Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY305093 Inspection date 20 December 2005 Inspector Ingrid Szczerban

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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 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 2005. She lives with husband and two children aged 7 and 13 years. They have a semi detached house, in Yeadon, West Yorkshire. Children use the ground floor spare bedroom and toilet and the through lounge/dining room on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for three children on a part-time basis. She takes and collects children from school and visits groups with younger children.

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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 about simple personal hygiene and personal care as part of the day's routines, for example they are reminded to wash hands before eating and after using the toilet. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows food health and hygiene guidelines. The home is very clean and tidy as the childminder follows a regular cleaning routine, which prevents the spread of infection to children. The childminder implements an effective sickness policy in order to protect children when they are ill, however she does not have a current first aid certificate. Children are provided with regular drinks and food in good supply in order to meet their needs. These include healthy and nutritious foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder takes account of children's individual likes and dislikes but encourages them to try new foods, and she avoids giving too many foods high in

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Helping children to be healthy

sugar content such as biscuits. Children engage in robust physical activity. For example, they walk to school daily and outings to local attractions and a local childminding group, are undertaken on a regular basis. The childminder provides opportunities for vigorous exercise through dance which the children love, hence they are developing a sense of control and co-ordination over their bodies. Children rest and sleep according to their respective needs to keep them healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept safe because the childminder has considered and minimised potential hazards on the premises. For example, a fireguard is fitted and safety gates are used appropriately. As well as everyday hazards, the childminder has thoroughly risk-assessed arrangements for putting up the Christmas tree, using only non-breakable decorations and securing wires, to keep children safe. Children are learning how to keep themselves from harm because the childminder teaches them about road safety and implements effective procedures on outings. The children have ample space to move around and can immediately access outdoor play from the dining area. They also use the ground floor spare bedroom which has toys stored at child height to promote independence. Children use sufficient and suitable toys and equipment which are developmentally appropriate and checked regularly by the childminder to ensure they remain safe for the children's use. For

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

instance, the childminder uses the straps to secure young children into the buggy and on the high chair at mealtimes, so that they are safe. The childminder has sufficient awareness of child protection issues to protect the welfare needs of children, should the need arise.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have warm trusting relationships with their childminder, they are happy, well-settled and receive plenty of reassuring cuddles. Children benefit from regular routines planned around their needs, which contributes to their emotional well-being. Children experience a range of activities both inside and outside the home which enables them to make steady progress in their development. For example, regular visits to groups promote large physical skills and extend children's social skills. Children enjoy books and are beginning to develop pre-literacy skills. For example, young children know how to correctly turn the pages and treat books with care. The childminder reinforces children's sense of belonging and self-esteem as she supports them by attending their school plays together with relatives. Children are confident and communicate well because the childminder promotes and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

extends conversations to help them develop this skill. Young children can communicate effectively with simple sounds and gestures because the childminder is attuned to their individual speech patterns and she has asked parents for lists of relatives' names so that she can initiate relevant conversation for them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are effectively met through a variety of means, including information received from parents at the gradual induction of the child. Children settle well and benefit from the good partnership developed between childminder and parents. Children are cared for according to parents' wishes which promotes continuity of care and their well being. There are effective systems in place to ensure information is shared on a regular basis about the child's progress and daily activities. For example, through daily notes and chats with parents. However, the childminder does not have signed parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment for children. The childminder ensures that resources positively represent some individuals from the wider community thereby helping children to begin to develop positive attitudes towards others. However, children do not learn about diversity through planned

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Helping children make a positive contribution

experiences or activities. The childminder has a very good awareness of positive behaviour management techniques to enhance children's well being. Children learn to respect, share, take turns and learn about the consequences of their behaviour. Lots of praise and encouragement was observed to be offered to children, boosting confidence and self esteem. The children get on very well together and older ones help and show consideration to younger ones. For example, by taking it in turns to use the chalk board.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Space is effectively organised to meet the needs of the children so that they are able to initiate their own play and learning. For example, the storage of toys promotes effective decision making and does not detract from free space available for children to move around, and the garden is accessible immediately from the dining room. Toys are stored in good order, those suitable for younger children at lower levels and higher up for the older ones. Children receive good levels of individual time and attention from the childminder. The childminder organises her documentation well, for example, keeping separate files for each child to maintain confidentiality. She has most required records to meet the requirements of the National Standards and all adults in the home are suitably vetted. She keeps an accurate, up to date attendance register and the registration certificate is displayed.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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 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):

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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 • complete an appropriate first aid course • request parental permission for the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment for children.

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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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