Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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320533 Unique Reference Number 07 March 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 three children aged six, eight and nine in Alwoodley, which is a residential suburb of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor is 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding eight children aged between two and nine years on both a part time and full time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from a local school and nursery. She attends local toddler and childminding groups on a regular basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family have three guinea pigs and two cats.

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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, before eating, stroking family pets and do this independently and enthusiastically. The childminder

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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 promotes excellent hygiene routines with all the children throughout the day, giving constant reminders. Clean towels and soap are provided in the downstairs toilet and there is a colourful poster on the door reminding children to wash their hands. The childminder washes her hands thoroughly before food preparation and before and after nappy changing. Effective arrangements are in place for first aid and administering medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a valid first aid certificate which she always keeps up to date. There is a fully stocked first aid kit available in the kitchen and also one for outings. A concise written sickness policy is in place and this is clearly explained to the parents at the time of placement. The childminder has a thick policy file entitled 'helping children to be healthy'. This includes: information on exclusion periods for infectious diseases; guidance on the contents of a first aid box; pet hygiene and a food and drinks policy. This shows the childminder's commitment to promoting health and hygiene in all areas with the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are able to freely access drinks at all times which consist of water, milk, milk shakes and juice. Older children get water from the water dispenser in the fridge. All children have their own cups They receive a very nutritious range of snacks and meals which the childminder plans creatively to encourage them to enjoy healthy meals. For example, the children have very healthy appetites and thoroughly enjoy their food. All meals are home made with plenty of fresh produce. Children can access fruit from a well stocked fruit bowl. The childminder has a 'five a day' chart which the children enjoy completing to show how many pieces of fruit and vegetables they have had through the day. The childminder caters for any specific dietary needs and she has guidelines on dietary customs to help her with this. All food and drink provided is in full agreement with the parents. All information on each child's individual dietary needs,

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Helping children to be healthy

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 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, enjoy walks to local places of interest and visit the local parks, toddler groups and soft play centres on a regular basis. Children are able to sleep according to their needs and parents' wishes. Some sleep in travel cots in the lounge, others may sleep in the playroom in their pushchair and others may rest on the settee. All children are closely supervised by the childminder.

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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 welcoming, 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 constructively and activities are 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 takes very thorough steps to ensure the children's safety inside her home and outside her home. All electric sockets are covered, door jams are fitted to prevent children trapping their fingers and a fire blanket is sited in the kitchen. The childminder has a written fire evacuation procedure and it is practised with the children on a monthly basis. She has up

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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 to date contact details for the children close to hand so she can access these in the event of an emergency. The childminder keeps the children very safe on outings, for example, a first aid kit is taken and children wear fluorescent wrist bands with the childminder's mobile phone number on. The childminder has a seven-seater vehicle which she uses to transport minded children. She has car seats and boosters for children from birth to 11 years. She also checks the children's height to ensure they are using the correct seat for their size.

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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 completed 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. Children are developing their confidence and self-esteem exceptionally well. They are able to freely select from an extensive range of quality resources. Children select jigsaws with confidence and show preference for certain ones from an early age. A young child competently completes a cat jigsaw and the childminder extends their learning by pointing to different parts of the cat and the child identifies eyes and tail. The childminder explains that the cat's tail is long and the child repeats this. The children have a keen interest in books, handle them appropriately and sit with the childminder listening intently to the story. Children enjoy singing very much and have built up a repertoire of songs which they recite with confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are very competently acquiring new knowledge and skills on a daily basis. For example, they are learning about recycling by reusing materials for their art and craft work. They are beginning to understand how this can help protect the environment. They show a keen interest in numbers, for example, a young child counts the poppers as they fasten a doll's clothes. They enjoy counting rhymes and calculating using an abacus. From an early age children are able to identify simple shapes and primary colours when playing a sorting game. They are learning about the days of the week, the seasons and the weather by a daily activity where they look out of the window to see what the weather is like and recording their responses on a chart.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are very sociable and have regular opportunities to mix with other children. Children relate extremely well to the childminder and are very relaxed in her care. The childminder is constantly talking to the children, significantly enhancing their communication and language skills. The childminder is highly skilled, motivated and is dedicated to promoting the highest quality of care and education to all children. She uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework to help plan activities for younger children but is always flexible allowing for spontaneous and child led activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Partnership with parents is excellent. The childminder offers a very flexible service to fit in with parents work patterns. She works very closely 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 updated with parents. Comprehensive information is given to prospective

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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 parents, for example, the registration certificate, samples of the children's activities and thank you letters from parents praising the care offered by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing a very good 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 a very well-balanced awareness of their local environment and the diversity of the wider world through an outstanding selection of resources and activities that promote positive images. For example, role play, dressing up, books about different cultures, small world figures depicting disability and dolls with different facial expressions and different skin tones. The childminder has a large world map which the children enjoy looking at and seeing where they are going on holiday. Children are fully included in all activities and receive ongoing support and encouragement from the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The children are extremely happy, comfortable and settled. This is because the childminder ensures the children have consistent routines which meet their individual needs. She uses her time, space and resources appropriately to create a thoroughly stimulating, interesting and very safe environment for the children. The children are closely supervised by the childminder at all times. The childminder is aware of all legal requirements, for example, she knows to notify Ofsted of any changes relating to her childminding and she displays her registration certificate. 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 enthusiasm and commitment.

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Organisation

All the required documentation is in place and is stored in a very organised manner to make it easily accessible but still maintaining confidentiality. The excellent organisation contributes to the very effective management of the childminding service she provides. 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 actions were raised relating to the administration of medication and resources to reflect positive images of culture and disability. The childminder now obtains prior written consent from parents to administer medication which has a positive impact on the children's health and well-being. The childminder now has a wide selection of dolls, books, jigsaws, small world figures, maps and posters that reflect very positive images of culture and disability. These help children learn about diversity in the world they live.

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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. 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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