Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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320049 Unique Reference Number 01 June 2006 Inspection date Ingrid Szczerban Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 has been registered since 1996. She lives with her husband who is a registered assistant and their two children aged 14 and 17 years. An additional assistant is used at times agreed with parents They live in a semi detached house in the Calverley area of Leeds in 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding 11 children on a part time basis, three of whom are over the age of eight years. The family have three cats and the childminder has a pony which is kept in nearby stables.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends a local toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. She partakes in a quality assurance scheme run by the local authority and is a member of the West Yorkshire Police 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 learn about personal hygiene and care through daily routines, such as hand washing at appropriate times. Children's health is protected from the spread of infection because the home is very clean, well-maintained and tidy. Toys are washed regularly and children use individual wipes after meals and snacks. However, separate hand towels are not available in the toilet. Children's best interests are fully considered in the event of them being sick. Young children rest and sleep according to their individual needs so they remain healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health benefits from being given only healthy and nutritious snacks, such as fresh fruit and vegetables and regular drinks. Children learn well how to make healthy food choices. Older children each select three items from a menu board as accompaniments to their tea. The options are all healthy, including items, such as cucumber, tomato and cheese. They learn about foods which are good for them through regular discussions with the childminder and involvement in the preparation of food. Children learn that their tastes can change over time as the childminder reviews records from the previous year with them and they notice the changes. Children eat well and state readily that they like the childminder's food.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a very positive attitude to physical exercise. Regular visits to parks, playgrounds and playing in the garden benefits children's health. Children use a variety of equipment including, bats, balls, scooters and skate boards which helps to develop their balance, coordination and stamina. Children also develop their skills in running, jumping and climbing because specific activities are well planned to promote all aspects of energetic play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have enough space to move around safely and freely. The environment is safe and secure both inside and outdoors. All potential risks to children are identified and minimised by the childminder. All safety features are in place in the areas of the home where children have access and children receive excellent levels of supervision to keep them safe. Fences with gates around the front and the side doors, ensure that children are kept safe when entering and leaving the premises.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a very good range of developmentally appropriate resources, which are provided to extend all areas of their development. All children's toys and equipment are safely and easily accessible to the children thereby furthering their independence. High priority is given to safety. Children learn how to keep themselves from harm. They know the rules for taking equipment to the park, that it must always be carried and never ridden until they reach the destination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. She has attended relevant training and has written procedures to follow should the need arise. Therefore children's welfare needs are fully addressed.

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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 are happy and settled. They benefit from having their individual needs met within warm and caring relationships which contribute to their sense of belonging. Children gain high levels of self-esteem and confidence in the child orientated environment where they experience consistent support, praise and encouragement. Children benefit from regular routines that are planned around their needs which increases their emotional well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience an extensive range of planned and spontaneous activities both inside and outside the home which expand learning in all areas of their development. Young children attend toddler groups every week which fosters communication, creativity, physical skills and expands their experience and understanding of the wider world. Older children's decision-making skills benefit from having the freedom to choose between planned activities or their own preferred ones after school. During school holidays a variety of activities and outings are planned to interest and engage children fully, such as taking photographs with cameras to extend children's technological skills and creativity. They visit the childminder's pony thereby widening their experience of the natural world and the care of animals. Children's mathematical skills are extended as the childminder asks how many children are present therefore how many bowls

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's language and communication skills are excellent. They talk with pleasure, clearly enjoying each others company. Children show high levels of confidence talking to adults and between themselves. They recall past events in their own words which develops good memory skills and using language for thinking. Young children communicate most effectively with simple sounds and gestures to which the childminder is very well attuned.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children have a keen interest and awareness of others. These are fostered by the excellent range of resources and experiences that promote all aspects of diversity in the wider community. They learn about different countries as they write in other scripts, such as Chinese and chat about languages spoken in Canada and Japan. They eat foods from around the world and know about different cultures and religions. Children's knowledge and awareness of the local community is enhanced through regular trips to local attractions, parks and shops. A particular strength of the setting is the excellent care that children with special needs receive. All the children attending benefit by increasing their ability to communicate in more diverse ways.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are extremely well-behaved, confident and relaxed, in response to the excellent behaviour management strategies used by the childminder. They are valued and respected as individuals this is evidenced by the high levels of respect and care they show to others. Children show genuine concern and affection towards one another and are very good at sharing. Older children have a very mature understanding of the needs of younger children and show a good degree of patience and self-control.

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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 Children benefit from the excellent partnerships and innovative methods of communication that the childminder has developed with parents. These include daily discussions, photograph albums and a notice board. Children who only attend during the holidays receive letters from the childminder to welcome them back, tell them who will be there and inform them of planned activities and suitable clothing to bring. Children's care benefits greatly from the childminder and assistant working closely with parents and other agencies. Children settle well as a result of close consultation between the childminder and parents prior to admission. This ensures that home routines are followed and the transition for children is made as seamless as possible. Exemplary arrangements are made to inform parents of children's ongoing progress and

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Space is effectively organised to meet the needs of the children so that they are able to initiate and extend their own play and learning. They move around freely and can independently reach their toys. The children receive excellent levels of individual time and attention from the childminder and the assistant. Routines are organised around the needs of children demonstrating the childminder's high regard for their well-being. All adults in the home and assistants are suitably vetted to protect the welfare needs of children.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to ongoing training. Having attended training including the Birth to three matters framework, the Foundation Stage and courses on special needs, she implements what she has leant very well to enhance her good practice with children. She is currently following a quality assurance scheme with the local authority.

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Organisation

Documentation is kept in line with the National Standards and is reasonably organised. The childminder has all necessary parental permissions in writing and has several policies which are shared with them. The complaints procedure reflects the recent changes regarding the provider's duty to self-investigate but a system for recording these has not yet been developed. The registration certificate is displayed and the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. Overall the needs of the children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection a recommendation was made regarding training. The childminder has continued to improve the level of service she provides for children by effectively implementing training in; special needs, the Birth to three framework and the Foundation Stage as well as many other relevant courses.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted received a concern 1 October 2004, relating to National Standard 2, organisation of adult- child ratios. The provider submitted a detailed written report. This information was reviewed and the provider remains qualified for registration.

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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 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): • develop a system for recording the self-investigation of any complaints received • provide separate hand towels for each child.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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