Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY302493 Inspection date 14 February 2006 Inspector Thecla Grant

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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 her husband and two children aged 5 and 7 in Leeds. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under the age of 5 all day. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group as well as the local childminding drop-in centre. The family have a pet rabbit.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder suitably follows current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. She has appropriate systems in place to promote children's wellbeing. For example, the medication and accident book are available for parents and are recorded accurately. The childminder has a first aid certificate, but it does not include first aid for infants and young children. This is a breach of regulations. The childminder cleans children's hands before they eat, however, she does not teach the children how to competently wash their hands. As a result, children do not suitably learn simple good health and hygiene practices from an early age. The children are given a choice of what they would like for breakfast. For example, they are given a choice of toast and milk or cereal. They enjoy their choice of toast with a

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Helping children to be healthy

drink. The childminder provides a limited range of physical activities for the children. For example, they access outdoor play in the afternoon and enjoy the equipment provided for them. Consequently, children do not have enough opportunities to develop their large motor movements. Children rest and sleep according to their needs. For example, when the younger child sleeps, the older child and the childminder play quiet activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are suitably cared for in a welcoming indoor and outdoor environment. The childminder displays posters of the children's favourite characters and organises the play room to entice the children to play. Children use suitable and safe equipment which is age appropriate, stimulating and provides suitable challenge. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to keep children safe and secure in her home, most safety and security procedures are in place. For example, the childminder has a smoke alarm on all levels of her home, the fire guard is secured to the wall and the fire safety procedures are practiced and recorded. However, children can access hazards in the garden and the main entrance is not effectively secured. As a result, children are not effectively safe in the childminder's home. Children are appropriately protected because the childminder understands her role in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary.

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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 good. Children develop confidence and self-esteem, they respond well to indoor experiences, activities and routines. The children show keen interest in what they do. For example, the older child decides to feed the baby doll, he says "she wants milk". He then decides to give her a bath, he allows the younger child to take over the care of the doll while he plays with the baking equipment. The children have settled well into their environment and confidently experiment and explore their surroundings. The younger child has learned to climb and does so competently, she climbs onto the sofa, getting off is a little more difficult, however, she does this well. Children are confident and happy in the childminder's home. Children effectively acquire new knowledge and skills. For example, they are learning to post a variety of different shapes into the correct compartments. They do this under the supervision of the childminder. The children enjoy role-play and use the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

dolls to re-enact familiar scenes. For example, the 2-year-old is learning how to use the potty and has decided to potty train the doll. As a result, children are representing and developing their imaginative skills effectively. Children have a positive relationship with the childminder and get on well with each other. They enjoy going on visits to the local drop-in centres as well as to the park. Children respond very well to challenges, for example, they help the childminder to pick the small pieces of glitter from the floor. They are going to make Valentine cards. The younger child concentrates as she uses fine pincer movements to pick the small pieces off the floor.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder works with parents to meet individual children’s needs and ensure they are fully included. The childminder has suitable systems in place to include children with special needs into her setting. The children have a good sense of belonging, their interactions across the provision are positive because the childminder knows the children well. As a result, children are relaxed and able to explore and investigate confidently. Children are beginning to distinguish between right and wrong. For example, the children put their finger puppets on to listen to the story about a 'Horsey.' The younger child decides to get the older child's finger puppet and squeals because she cannot get it. The childminder deals with this behaviour very well. As a result, the children are appropriately learning responsible behaviour. The childminder celebrated Chinese New Year by preparing a Chinese tea for the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children. However, the childminder has a limited range of resources to reflect diversity. For example, a book with a positive image of race and poster reflecting children of different races.

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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. The childminder makes good use of the space and other resources in her home so that children are well cared for and supported during their time with her. The children are well protected and cared for by the childminder who has a suitable knowledge and understanding of child development. She is committed toward her personal development and has attended relevant courses. The adult/child ratio positively supports children’s care, learning and play. The childminder has a good range of policies and procedures including one for complaints. These appropriately work in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Overall the quality of the provision suitably meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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 complaint 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): • make sure resources include positive images of culture and disability • make sure children cannot leave the premises without supervision and hazards indoors and outdoors are inaccessible to the children

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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 • make sure arrangements are in place for children to access regular outdoor play and provide opportunities for children to suitably learn simple good health and hygiene practices from an early age • complete a first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children and make sure the certificate is maintained.

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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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