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

p.1

Unique reference number EY304293 Inspection date 16/06/2009 Inspector Ann Webb

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered for four years and she currently has eight children on roll, six of whom are in the early years age range. She is registered on the Early Years, Childcare and Voluntary Childcare registers and works with another registered childminder and assistant. All of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder lives in the Pudsey area of Leeds close to schools, shops and transport services. She lives with her husband, who is an occasional assistant, and two children aged nine and six years. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the provision is good. The childminder and co-childminder professionally manage relationships with parents, who are kept well informed of their children's individual care and learning. The childminder's knowledge of children's individual needs contributes effectively toward their all round welfare, well-being and self- confidence and they make good progress in all areas of learning. Self-evaluation is not sufficiently developed to support the identification of strengths and weaknesses and limited information about the children's starting points delays initial assessments of their progress.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 obtain information from parents about what the children know and can do when they first start to attend  continue to develop systems to self evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the setting.

p.3

provision

The children's safety is given a high priority by the childminder who works closely with her co-childminder to ensure that they present all areas used by the children in a very safe and well maintained manner. Her understanding of how to minimize risks and hazards is well developed and she ensures that all resources, furniture and activities are suitable and safe for the children's use. Written and well documented risk assessments successfully identify all internal and external hazards and actions needed to eliminate and manage risks are effectively highlighted. The children's safety is further promoted through a clear safeguarding children procedure and the childminder's good understanding of how to protect the children in her care.

p.3

provision

The childminders are very well organised and manage their time efficiently ensuing that most records, policies and procedures positively contribute towards the needs This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of the individual children. However, there is limited information about what the children know and can do when they first start to attend. The children benefit from the childminder's commitment to improving the service she offers, for example, through additional training, such as Safeguarding children, food safety, first aid and Early Years Foundation Stage. Her capacity for improvement is clearly demonstrated and since her last inspection the childminder now displays her certificate of registration and has made improvements to the areas used by the children by adding a downstairs toilet and additional play space. The childminder is beginning to reflect on her practice, although this does not fully highlight key

p.3

provision

The childminder and her co-childminder actively develop and foster an effective partnership with parents who provided with good quality information relating to their children's care and education, they regularly view observation records, additionally, they complete accident and medication records with their signatures and are kept fully informed about the outings their children participate in with clear details of all activities.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children's learning and development is well supported as the childminder is confident with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are able to make decisions about their play, select resources independently and follow their own interests. During a water play activity they transport the water from the tray to a flight of steps, they then paint their hands with the water and watch with wonder and surprise as it dries in the sun. The children then begin to paint with brushes and sponges delighted at their efforts.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

During everyday play they have good opportunities to become familiar with numbers and counting. For example, they sing and chant number rhymes, count their toys and see numerals represented on pictures and signs. The childminder recognises when there is an opportunity to reinforce their skills, providing good opportunities for the children to practice what they already know. Relaxed conversations between the children and both childminders support children's emerging language skills and encourage them to talk about their interests. For example, an older child is drawing and is asked about his picture, 'It’s a robot eating waffles and chips' he replies.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

As part of their everyday routines the children develop a good understanding of being healthy and staying safe. They know to wash their hands after toileting and before they eat and enjoy fish pie for their lunch. At snack time they have fruit and talk enthusiastically about which fruits they enjoy. There are good opportunities for the children to enjoy being physically active, for example, being outdoors in the fresh air. They become confident to ride toys, see-saws and to negotiate steps and uneven surfaces. The childminders reinforce their positive behaviour with praise and encouragement and consequently the children behave well and understand what is expected of them.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder observes the children at play and records her observations with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 photographs and written captions to enable her to plan effectively for the next steps in their learning. She shares information about children's progress with parents and is developing links with other providers in order to establish a consistent approach to the children's care and learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.7