Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY311028 Inspection date 20 January 2006 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 3 and 7 years. The family home is situated on the outskirts of Leeds and is close to local playgroups, schools and a library. She is registered to care for four children and currently has three children on roll aged 7 months to 7 years of age. Children have access to the lounge, dining/kitchen and first floor bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden at the rear of the house available for outside play. The childminder regularly attends the local childminding group and is the training coordinator for this. She regularly walks to schools to drop off and collect 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 and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children learn good routines of personal hygiene and the importance of healthy practices through discussions with the childminder and through practicing effective daily routines, such as hand washing before meals and after toileting. They are well protected from the spread of infection. The childminder fully implements an effective policy when children are ill and she follows detailed hygiene procedures, for example when nappy changing. Effective arrangements are in place to care for children in the event of an accident. The childminder has attended first aid training and has good procedures in place to ensure children are well looked after in case of an emergency. The children's individual needs are well met with regards to sleep and they have many opportunities to develop their physical control. They enjoy regular walks, outings and access to outside play in the childminder's garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are well nourished. All food is freshly prepared and they are offered a balanced and healthy diet including pasta, fruit, meat and vegetables. 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. The 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. The children can independently access a good range of well maintained toys and equipment, 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. The children are cared for in a very safe environment which has good measures in place to protect them. For example, socket covers, smoke detectors, safety gates and a fully secure outdoor play area. They have suitable opportunities to develop their understanding of keeping themselves safe through talking about safety on walks and in role play activities. They begin to understand the reasons behind safe

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

practices, through good explanations from the childminder, however, they are not involved in practicing the emergency evacuation procedure. 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

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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 children in her care and has a secure understanding of the procedure to follow with any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are given good opportunities to be independent and their opinion is highly valued. They move around freely accessing equipment, choosing activities which interest them and older children are fully involved in rule making decisions. The 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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

recognises the signs of tiredness and hunger in young children and effectively plans her day around young children's individual routines.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The 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, a monthly international day, trying foods from around the world, arts, crafts and access to an appropriate 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. The children develop a good understanding of the consequences of their actions from clear and consistent boundaries set by the childminder, explanations of the reasons behind behaviour boundaries and older children are fully involved in rule making decisions. They benefit from developmentally appropriate methods used to manage inappropriate behaviour, including explanation and distraction. Good

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Helping children make a positive contribution

behaviour is valued and they are given lots of praise and encouragement to promote this. The 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 and daily books for young children with information on food, sleep, nappies and activities. They are given detailed information about the setting and are shown written information including policies, menus and regarding the organisation of the provision.

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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 good. The children benefit from well organised rooms and resources which give them good opportunities for free choice and to develop their independence. They move around freely accessing resources and activities and 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 of the children by regularly attending training, such as first aid, food hygiene and child protection to help keep children safe and healthy. The childminder fully implements effective policies and procedures that are individual to that setting and have a positive impact on the children, for example behaviour, child protection and illness. All the required documentation is in place, which contributes to the efficient and safe management of the childminding service

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Organisation

provided. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 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.

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • practice the emergency escape plan.

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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 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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