Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 501893 Inspection date 23 January 2006 Inspector Angela Margaret Ellis

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives in a three-bedroomed house in Rodley, a suburb of Leeds. She lives with her partner and their four children aged 10, 7, 4 and 2 years. The areas of the home used for childminding are the lounge, dining kitchen and ground floor toilet. There is an enclosed garden at the rear of the house. There is currently one child on roll and cared for out of school hours. The family have two pet cats.

p.2

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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is adequately promoted as the childminder generally applies appropriate standards of hygiene to prevent the spread of infection. However, the hand washing sink on ground floor was insufficiently clean. Children learn aspects of cleanliness through simple daily hygiene routines. The childminder implements sound procedures and acts in children’s best interest if they are ill and most written aspects of the medical consents from parents are in place. Children engage in appropriate physical activities that contribute to their health and emotional well-being. They engage in physical activities indoors and outdoors to help them develop skills and confidence and regularly access fresh air on their daily walk to school and back. Children begin to understand the benefits of eating for their healthy growth and development. A meal is prepared after school; for example, steak burgers, frozen

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

vegetables and potato wedges. They are offered a drink with their meal. Children are encouraged to eat at their own pace and enjoy their food. This makes eating times a relaxed, social occasion where children also learn about good table manners.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a sound, safe and secure environment both indoors and out. A brief daily safety check is carried out before children arrive and where risks are identified these are minimised. Children learn to understand how and why to keep themselves safe. For example, children know why they must stop, look and listen before crossing the road. The childminder has a sound understanding that children need a balance between freedom and safe limits and they independently access activities indoors under supervision. Children safely and independently select activities from a range of safe, age appropriate quality toys and activities. The childminder has most of the required documents to ensure that she acts in the best interests of the children. She has a suitable understanding of her responsibilities with regard to child protection and first aid procedures.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and are motivated and interested in the range of developmentally

p.3

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 appropriate activities. Children show pleasure and confidence in making choices about their activities and spend their time purposefully. For example, a young boy plays imaginatively with the farm animals. The childminder uses spontaneous events to help extend children's learning; for example, she explains why we stand and wait at the pelican crossing for the "green man". The childminder has received the Birth to three matters pack. However, she is insufficiently using it to effectively influence the outcomes for children's learning for those up to three years of age.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children benefit from routines that are consistent with home, resulting in them being secure in their surroundings. Children make sound relationships because the childminder and children relate suitably to each other. The childminder follows children's needs appropriately with regard to activities and meals, which helps to increase the children's sense of well-being. The arrangement for sharing activities with carers is appropriate and includes verbal discussion. This helps to inform carers of the activities their children take part in, which has a positive outcome on their self-esteem.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a sound understanding of meeting children's individual needs and appropriately follows their daily routines, which fit in with daily walks to and from wrap-around care. This helps the children learn about their local community. She respects individuality and principally promotes an inclusive provision for all and gives an adequate amount of care and attention. Children learn to develop positive attitudes towards others who are different from themselves. They have access to a basic range of resources that reflect positive images and this helps to increase their awareness of diversity. The childminder has a positive approach to managing behaviour. Reasonable expectations encourage children to discover boundary limits and learn about rules. They show care for each other and have good manners. Children clearly benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has with the

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

carer. Children settle well in response. This stable partnership promotes children’s well-being and development and benefits their experience. A basic range of information is available to parents about the service and many of the required systems are in place. However, systems for recording complaints are insufficient.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of child development and regard for the well-being of children. Space and resources are creatively organised to enable children to participate in

p.4

Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 activities and follow their individual routines to promote their welfare, care and development. Required adult-child ratios are met on the day of the inspection and provide satisfactory levels of care and supervision to ensure that children are sufficiently supported. In response, children are settled in their surroundings. The childminder has a suitable knowledge and understanding of the National Standards and elements of the required documentation are in place to promote the care and welfare of children. However, it has been identified that there are aspects insufficiently implemented. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Satisfactory progress has been made since the last inspection. The childminder has sought to develop her knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues by contacting the local Early Years co-ordinator for information, to keep up-to-date with current practice. The childminder has not had any children on roll for about a year and so has had limited opportunity to put what she has learnt into practice. There are books that provide children with an awareness of the wider society and this is supported through some toys and activities that provide positive images of others.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 Ofsted has received one complaint in relation to Standard 2 Organisation, regarding ratios being exceeded, resulting in the childminder's conditions of registration being breached. Ofsted investigated this and carried out a visit. One action was raised under Standard 2. A further visit was carried out by a childcare inspector to ensure compliance with the standard in August 2005. Ofsted is satisfied that the childminder has implemented the action and taken steps to address the issue. The childminder no longer exceeds the number of children she is registered to care for. The provider remains qualified for registration. 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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

p.5

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): • ensure that the registration certificate is displayed • ensure written consent is sought from the main carer for the childminder to seek emergency medical advice and treatment • ensure that the Birth to three matters framework is used to effectively influence the outcomes for children's learning • ensure the bathroom surfaces are clean before children arrive • ensure that new regulations are acquired and that a system for recording complaints is implemented.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6