Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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319822 Unique Reference Number 06 May 2008 Inspection date Abigail Caroline Cunningham 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 satisfactory. 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 1992. She lives with her husband who is a childminding assistant and one adult child. The childminder also works with another assistant on a part-time basis. The family live in Scholes, a village on the outskirts of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes and consists of a lounge, kitchen, playroom and toilet. The family have five cats and four guinea pigs. When working on her own the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. When working with assistants the childminder may care for a maximum of 12 children at any one time and is currently minding seven children under five years all day, and 10 children over five years before and after school. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children have access to a good selection of outside toys, such as swings, a slide, a climbing frame, small trampoline and wheeled vehicles. As a result, the children enjoy playing outside in the childminder's garden.

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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 The children are beginning to understand the importance of keeping healthy, for example, they know that they need to wear sunhats and sun cream prior to playing outside in warm weather. The children also know to keep hydrated as they regularly and independently access drinks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Snacks and meals are healthy and nutritious, such as tuna and ham sandwiches with cucumber and carrot sticks. The childminder regularly introduces new meals for the children to try and the children also sample foods associated with other countries to increase their knowledge of the wider world, for example, spaghetti bolognaise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a welcoming home. Each child has an individual peg for their coat and a place on the shoe rack for their shoes. Activities are well organised and the available play space is well used, for example, the children enjoyed painting at the kitchen table and playing outside in the garden. The children have independent access to a good range of age appropriate toys, furniture and equipment to effectively meet their needs, for example, art and craft materials, construction toys, jigsaws and dolls.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a home where most risks are identified and minimised, for example, the fire is fitted with a fire guard, plug socket covers and safety gates are also in place. However, the garden has not been made fully secure and stagnant water has gathered in various containers in the garden. The children are supervised at all times, this means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The fire evacuation procedure is displayed and the children are involved in practising regular fire drills, however, these are not recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has access to child protection contact details. She has not attended any child protection training but does know some of the possible signs and symptoms of child abuse. Therefore, there is scope for the childminder to increase her knowledge and understanding of the different types and signs of abuse and child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a well organised setting, where there are consistent daily routines for eating, resting, playing and going out, which helps the children feel secure and enjoy their day. As a result, the children are very happy, settled and independent. They confidently assert their own needs and preferences, for example, they choose when they would like a drink and what activities they like to play with. The children are involved in a good range of interesting and enjoyable activities both inside and outside the home, such as making Easter cards and apple bobbing during Halloween celebrations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder recognises the importance of working in partnership with parents to help identify and meet the children's needs. Feedback from parents is very positive, for example, many parents have written positive comments about the childminder, which can be seen in the childminder's information file. The childminder discusses all aspects of practice with parents during initial meetings and has a well established settling in procedure. The childminder enjoys

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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 communicating with others and as a result, parents are kept fully informed about their child through daily discussions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are well behaved and relate well to each other, for example, they share and play cooperatively. The children are beginning to gain an understanding about their natural environment an local community as they regularly go out for walks, for example, to feed the horses and visit the farm. The children have access to a satisfactory selection of resources, for example, books and play figures, which help children learn about and value each other’s similarities and differences.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. All of the required documentation is in place, which contributes to the efficient and safe management of the childminding service provided, such as the register of attendance, contracts and children's registration details. The childminder and her assistant have created a stimulating, orderly and pleasant environment for the children. The childminder works well with her assistant and confidently takes the lead, for example, she happily delegates tasks. The childminder is aware of what needs to be improved and is committed to developing his practice, for example, she has recently attended a suitable first aid course and Early Year Foundation Stage training. 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

Since the last inspection, the childminder has improved qualification requirements as she has completed a suitable first aid course.

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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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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 satisfactory. 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): • increase knowledge and understanding of the different types and signs of abuse and child protection procedures • ensure that the garden is made secure

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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 • ensure water is emptied promptly from objects within the garden • provide evidence that fire drills have taken place.

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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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