection of children have been revised; parents are contacted if someone unknown to the childminder arrives to collect children and snacks are provided for children depending on individual circumstances and needs. This ensures the safety and welfare of all children.

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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 MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop a system for ensuring that parents are fully aware of the procedures to follow should they have a complaint.

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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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