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 EY300590 Inspection date 04/06/2009 Inspector Janet Skippins

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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 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 2005. She is registered on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her partner, adult child and one child aged five in Cowlersley, Huddersfield. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with toilet and nursery facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a pet cat. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently minding five children in the early years age range. The setting is open from 08.00 to 18.00 on weekdays all year round. Children are able to attend on a full or part time basis. The childminder drives and walks to local schools to take and collect children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has a very good knowledge of each child’s individual needs and she promotes their welfare and learning with success. However, the records to show children’s development are not complete. The childminder works in close partnership with parents and outside agencies, which contributes to ensuring that the needs of children are well met. The system for self evaluation is in development. The childminder demonstrates her positive commitment to continual improvement by attending relevant training courses.

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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 system for self evaluation  develop the children’s observation and assessment records to show the next steps for learning and to show their progress towards the early learning goals clearly.

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provision

The childminder is beginning to use a formal evaluation system which helps her reflect on her own practice. This results in a service that is responsive to the needs of families. She has attended training to find out about the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has put this into practice by making written observation and assessment records of the children's activity. However, these do not show the next steps for children’s learning. Also, although the records help the childminder to recognise that the children are making good progress towards the early learning goals in relation to their starting points, a system to summarise the children’s progress is still in development. The childminder has given attention to the recommendations made at the last inspection. She increased resources and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 activities to help children learn about diversity, which has had a positive impact on

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provision

their understanding. She also has developed sensory activities such as encouraging children to touch and smell the fresh herbs which grow in the garden. This has contributed to children’s knowledge and understanding of the world.

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provision

Records, policies and procedures are easily accessible, used appropriately and made available to parents. Information regarding children's welfare, achievements and progress is shared through regular discussion and parents see records of observations of children’s activity with photographs and examples of their work. Parents say that they are highly satisfied with the service the childminder provides. She works well with the minded children’s schools by planning activities which complement school lessons. This results in a good partnership with parents and others, which enables the childminder to meet the needs of the children very well.

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provision

Through keeping her training updated, the childminder has a good knowledge of safeguarding children. She ensures that the welfare and protection of children is her priority. The childminding premises and outdoor area are safe and the childminder maintains written records of risk assessments. Children develop their understanding about the danger of fire when they practise emergency evacuations.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are welcomed at the setting. They receive support and affection, which results in them feeling confident, motivated, healthy, happy and secure. Their independence is promoted well through easy access to a wide range of resources. The childminder uses her good knowledge and understanding of child development to informally plan interesting activities both indoors and out. She treats children with equal concern, respecting their individuality and meeting their needs. The childminder effectively promotes inclusive practice through encouraging the children to take part in activities, which are appropriate to their different needs and abilities. Anti-discriminatory practice is actively promoted so that all children feel valued. They take part in activities to help them learn about the wider world. For example, they play snap using picture cards which show people from different cultural backgrounds. They also access a good range of high quality books on

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

different countries and disability awareness.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about their local area by going on country walks to see animals and visiting parks and museums. They are developing a good knowledge of the importance of physical activity and fresh air when they go on these regular walks. They develop physical skills through jumping on the trampoline, playing ball games and using equipment in the parks. Children learn about the natural world and where food comes from, through daily access to the garden. Here, they look at the fruit growing on the trees and feel and smell the herbs. Young children play imaginatively when they cuddle the dolls and play with cars on the road mat. They receive skilful support from the childminder to extend their play and develop their language. As a result, the children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. Their development is recorded in observation and assessment records. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a very clean, safe, self-contained environment. They learn how to keep themselves safe, indoors and outdoors, and how to identify potential hazards. For example, the childminder teaches the children to go down the steps to the outside area very carefully. Routines, like regular hand washing before eating, are in place to help the children learn about health and hygiene. The childminder has attended first aid training; therefore, she is aware of how to care for children in the event of an accident. They learn about healthy eating through growing, harvesting and eating their own food, and discussion while eating their meals and snacks with the childminder, which also contributes to their understanding. The children make a positive contribution to the running of the setting and develop skills for the future when they recycle their fruit peelings. The school aged children take this a stage further by using books to learn about

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

recycling and taking care of the environment. The minded children behave well, are learning to share and show good manners. The childminder follows her policy on managing behaviour using positive strategies such as praising the children when they behave well. 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? 2

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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

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