Childminder in Leeds

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 320193 Inspection date 28/10/2008 Inspector Linda Filewood

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1996 and lives with her husband in Headingley, a suburb of Leeds. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding with bathroom facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The premises are accessible to people with limited mobility.

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Description of the childminding

The care is usually shared with a co-childminder. When working alone there are three places for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. This provision is registered on the Childcare Register and children occupying these places share the same facilities as the children in the early years age range. When working with her co-childminder, there are six places for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is currently minding nine children under five, one child on a full time basis and eight children part time, and five children over five before and after school. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has established close, partnerships with the other provisions children attend.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a dog and a cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder ensures she has a good knowledge of each child’s individual needs through an effective exchange of information and strong partnerships with parents and other professionals. This significantly contributes to successful continuity in their care and development, positive promotion of their individual needs and ensures that any additional development support is effectively maintained. Children are generally safe and secure at all times but the premises are not sufficiently secured to prevent unwanted visitors from entering which puts children at risk. The childminder plans and evaluates the activities she provides in order to identify their success, value and areas for improvement. She identifies areas for future development and has addressed the recommendations from the previous inspection, which has improved the outcomes for children.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 ensure good hygiene routines are in place to reduce the risk of cross infection with regards to hand drying  extend the written risk assessments to ensure they cover specific outings, such as walks to and from school and the park  continue to develop the use of observation and assessment to further promote children's learning across all areas. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 submit an action plan to show how intruders will be prevented from entering the premises. 04/11/2008

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and has attended the basic training to develop her knowledge. She has identified further courses with a view to extending this knowledge and improving her practice. A sufficient range of policies and procedures are in place to support the childminder's working practice and these are shared with parents. All the recommendations made at the last inspection have been addressed and, in particular, records and registers are now accurately maintained, significantly improving the children's welfare. The childminder reflects on activities, such as outings, that she plans for the children and notes any changes to improve their enjoyment and value in the future. The childminder has begun making observations of the children to support their development and progress. These identify the next steps in their learning, any additional support

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provision

required and informs the future provision of play opportunities, although the system is not yet fully developed.

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provision

Secure working relationships are in place with parents and carers. The especially close link with children's key persons at the local pre-school significantly enhances the provision of any additional support. Parents are very happy with the care their children receive and the childminder makes time at initial visits to clearly explain the service offered. The childminder discusses any ongoing issues, children's daily activities and achievements with parents and encourages them to contribute photographs, for example, so that children can talk about their home life.

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provision

The childminder works well with her co-minder to give children good supervision at all times and provide an inclusive environment. However, there is no system in place to alert them to visitors entering the premises and this is a potential risk to the children's safety and is a legislative requirement. Children play safely with a very good range of equipment that is well maintained, of good quality and suitable for their use. The children's risk of accidental injury is minimised as the childminder acts upon any areas for concern identified through written risk assessments. However, risk assessments have not been undertaken for all specific outings, for example, the walk to and from school. The childminder has a suitable understanding of child protection procedures, information on local procedures is up to date and all relevant contact numbers to safeguard the children are now readily available.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a homely environment where the childminder competently supports children's learning and development through play. Abundant displays of children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 artwork and posters reflecting diversity grace the provision's walls. This demonstrates that the childminder values their creativity and supports their understanding of the wider world. The childminder flexibly plans activities around children's interests, stages of development and learning and has yet to fully utilise identified next steps in their learning, gathered through observations. As a result, each child receives a mostly challenging yet enjoyable experience across all the areas of learning. The childminder extends their speech and language development through good verbal communication and skilful questioning to extend their thinking. She listens carefully to what children say and praises their efforts, as well as

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

achievements, so that all children develop good self-esteem. Children, especially those who have additional language development needs, benefit through close working partnerships with parents and other professionals. The childminder proficiently adapts suggested exercises so that all children benefit. For instance, she extends the formation of letter sounds so that older children think about other words beginning with the same letter. Children enjoy exploring the toys, which are all easily accessible to them. For example, some stand to watch a musical rocking toy they have chosen whilst others select a favourite book to look at. The childminder resumes activities, such as play dough, after mealtimes so that children can continue to enjoy manipulating the dough. Younger children begin to count the lollipop sticks they have stuck into it, whilst older ones extend their counting skills by counting backwards.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children confidently and independently move around the childminder's home. A well equipped outdoor play area, with easy access from indoors, allows children daily opportunity to enjoy garden games. They gain awareness of their environment as they visit local amenities and walk to and from school, learning how to keep safe on the roads on the way. The childminder supports children's growing independence as they begin to do learn how to safely do things for themselves. For example, older children carefully slice the cucumber up to add to the lunch time meal. Mealtimes are a valued part of the daily routine. Children sit together, chat about the food they are eating, learn good table manners and this positively supports their social development. The food the childminder provides is home cooked, healthy and nutritious. Children's individual dietary requirements and their preferences are well met through discussion with parents and the children. Children are beginning to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

understand simple good health and hygiene practices, especially after toileting. However, older children using the upstairs bathroom facilities do not use separate towels when drying their hands and this does not address the risk of cross infection. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? Good The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Satisfactory How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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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