Childminder in Wakefield

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 321958 Inspection date 03/11/2008 Inspector Helen Blackburn

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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 1985. She lives with her husband in the Netherton area of Wakefield, where there is access to schools, shops, parks and public transport. The childminder's husband works as a registered assistant. The children are cared for in a purpose built cabin in the rear garden of the childminder's home. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play. There is a dog kept on the premises.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, including when she works with her assistant. There are currently ten children on roll aged from 11 months to six years. Of these, eight children are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also cares for older children, this provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary childcare register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder appropriately promotes children’s welfare, learning and development, however, there is some documentation lacking. Through knowing the children well and working with parents, the childminder meets all their individual needs and the children are happy and settled in her care. The children are safe and the learning environment adequately promotes diversity and encourages children to make independent choices in their play. The children have a positive approach to their learning and they eagerly engage in activities that help them to make steady progress. Through informally reflecting on her practice alongside her assistant, the childminder is making sound progress towards continual improving the service she provides for children and she has a realistic view of her current abilities.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the assessment, observation and planning records to support individual children's learning and progress, including incorporating parents and others in this process.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 devise risk assessments to identify all aspects of the environment, activities and outings that need to be checked on a regular basis, including when and by whom they have been checked. (Suitable premises environment and equipment) 04/12/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder's self-evaluation process is informal, through occasionally reflecting on her practice she has a realistic view on the service she offers and the areas for development. She has made some progress in addressing the recommendations made at the last inspection. For example, she now provides individual drying facilities to minimise cross-infection, however, the use of parental contracts is still developing. Through accessing some training, the childminder is taking positive steps to support her professional development. This training is helping her to gain new ideas that she can use to influence her practice, therefore, promoting positive outcomes for children’s welfare and learning.

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provision

Relationships with the parents are sound; they work together and verbally share and exchange information regarding children’s individual needs. The childminder is sensitive to these needs and ensures she plans them into the day so that the children receive individual care. The childminder understands the importance of involving parents and others in children’s learning and development so that she promotes continuity; however, systems to support this are still in the early stages of development. For example, encouraging parents to contribute what they know about their child’s learning and progress.

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provision

The arrangements for safeguarding children are appropriate. The childminder supervises the children well and ensures she has a number of precautions in place to keep children safe. She regularly carries out safety checks to ensure she maintains a safe environment for children. However, written risk assessments to cover all aspects of the provision and outings are lacking, which is a breach of a specific legal requirement. Through play and activities, the childminder supports the children in learning about how they can keep themselves safe. For example, she constantly reminds them how to play safely with equipment so that they do not hurt themselves or others and through fire evacuation practices, children know what to do in an emergency. Through having a sufficient understanding of child protection issues and procedures, the childminder knows how to protect children from harm. For example, she understands the procedures to follow if she has

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provision

concerns about a child in her care. All adults living or working on the premises have undergone appropriate checks and the childminder supervises all visitors to the home to keep children safe.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Overall, the childminder maintains most documentation to meet minimum requirements within the Early Years Foundation Stage, such as details of the children, registers of attendance, medication and accident records. These records contribute to promoting children’s welfare and to meeting their individual needs. The management of illness, infection and hygiene is appropriate to promote children’s health and well-being. The children are developing their understanding of health and personal care, for example, with help they remember to wash their hands and wipe their noses throughout the day. Through the childminder providing a varied range of healthy snacks and meals, the children are appropriately learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about making healthy food choices. The children have regular opportunities to play outdoors, which encourages them to be active and to lead a healthy lifestyle. For

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

example, the children enthusiastically ride bikes in the garden and enjoy occasional walks in the community and to the park.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children well and she has good relationships with them. This results in meeting their needs and ensures children are happy and settled in an environment that promotes continuity. For example, babies feed and sleep in line with their own routines. The childminder regularly works with an assistant; this contributes to the smooth operation of the day, such as preparation of snacks and school runs and ensures the children receive lots of one-one attention. Through positive role models, the children are beginning to understand about sharing and taking turns. The childminder is consistent in how she manages children behaviour, providing explanations and positive praise so that the children learn about right and wrong. The children are beginning to gain an understanding about respecting and valuing others around them. For example, through walks in the community, discussions and activities the childminder is helping them to learn about diversity

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children have a positive approach to their learning and the childminder is mindful that the young children’s concentration span is short, therefore, she regularly changes the activities to maintain their interest, building on what she knows the children like. By organising a selection of resources in boxes, the children can make their own choices and decisions in their play, which supports them in becoming confident and independent individuals. Younger children eagerly construct towers with the bricks, enthusiastically sing songs and join in the actions, they carefully handle books and listen to short stories and they enjoy creative activities. Babies explore their environment with enthusiasm, they reach for toys and babble and smile with pleasure when adults interact with them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is becoming more familiar with the document and is using it more frequently to gain ideas to help children to progress in their learning. When interacting with the children she understands what individual children are able to achieve and she supports this by asking appropriate questions and by providing sufficient challenges for them. For example, the childminder encourages the children to develop their mathematical skills as they count the crayons in the box or the bricks when building their towers. She has begun to carry out observations on the children and she has a clear understanding how she will use these to plan for children’s next steps in learning and how they will link to the monitoring and recording of children’s progress. However, these observations, planning and assessment records are still in the very early stages and are not yet used to influence the childminder's practice or

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

to show how children are progressing towards the early learning goals. This includes incorporating the contributions from others involved in the child’s learning. 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

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is 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? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 devise and make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 04/12/2008  devise and make available to parents a written statement that provides details to be followed to safeguard children being cared for from abuse or neglect (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 04/12/2008

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified to meet the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. 04/12/2008 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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