Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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512045 Unique Reference Number 09 May 2006 Inspection date Andrea Rockett 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 August 2001. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 17 and 15 years. Their home is situated in Allerton Bywater and there are shops, schools and parks within close proximity. The ground floor is used for caring for children and there is a fully enclosed area for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for 6 children under 8 years of age and there are currently 12 on roll. Most children attend on a part time basis. The childminder is a qualified nursery nurse and works with an assistant on a regular basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder runs a toddler group two mornings a week and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder actively promotes good hygiene practices to prevent the spread of infection and to keep children healthy. For example, each child has their own hand towel. They understand healthy hygiene procedures, such as hand washing before meals and after using the toilet. Recordings are in place for medication and there are clear written details for the exclusion of sick children to prevent cross-contamination, the details of which are shared with parents. The childminder displays her current first aid certificate and has access to a first aid box in her home, which helps to ensure the health and safety of children at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy eating is promoted through daily discussion and children are offered a varied selection of fresh fruit and vegetables daily, which is essential for their well-being and healthy growth. The childminder takes account of parents wishes, so that children's individual health and dietary requirements are met successfully. For example, parents provide packed lunches for their children, which the childminder stores in the fridge to maintain their freshness. Drinks are provided regularly throughout the day, for example, water, milk and juice. Meals are eaten at the table which provides a social occasion.

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Helping children to be healthy

A varied selection of physical activities are offered to children, which contribute to their good health. For example, they use the stimulating outdoor facilities, which include a climbing frame, scooters and bikes. Their gross motor skills are extended further as they walk to the local school and visit the ducks in the pond. Children engage in opportunities of playing badminton and ball games which helps to extend their hand-eye coordination successfully. They have an awareness of space and move with confidence around the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to sufficient, safe space to allow them to enjoy a wide variety of activities. The environment is bright, with a large selection of good quality toys and resources, which are easily accessible and promotes their independence and choice successfully. For example, toys are placed on the floor in boxes, which aids children in their selection. Furniture is of a suitable design and conforms to safety standards. The childminder has very good security precautions in place, for example, the pond and the greenhouse are securely fenced off to prevent children gaining access. Daily risk assessments are in place and the childminder always checks the garden for potential hazards before children are allowed to play outside. The garden is fully enclosed and the gates are always locked when children are playing outside.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Thorough procedures are in place to ensure children are safe when on outings. For example, all children have suitable car seats and the childminder always checks everyone's seat belts are securely fastened before setting off. She talks to them at length about safety issues to extend their awareness of how to keep safe successfully. Children are effectively supervised at all times and they are taught about road safety on outings, which increases their ability to assess risks. For example, the childminder reminds them to hold hands and stop, look and listen for cars

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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 before crossing the road. Potential hazards have been identified around the home and the childminder stores all hazardous products in high cupboards and places cushions around the hearth to keep children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Fire safety is enhanced as the evacuation procedure is displayed on the wall and is practised regularly, which helps children to learn to keep themselves safe. Procedures for child protection are very clearly understood by the childminder and she is aware that the protection of children is her first priority. For example, she is aware of the possible signs and symptoms of children at risk. There is a clear procedure to follow in the event of a child being collected by another adult. For example, from the onset of caring for children the childminder has a password in place to ensure the safety of the child. The childminder ensures she always supervises children successfully to maintain their safety at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very confident in their surroundings and settle well. The childminder is attentive and sensitive towards each child's individual needs. As a result, children have close relationships with her which increases their sense of trust. Children's early communication skills are well supported through quality adult-child interaction. For example, the childminder highlights the names of different animals and the noises they make when playing with toddlers. A very good range of activities is offered which helps the children to extend their learning and development in varied ways. For example, they attempt to place threads into the holes of large plastic buttons and older children engage in opportunities of craft activities of glass painting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides children with activity sheets which follow the foundation stages of learning. Each child has their own record file where activities are highlighted, for example, they are supported by colourful photographs of the occasion. The childminder implements the Birth to three matters framework into her daily working practices. Toddlers understand about choices and reasons for doing things in a certain way because the childminder explains why she sometimes has to say 'no'. Children are developing a good understanding of numbers and counting through daily play, for example, counting is incorporated into finding out how many buttons there are in the threading box. Children choose what they would like to do and enjoy the freedom of accessing the vast selection of toys and resources.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder involves children in real life experiences, for example, they visit the local church and bluebell woods where they search for mini beasts. This gives children the opportunity to learn about their environment and be a part of their local community. Activities are planned well and are used effectively as opportunities to aid children's learning. For example, the childminder has frog spawn in a container and she encourages the children to monitor the changes that are taking place, which develops their knowledge and understanding of the world. This helps children make good progress in their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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 make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children take part in activities appropriate to their needs and abilities which successfully creates an inclusive provision for all. Children are treated equally and the childminder helps them to recognise and value diversity through a good range of activities, toys and resources. For example, children engage in craft activities of colouring pictures of dragons for the Chinese New Year and talk about where pizzas originate from as they decorate pizza bases. Children have opportunities to play with disabled dolls and toy wheelchairs and look at positive images in books. These activities help children to understand and acknowledge cultural differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour is good and children are aware of their boundaries, for example, they are aware they must take their shoes off when they enter the home. House rules are displayed in the home which serve as useful reminders. This reinforces their awareness of routine and what is expected of them. The childminder offers lots of praise and encouragement which promotes children's self-esteem. She encourages children to tidy away their activities when they have finished playing with them and makes them stickers as rewards for good behaviour. Effective behaviour management strategies are used by the childminder as she successfully distracts toddlers to other activities when they attempt to climb resources and open doors.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents have good information about the setting and their child's progress, for example, they can access the policies and procedures and look at their child's development file at any time. A lot of information is displayed for parents within the home. This includes the Ofsted poster, fire evacuation, house rules and the registration certificate. The childminder has a clear induction procedure in place for new children where a gradual integration system is used to enable children to be confident when separating from their parents. Verbal daily discussions take place between the childminder and the parents to ensure all individual needs are met effectively.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is a good role model and works with an assistant regularly. Together they are a cohesive team as they share the general care of the children. They promote children's welfare, enabling them to participate actively and make good progress within a structured and safe environment. Children's experiences are enhanced by the childminders range of appropriate childcare qualifications. For example, child psychology and nursery nursing. The home is bright and organised in a way that allows children to access designated areas of play.

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Organisation

The childminder organises her working week effectively to enable children to extend their knowledge and understanding of the world successfully through outings, for example, Lotherton Hall, Temple Newsam, Roundhay Park and Robin Hood Bay. The childminder organises the local Mother and Toddler group twice a week which enables children to extend their social lives successfully. Comprehensive policies and procedures are in place, the majority of which are organised. Documentation complies with regulations, is stored appropriately and maintains confidentiality and security.

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Organisation

Overall, the setting meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Organisation

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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were made in relation to safety and documentation. These have been addressed appropriately. All exits from the home are now easily accessible in the event of an emergency. The childminder now informs Ofsted of all significant events. These help to ensure the safety and well being of all children.

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Complaints 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 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): • further develop and expand policies and procedures to ensure they are in line with Ofsted requirements.

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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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