Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY297683 Inspection date 19 January 2006 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 in a through-terraced house in the Thornbury area of Bradford, West Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, and when working with an assistant nine children may be taken. She is currently minding three children under five-years-old on a part-time basis. The childminder has a cat. She is a qualified childcare practitioner and is member of the NCMA, (National Childminding Association) and the Bradford Childminding Network.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a warm, stimulating and caring environment where effective practices ensure that their physical, nutritional and health needs are met. The childminder provides good guidance for children so that they develop understanding of hygiene routines, such as washing hands at appropriate times. Children are protected from cross-infection through the regular washing of toys, meticulous cleaning routines and using individual hand wipes. The childminder gives high priority to ensuring that children's health needs are met by taking appropriate action when children are sick. Children rest and sleep according to their respective needs, ensuring that they remain healthy. Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their good health. They have daily access to outdoor play either in the backyard or on regular outings including visits to parks and playgrounds. Children rest and sleep according to their individual

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Helping children to be healthy

needs so that they remain healthy. The childminder develops children's understanding of good eating habits; they have regular access to drinks throughout the day. Mainly home-cooked food is given to children, which includes fresh vegetables and fruit thereby providing a nutritious diet to keep them healthy. For example, children eat homemade vegetable soup with enthusiasm and good appetites. They respond well to meal time routines as they sit happily at the table and young children learn how to feed themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move around freely in a secure and safe environment, both indoors and in the garden, where risks are identified and minimised by the childminder. For example, the backyard is fully enclosed and fitted with a secure gate. The childminder uses effective procedures when taking children out in order to keep them safe. For instance, she takes her mobile phone, first aid kit and uses the harnesses on the pram to keep children safe. The childminder is very thorough in conducting risk assessments of potential hazards to children, thereby protecting them from harm. For example, a fire inspection of the home was requested by the childminder in order to seek and follow advice about how to keep children safe, especially with regard to the basement room she is currently preparing for use by children. There is sufficient space available for children and they can freely move between the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

living room and the dining kitchen. Children can access their toys which are mostly stored at child-height, encouraging decision-making and developing self-esteem. There is sufficient developmentally appropriate equipment available, whish is regularly checked by the childminder to ensure that children remain safe. Children learn how to keep themselves and others from harm because the childminder explains why it is not acceptable for them to throw toys.

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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 The childminder has good knowledge of child protection issues and the correct procedures to follow, should the need arise, thereby protecting the welfare needs of children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy, well-settled and receive plenty of reassuring cuddles from the childminder. They benefit from regular routines that are planned around their needs which increases their emotional wellbeing. For example, children's individual rest times and regular mealtimes are adhered to by the childminder. Interaction between the childminder and children is very loving and trusting relationships have been developed, which increases children's sense of wellbeing and confidence. For example, the childminder talks to children as they play giving them encouragement and meaningful praise. Children experience a range of activities, both inside and outside the home, which enable them to make steady progress in their development. For example, children move their bodies in rhythm to the beat of a shaker played by the childminder. Children are beginning to develop pre-literacy skills as they enjoy looking at books

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and because the childminder attaches labels to household fixtures, such as light-switches and windows. The childminder takes children to a weekly childminding group to foster their developing social skills. Children are confident and communicate well because the childminder promotes and 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.

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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 parent's wishes which promotes continuity of care and their wellbeing. There are effective systems in place to ensure that information is shared on a regular basis about the child's progress and daily activities. For example, through daily diaries, a parent's handbook and discussions with parents. The childminder ensures that resources positively represent individuals from the wider community thereby helping children to begin to develop positive attitudes towards others. Appropriate arrangements are made to welcome children from different backgrounds. For example, the childminder learnt some words in another

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Helping children make a positive contribution

language to help towards effective communication.

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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 The childminder has a good awareness of positive behaviour management techniques to enhance children's wellbeing. 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 generally get on well together and enjoy each others company.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from receiving good levels of individual time and attention from the childminder. The childminder effectively organises space, routines and resources to meet the needs of all the children. The childminder keeps satisfactory, accurate, up-to-date and reasonably organised documentation. However, this does not include written parental permission for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice for children. The childminder is committed to ongoing training, she is a qualified practitioner and has attended various courses to enhance her good practise with children. For example, she is trained in child protection and has done Portage training to work with children with special needs. Children's care and welfare needs are fully met as the childminder has almost completed the paediatric first aid course and she and her assistants are suitably vetted. Overall the needs of the children are met.

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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

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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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): • request signed consent from parents to the seeking of emergency medical treatment or advice for children • improve the organisation of children's records.

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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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