Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY304293 Inspection date 17 October 2005 Inspector Helene Anne Terry

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and five years in a terraced property in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor of the home and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear of the property that is used for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and currently has four children on roll between the ages of six months and ten years. The children attend for a variety of sessions throughout the week and school

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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 holidays. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and attends a local childminding group. The childminder is a member to the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very clean and well maintained environment where effective procedures and practices ensure that children's physical, nutritional and health needs are fully addressed. The childminder provides very good support and guidance to ensure that children develop a good understanding of hygiene, such as encouraging them to wash their hands after toileting and before eating. Children are protected from cross infection through the use of good procedures and practices, such as a comprehensive sickness policy, the use of individual wipes, hygienic nappy changing procedures, and the regular washing of baby toys. Children are developing very good eating habits. They have free, easy access to drinks throughout the day, and benefit from well balanced nutritious snacks and meals, including lots of fruit and vegetables. Convenience foods and sweets are kept to a minimum. Children are also beginning to understand about food that is good for

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Helping children to be healthy

them and individual dietary needs are fully considered to promote their well being. Children enjoy a wide range of good physical activity, which contributes to their good health. They enjoy playing in the park and taking part in races, such as sack and egg and spoon races. Babies are given the space and opportunities to try out new skills, for example, learning to sit and experiment with crawling movements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move around safely and freely in a secure environment both indoors and outdoors, where risks are minimised because the childminder takes the necessary precautions to keep children safe and secure on and off the premises. They have access to the necessary facilities to promote their development and furniture and equipment are very well maintained. Children are also beginning to learn about their own personal safety, because the childminder does activities with them about road safety and being safe in the sun. Children use a very good range of developmentally appropriate resources that address all areas of their development. Most resources are easily accessible enabling choice and promoting independence. Resources provided are effectively organised in containers, drawers and on shelves. They are rotated and updated as required. The children's welfare is fully addressed. The childminder has a satisfactory

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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 understanding of child protection issues, and she holds a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled in the child friendly environment where they have good access to a wide range of activities, which enhances their development in all areas. Generally, planning for activities to formalise learning is not done, however, activities and resources provided are specific to the stages of development for the children attending. During the school holidays children are involved in some planning, taking into consideration what they like to do. This ensures that children have some involvement in their own learning and enjoyment. They take part in many interesting activities, such as visiting a farm to see how ice cream is made and making their own books. Interaction between the childminder and the children is very warm and trusting relationships have been developed, which increases children's sense of well being and confidence. Children receive lots of cuddles and playful interactions were

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

observed as the childminder and baby played together. The childminder talks to babies about what she is doing, enabling babies to link words to actions. She acknowledges the vocal sounds babies make, which helps them develop early language skills. A good, varied routine is followed throughout the week to enrich children's well being. They have time for rests, snacks, meals and activities inside and outside the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are very effectively met and welfare is promoted through a variety of means, including information received from parents at the gradual induction of the child. The childminder has a good understanding of children's individuality and responds well to their needs in respect of hunger, tiredness, likes and dislikes. Children are beginning to learn about the wider world and people's differences and similarities through an excellent range of resources and activities representing diversity in society. For example, there are dolls of different gender, ethnic origins and some wearing glasses. There is also an excellent range of books with stories covering different aspects of peoples lives, such as single parent families and children with disabilities. The childminder has an excellent awareness of positive behaviour management techniques to enhance children's well being and their social development. She

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Helping children make a positive contribution

speaks to them calmly giving explanations and uses lots of appropriate praise and encouragement, thereby boosting self esteem and confidence. Children have helped create a list of house rules, which they all own and abide by. They also receive stickers and certificates for good behaviour. Children benefit from the very good partnership developed between childminder and

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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. Children are cared for according to parents' wishes which promotes continuity of care and their well being. There are outstanding systems in place to ensure information is shared on a regular basis about the child's progress and daily activities, for example, through daily chats, food diaries and children's achievement and progress files. Parents receive very good information about the setting, including access to the notice board and written policies and procedures. All of which enhances the care provided for their children. However, the certificate of registration is not displayed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises space and resources to meet the needs of the children very well, as a result children feel at home and at ease. Children are kept safe due to the childminder's good awareness of vetting procedures for adults having supervised or unsupervised access to the children. The numbers of children cared for ensures that each child is given high quality individual attention. There is a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place. These underpin the setting very effectively and ensure children's well being and safety. They are filed appropriately ensuring confidentiality and are shared with parents to promote continuity of care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend very well.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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

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 improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that the certificate of registration is displayed when actively childminding.

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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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