Childminder in Kirklees

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 EY254455 Inspection date 18/03/2009 Inspector Anne Bennett

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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 2003 and lives in Brockholes on the outskirts of Huddersfield. The setting offers care from 07.30 until 18.00 every weekday except during the Christmas holidays and one week during the summer holidays. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder has a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register to care for five children, three of whom may be in the early years age group. There are currently six children on role, of these four are in the early years age group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The overall quality of the provision is good. Parents receive detailed information about their child's care, learning and development including policies and procedures at admission, daily communication diaries and open access to individual records. Assessment and observation systems effectively identify and meet children's individual needs, ensuring that all children make good progress and have an equal opportunity within the setting. However, next steps as children work towards the early learning goals are not clearly identified in learning and development records. Robust arrangements are in place to ensure children’s welfare is effectively promoted and the childminder intends to pursue additional training in order to further develop knowledge of child protection issues. Risks are effectively assessed and managed however, risk assessments for outings beyond the setting are not currently conducted and reviewed. Self evaluation processes

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

are in the initial stages and the childminder is currently working with the local authority to develop these further.

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further?

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

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further?

 consider ways to reflect more actively on practice  continue to develop observation and assessment systems to clearly identify next steps for children as they progress towards the early learning goals.

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further?

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

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further?

 conduct and review risk assessments for each type of outing 03/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Clear and comprehensive policies and procedures are shared with parents at admission and are openly available for ongoing reference. The provision works in partnership with parents well, sharing information and involving them in their child’s learning and development through open access to individual observation and assessment scrapbooks. Daily diaries and diary sheets are completed for children of all ages, detailing care and activity information for parents. The childminder has established positive working relationships with other early years providers and has developed a connections diary which is used to share information and support transitions beyond the setting.

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provision

Effective steps to promote the welfare of children that attend the setting are taken and clear procedures are in place to care for children who are ill. Well maintained records for accidents, incidents and administration of medication are shared with parents, reassuring them about their child's welfare and safety. The childminder demonstrates an adequate knowledge and understanding of issues relating to child protection and intends to pursue training in order to develop this further. Children are effectively supervised in a clean, well-kept environment where they are secure and can play with stimulating, safe and appropriate materials and equipment. The childminder is alert to potential hazards and conducts daily checks and risk assessments of the premises and outdoor area. However the current risk assessment system does not extend to cover outings which is a requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.

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provision

The childminder ensures a positive attitude to diversity and difference and includes every child through the provision of accessible and age and developmentally appropriate activities and experiences. Self-evaluation is in the initial stages and the childminder is committed to attending further training and working with parents and external agencies in order to improve outcomes for children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows individual children well and has established warm and genuine relationships with them. Flexible planning is responsive to spontaneous learning experiences and provides opportunities for children to revisit aspects of their learning and extend successful activities. Individual scrapbooks containing spontaneous and planned observations, photographs and assessments are effectively used to record and track children's progress and identify any gaps in learning and development. However, individual observation and assessment systems do not clearly identify next steps for children as they progress towards the early learning goals. Additional information on the six areas of learning is included in records for parents to reference and the childminder is looking to develop this further by incorporating a colour coded system.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder ensures all children can join in and have fun in a wide range of activities that challenge them, including sensory exploration using shaving foam, paint and treasure baskets. A photograph album and items in the learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 environment offer children with opportunities to revisit and talk about past experiences such as the time they played out in the snow, sitting on the bottom step pretending to ride on the bus and talking about when they made a drum together. The setting is well organised and responsive to children's individual needs and offers a good range of self selection opportunities including jigsaws, books, dressing up clothes, role play and mark making resources. The childminder listens and responds to children sensitively, enabling them to make good progress in all areas of learning. Children are encouraged to help with hanging out the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

washing and enjoy counting the pegs, matching colours and exploring mathematical vocabulary such as 'more than'. Helping to fold the clean washing gives children a real sense of achievement as they proudly state "I can fold these up all by myself". Daily outdoor play opportunities in the enclosed garden and trips to the soft play centre develop children's movement, mobility and understanding of the importance of physical activity. Awareness of people, plants, objects and animals in the local environment is developed as children dig in the garden, visit a neighbour to borrow some compost and watch the ducks that fly overhead.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are supported to make choices, assess risks, discover boundaries and keep themselves safe appropriate to their own stage of development. They learn about fire safety, they know the procedures for evacuation in an emergency and the childminder regularly practises this with them. Frequent walks in the local area offer opportunities to talk about and reinforce road safety and safety in relation to animals and other adults. The childminder promotes the importance of eating fresh fruit and vegetables and involves children in going to the supermarket to buy different colour fruits in order to make a fruit salad for tea. A good range of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks are provided for children and they can independently access drinks in their own individual cup throughout the day. Mealtimes are a social occasion for children and they enjoy sitting together and engaging in open conversation with each other and the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The settings ethos, policies and practices include all learners and meet their individual needs ensuring every child is included and children learn to value diversity in others. Behaviour is managed effectively and in a manner appropriate for individual stages of development and particular needs. Children are positively encouraged to take turns using the dustpan and brush to sweep up and say please and thank you as they help to put new plants in pots in the garden. 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? 2 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? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 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: 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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