Childminder in LeedsOfsted inspection, 29 Mar 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY271021 Inspection date 29 March 2006 Inspector Lindsay Helen Dobson

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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 has been registered since 2003. She lives in a town house in a suburb of Leeds known as Whinmoor. The setting is within walking distance of shops and parks, and the childminder escorts and collects a child from the local nursery and school. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and consists of a lounge with dining area and a kitchen. There is also a ground floor cloakroom. A rear garden is available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under 8 years. There are currently nine children aged between 2 years and 10 years on roll.

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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 family have two pet cats. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler club regularly. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from a healthy diet as they are learning about healthy eating and are provided with a wide range of nutritious meals and snacks. The childminder discusses the children's individual dietary needs with their parents and takes their wishes, and the children's choices into account, to ensure children remain healthy. The children enjoy regular drinks throughout the day and make choices between water and dilute juice. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well planned daily routines. They are learning, for example, that it 'stops germs spreading' when they wash their hands after using the toilet, playing in the garden and before eating. Children are encouraged to brush their teeth after meals and snacks. Children enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, at home and on outings, which helps their general good health and contributes to their bodily control and

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Helping children to be healthy

development. They enjoy running, climbing and jumping. They also play with the good selection of outdoor resources, which they can pull, push or ride on. This provides them with opportunities to develop their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Risks of accidental injury to the children are minimised because the childminder has a good awareness of potential hazards and has made her home safe for the children to play freely. Children are well-supervised at all times and the childminder provides a good balance between freedom to explore and the setting of safe limits. Children are gaining an awareness of possible dangers, including road safety. Children receive a warm welcome to this child-friendly environment. They independently select activities from a large range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises activities and toys to ensure they are safe, clean and appropriate for their use, and the children's age and abilities. Children are able to develop in an environment which is child-centred and encourages individual choice. Children's welfare is promoted by the childminder, who has a clear understanding of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

child protection issues and has attended training. She has procedures in place to ensure the children's welfare is paramount at all times.

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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 settle extremely well at the childminder's house, freely moving around and choosing from a good range of toys, equipment and activities. These are easily accessible and encourage the children to make independent choices and decisions. Children benefit from the childminder's good interaction. For example, she gives good eye contact, lots of cuddles and plays at children's level, which stimulates their language and promotes self esteem. Activities are well organised. Children are involved in a good range of activities both inside and in the garden and through visits and outings. These support and promote children's all round development. For example, children enjoy visiting the park, the childminding group and the bird garden. The childminder ensures that children receive her full attention and benefit from her good understanding of child development. She ensures all activities are age

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

appropriate. The childminder knows the children very well and provides the required support for each child to try new skills, set their own limits and know when to ask for help.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children show care and concern for each other. For example, they are encouraged to take turns and share. Positive behaviour and praise is promoted with the children and the childminder also acts as a good role model. For example, she says "thank you," "please" and "good boy," ensuring that children play together harmoniously and behave well in a happy and relaxed atmosphere. The children have access to a good range of activities and resources to promote a positive awareness of diversity, this includes books. This develops children's awareness and understanding of the wider world through everyday play situations. Children learn about the environment that they live in through visits in the local community and other places of interest. Children are recognised and valued for their individuality and the childminder knows them very well. Children are happy in the childminder's care, they relate to her

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Helping children make a positive contribution

positively. They are settled and confidently make themselves at home. For example, children lead play and make decisions about what they want to do. Their needs are met due to the verbal sharing of information and close working partnership between the childminder and their parents. However, information regarding day to day activities could be enhanced.

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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 The organisation is good. The children move around the organised environment with ease and appear to feel at home. This develops their confidence and enables them to extend their own play and learning. All information is kept in a confidential manner and shared with parents regularly. Parents are kept well informed about the service offered to their child. For example, the childminder has an information file and she correctly completes registers and accident forms. This ensures good awareness for parents and continuity of care for children. The children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of the standards and the way in which she confidently implements them. Children's care and learning is positively supported, by the childminder's commitment to providing a quality service. Overall,

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to develop her resources which reflect positive images of diversity, ensure medication records meet with regulations and ensure fire exits are clear and easily accessible. The childminder now has a good selection of resources which promote children's interest in the wider world in a very positive manner, and these are used in every day play situations. Medication records are detailed and up-to-date, and fire exits are clear ensuring children are kept safe and free from harm.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop procedures for sharing day to day information with parents.

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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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