Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY216958 Inspection date 09 February 2006 Inspector Katy Elizabeth Wynn

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her son aged 11 years in the market town of Wetherby which is situated close to local amenities such as shops, schools, park and a library. The children have access to all of the ground floor, this consists of a playroom, sitting room, kitchen and toilet; the children also have access to an enclosed garden. The childminder has two cats. No one in the household smokes.

p.2

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 The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the library in Wetherby. She has 12 children on the roll and none of the children she looks after have special needs. The registration does not include overnight care.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows some current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. For example, she implements a suitable sickness policy, which includes appropriate arrangements if children become ill such as, obtaining written permission from parents to seek emergency advice and treatment and asking parents to collect their children if they become ill whilst in her care. The childminder also enforces exclusion periods for children that have infectious conditions, which in turn helps to prevent the spread of infection. Children are developing an understanding of the importance of health and hygiene. The childminder provides some opportunities for children to learn about healthy living. Drinks are readily available in the home where they can independently access water. The childminder takes into account parents wishes of allowing them to bring a

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

packed lunch, this ensures children are given foods that they like and regularly eat at home. The childminder effectively plans the children's time to ensure they have opportunities to access and enjoy her outdoor facility weather permitting. Children are able to access her garden and enjoy practicing and developing skills using a wide range of equipment such as, rockers, scooters and a slide. In addition they walk regularly to the local school to pick the other children up which also promotes their general good health.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder takes some positive steps to minimise hazards to children within her home. For example, she uses safety gates, checks fire alarms regularly and has a fire blanket located in the kitchen. She ensures children are safe by securing her premises. This allows children to use most areas independently and safely. The childminder is clear on what she would do in the event of a fire, however, she does not practise this so the children are not informed of this safety procedure. Although in some areas of safety she encourages their understanding and learning by reinforcing that they must hold hands when walking back from school. Children make choices as they independently select activities from a satisfactory range of accessible, clean toys and equipment, which meet safety standards.

p.3

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 a clear understanding of local child protection procedures and this has been consolidated by her attendance on a recent child protection course. For example she has an awareness of some of the signs of child abuse, she has written guidance from the local Area Child Protection Committee. Which enables her to share knowledge and understanding and implement appropriate procedures should she raise a concern. As a result children's welfare is suitably protected.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They are developing a good sense of belonging through the warm and welcoming accommodation and have a friendly and trusting relationship with the childminder. They relate well to one another and socialise with other children at the childminder's home and at toddler groups. They begin to develop an understanding of belonging to a group and their place in the world. A range of toys and equipment that reflects all areas of learning is provided. Children become independent as they access suitable toys and equipment. The childminder has knowledge of the Birth To Three Matters framework and is in the early stages of using it. Although the childminder has knowledge and understanding of appropriate activities for the age and stage of development of the children in her care, she does not formally plan activities as a result activities lack aim and objectives and children's

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

learning is rarely challenged or extended. The childminder knows the children well and recognises their need for quiet activities and sleeps when they become tired. She understands their normal patters and plans her day to ensure their needs are met. The childminder cares for the children sensitively and praises their achievements, for example, encouraging them to save pictures or construction models to show their parents, this develops the children's confidence and gives them a sense of achievement and pride in their work.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a range of toys and play equipment that promote awareness of the diversity of the world. The childminders attitude and knowledge of equal opportunities is sound. As a result children have some opportunities to become aware of different religions, cultures and disabilities in this world and this in turn develops their awareness and understanding of others. The childminder develops positive partnerships with parents. She ensures parents are fully aware of the information on her setting and she invites them in to view the type of care she provides. This helps to ensure consistency and continuity in the children's care at all times. She gathers good information on the children and their families before they are cared for, which helps to settle children in and daily conversations with parents ensure children's individual needs are successfully met.

p.4

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 Children are developing a suitable understanding of responsible behaviour in response to some good behaviour management strategies used by the childminder. She calmly talks to children about what is not appropriate and gives praise for both effort and achievement. The childminder ensures each child is treated as an individual and finds appropriate sensitive methods of caring for each child for example one of the children in her care gets upset at tidy up time, so the childminder has made this time of the day into a fun music session so the children can sing and dance while putting the toys away.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and settle well in this suitably organised setting. Children have enough space to play and work in, which in turn enables them to extend some of their own play and learning. Time is suitably used and there are routines in place around sleeping, eating and taking and collecting children from school, which helps the children to feel secure. There are some effective and clear policies in place to promote children's learning and development. Documentation is appropriately shared and confidentiality is acknowledged and maintained. This keeps parents informed about their child's routines and the childminder's childcare practices. The childminder considers that developing her future childcare practice by attending relevant child care courses will have a positive effect on the welfare and development of the children in her care. The provision meets the needs of children that attend.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The last children's act inspection required the childminder to improve the safety in her home. She has ensured that all areas accessible to children are safe by securing a fire guard around the fire and hearth, ensuring the bathroom used by children is safe and by making the kitchen inaccessible with a fixed safety gate. She has made significant improvements to ensuring the children remain healthy by ensuring the cat bowl is out of reach and by obtaining medication, accident and incident documents and ensuring these are signed by parents. She has also developed her own knowledge through attending the Introduction To Childminding course and by developing her knowledge of equal opportunities. Her knowledge of equal opportunities has led to the development of resources such as material that is made into different cultural dresses.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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 that those made to Ofsted.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • ensure emergency evacuation procedures are in place • ensure risks and hazards are identified inside and outside the home • consider ways of planning activities to plan for the next steps for children's development and ensure this planning meets the children's individual needs.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6