Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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501893 Unique Reference Number 13 August 2008 Inspection date Thecla Grant 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 2001. She lives with her partner and their four children aged four, seven, nine and 12 years in the Rodley area of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding 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 three children at any one time and is currently minding one child aged four years full time. The childminder walks to the local school and nursery to take and collect children. She attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis. The family have a dog and a cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has completed her first aid course. This includes training in first aid for infants and young children. The childminder has recorded accidents occurring on the premises and has appropriate permissions and records in place regarding the administration of medication. The

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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 childminder has a policy in place about children who are sick and makes sure permission is sought from parents to allow their child to have emergency treatment. As a result, children are suitably taken care if they have an accident or if they become ill whilst in the care of the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has appropriate systems in place to promote hygiene. However, children did not wash their hands before eating their morning snack. The childminder prepares sports bottles filled with water; these are left in easy access for the children. Children are consulted as to what they want to eat for their lunch and requested ham and cheese sandwiches. However, food provided during snack times are not always nutritious.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities to develop their large motor skills by accessing the garden at the back of the childminder's home. This has a limited range of outdoor toys and equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder warmly welcomes children into her home, the play room is filled with natural light and the childminder sets out activities for the children during the morning. Children happily explore their environment, choosing what they want from the toys and equipment available in the hallway. Resources are age appropriate, stimulating and provide appropriate challenge for the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has suitable systems in place to keep children safe whilst they are in her home. For example, dangerous toxic substances are inaccessible to the children and low electrical sockets are covered. However, the stair gate to prevent children accessing the first floor has been removed. Children have access to a secure garden, however, the childminder does not conduct a risk assessment before leaving children alone in the garden with her older children and their pet dog.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are taught to keep themselves safe by tidying away their toys after playing and practising the emergency procedures. These are recorded and kept electronically. However, children do not remember the emergency procedures and the record of practise is not readily available. As a result, children do not effectively know what to do in case of emergencies. The childminder has fire equipment, such as smoke alarms and a fire blanket.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a child protection policy in place and is waiting to attend the new safeguarding children's training course. She also has a suitable understanding of what to do if she is concerned a child is at risk and what to do if an allegation is made against a member of her family. As a result, children are suitably safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have appropriate opportunities to learn. They are involved in a suitable range of planned activities and spontaneous events, which supports their development and learning. Children are supported by the childminder and encouraged to mould a shape for a face and stick plastic facial features on it. For example, eyes, nose ears. The children are asked what each item is as they stick it onto the play dough face.

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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 Children happily explore their environment, choosing small world imaginative resources. Children discuss their favourite activity at the childminder's is playing with construction toys. Children enjoy playing with the play dough and make different shapes with the tools provided. They talk about what they are doing. For example, they discuss making big fat chips with the 'soft thing'. However, opportunities are missed to build children's language by explaining that the 'soft thing' is called 'play dough'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from activities outside the childminder's home. For example, they look forward to going to the local park after lunch.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder satisfactorily works in partnership with parents to provide appropriate care for their children. She has devised policies and procedures individual to her setting, which she shares with the parents. The childminder makes sure that the children's personal details are recorded to enable her to offer appropriate care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Suitable systems are in place to care for children with learning difficulties. However, opportunities for children to become aware of diversity are poor because resources which positively promote race, disability and culture are limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has attended behaviour management training and generally manages children's behaviour in a way that is appropriate to their age and stage of development. As a result, children learn the boundaries and expectations within the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a sense of purpose and direction. She makes sure policies and procedures are accessible and shared with the parents. Documentation in place generally works in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment and ability to make a positive contribution.

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Organisation

The childminder has attended several courses relating to developing her understanding of child development. She provides enough space for the children to play and keeps within the constraints of her registered numbers. All adults in the home are vetted and children are adequately supervised during childminding hours.

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Organisation

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 number of actions were raised for the childminder to complete. These have been addressed. The childminder keeps a record of complaints and the registration certificate is displayed. The promotion of hygiene is progressing and consent has been sought for emergency medical advice and treatment. The childminder has attended a 'Birth to three matters' course and children are more included into her setting. As a result, steps taken have improved outcomes for children and the organisation of the provision.

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Improvements 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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted received concerns in relation to National Standard 1: Suitable person and National Standard 11: Behaviour. An Ofsted inspector visited the provider on 14 July 2008. The concerns were fully investigated and from the information available to Ofsted at the time of the visit, a judgement was reached that there was no evidence of non-compliance with the National Standards. Ofsted is satisfied that the provider remains qualified for registration.

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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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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): • make sure snacks given to children during the day are nutritious and consistently promote children's knowledge of good hygiene practices through hand washing • continue to build resources that positively reflect divercity • improve fire procedures by conducting regular fire drills with the children and consistently maintain records of the practice. Make sure children are not able to access the first floor • make sure children do not have unsupervised access to the dog.

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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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