Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY253655 Inspection date 25 November 2005 Inspector Duncan Gill

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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 lives with her husband and three children aged 8, 13 and 15 years. The family home is situated on the outskirts of Leeds and is close to local play-groups, schools and a library. She is registered to care for five children and currently has seven children on roll aged 5 months to 11 years of age. Children have access to the lounge, dining kitchen and first floor bathroom and bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden at the rear of the house available for outside play. The childminder regularly attends local play groups.

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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 satisfactory. Children learn good routines of personal hygiene through practicing effective daily routines, such as hand washing before meals and after toileting. They have suitable opportunities to learn about the importance of healthy practices through discussions with the childminder. Children are well protected from the spread of infection as the childminder fully implements detailed hygiene procedures, for example, when nappy changing. Suitable arrangements are in place to care for children in the event of an accident. The childminder has attended first aid training and has a fully stocked first aid box, although she does not always ask parents for written consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Children's individual needs are well met with regards to sleeping and this is done to fit in with their individual routines. Children have many opportunities to develop their physical control. They enjoy regular walks,

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Helping children to be healthy

visits to the local park and have regular access to outside play in the childminder's garden. Children are well nourished and they are offered a balanced and healthy diet. Babies are fed in line with their individual routines and all children's individual dietary needs are well met through effective partnership with parents to discuss any allergies or special dietary requirements. Children are offered healthy snacks each day and are regularly encouraged to have drinks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a warm, welcoming environment, which is child orientated and has some evidence of their play and activity. Toys and activities are attractively set out for children and the rooms are well organised so they can move freely and with confidence. Children can independently access a good range of well maintained toys and equipment, which are stored at their height. For example, role play, imaginative play, books, arts and crafts. They are very interested in the toys available and these provide good challenge for them. Children are cared for in a very safe environment which has good measures in place to protect them. For example socket covers, smoke detectors and a fully secure outdoor play area. They develop a good understanding of keeping themselves safe, regularly practicing evacuation procedures, talking about road safety on walks and they begin to understand the reasons behind safe practices, through good

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

explanations from the childminder. There are effective procedures in place to ensure children are safe on collection and the childminder follows effective routines to keep children free from harm on outings. Children are well protected from abuse as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection. She has attended training, is aware of her responsibilities towards the children in her care and has a secure understanding of the procedure to follow

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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 with any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are given good opportunities to be independent and their opinion is highly valued. They move around freely accessing equipment and choosing activities which interest them. Children are fully involved in a wide range of activities, which develops their imagination, language, creativity and physical development. They enjoy role play, construction, stories, outings, singing and arts and crafts. Children are very secure and confident in the childminder's home and receive lots of praise to help them develop their self-esteem. Babies build secure relationships with the childminder, who actively listens and gives them her full attention when they try to communicate. They receive lots of attention and find comfort from snuggling into the childminder when they are upset. Children's individual needs are fully met as the childminder recognises the signs of tiredness and hunger in young children, and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

effectively plans her day around young children's individual routines.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued as individuals and are treated fairly and equally, regardless of gender, culture or ability. They have good opportunities to learn about the wider world, through talks with the childminder, trips to local places of interest, trying foods from around the world and access to a satisfactory range of resources to promote equality of opportunity. Children with special needs are welcome at the setting and the childminder has appropriate arrangements in place to ensure all children are included, regardless of ability. Children develop a sound understanding of the consequences of their actions from clear and consistent boundaries set by the childminder and explanations of the reasons behind behaviour boundaries. They benefit from developmentally appropriate methods used to manage inappropriate behaviour, including explanation and distraction. Good behaviour is valued and they are given lots of praise and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

encouragement to promote this. Children benefit from strong and trusting relationships between parents and the childminder. Close partnership with parents ensures all children's individual needs are effectively met. Detailed registration forms and talks ensure the childminder has all the information necessary to care effectively for the children. Parents are kept well informed of their child's development and activity through daily chats. They are given detailed information about the setting and are shown written information including policies, menus and photos of activities.

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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 Children benefit from well organised rooms and resources which give them good opportunities to move around freely accessing resources and activities. The childminder organises her time well to give children effective support and encouragement to help them feel secure and confident. Daily routines are effectively organised to meet children's individual needs with regards to sleeping and eating. The childminder enhances the care provided for children by attending training, such as first aid, behaviour and child protection. This has a positive impact on the children and contributes to keeping them safe and healthy. Documentation is appropriately organised to ensure confidentiality is maintained and the childminder implements a range of suitable policies which have a positive impact on the children. Most of the

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Organisation

required documentation is in place, although there is no policy about the exclusion of ill or infectious children. The needs of all children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that children have an appropriate range of resources to promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. She was also asked to implement the fire evacuation procedure. Children have access to a suitable range of resources to promote positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. These include, books, dolls and play people, which help children to develop their knowledge of the wider world. The fire evacuation procedure is now regularly practiced with children, helping them to develop their knowledge of staying safe.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 good. 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

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • request written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • devise and implement a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious.

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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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