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 EY243057 Inspection date 11/02/2009 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 2003. She lives with her husband and children aged six and one in the Cookridge area of Leeds, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor and the converted garage of the childminder’s home are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The care is shared with a co-childminder.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time when minding on her own and nine children when working with her co- childminder. They are currently caring for three children between them. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Both childminders have joint responsibility for the childminding practice.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks as well as drives to the local schools to take and collect children and attends the local childminding groups. 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 play in a happy, welcoming environment, which the childminder and her co-worker successfully ensure is safe and secure. The individual welfare and developmental needs of each child are well met. The extremely positive links with parents and other local provisions help ensure that all children make very good progress towards the early learning goals given their individual starting points. First class systems are in place to cater for the specific needs of children and their families who are bi-lingual, sign or come from a different culture. The childminder and her co-childminder have an effective system for evaluating their provision and steps to improve their practice are clearly focussed to benefit the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop risk assessments to indicate when the environment and activities would be reappraised.

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provision

All required documentation is in place, stored confidentially and accurately maintained. Children are safe, secure and play mainly in the bright, purposely converted playroom in the childminder's home. All possible hazards are checked daily and a record is maintained. A full risk assessment for each type of outing and other areas of the setting that the children come into contact with takes place and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 is regularly reviewed. However, the childminder does not demonstrate when else this would be reappraised in order to make necessary adjustments to secure the children's safety at all times. The childminder is aware of the need to report child protection concerns in line with local safeguarding procedures and parents are made aware of her responsibilities. She works extremely closely and cooperatively with parents and other local provisions, to ensure an effective, regular two-way

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provision

flow of information. The childminder gathers detailed information about children's care needs and stage of development on entry and during their time with her. This successfully ensures that each child is valued for who they are, differences are appreciated and any additional needs quickly recognised and addressed. It also allows the childminder to successfully plan her activities so that everyone included and understood, whatever their personalities, abilities, ethnic background or culture. The childminder signs and this is particularly appreciated by families and children in supporting their communication skills.

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provision

The childminder has effective methods to monitor whether the activities she provides and her provision benefits the children in her care. She has taken positive action to tackle the weakness in the heating of the playroom, which was identified at the last inspection. The childminder actively involves parents and her co-worker in the process by regularly discussing with them, for instance, how children have responded to activities and what their future plans are in order to build on the each child's skills. Consequently, children enjoy learning and are making good progress in all areas because activities are closely matched to their individual stages of development and interests.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of children’s individual needs and interests because she makes regular, evaluative observations of what children know and can do during activities. Both the childminder and her co-childminder undertake observations and parents are excellently included in the children's learning and development so that there is a good overview of the child's development. Planning is fully based around children's achievable next stages in their development so consequently, children make good progress in their learning. Children benefit from the childminder's good awareness of how to encourage their participation and development by using effective questioning techniques. For example, she asks them about the pictures they see as they look at the book they have chosen and young children readily make the appropriate animal noises. The very good verbal communication between children and the childminder supports

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

their speech and language development well. Young children are beginning to express themselves well and the childminder uses sign language to support their communication skills, especially for those who have English as an additional language. Children play and learn with excellent resources that acknowledge diversity and this fully supports them in embracing differences in gender, ethnicity, language, religion, cultures and abilities. For instance, a welcome poster shows children and families from a variety of cultures saying ‘Welcome’ in different languages and, together with small world toys, for instance, is used to promote age appropriate discussion. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder plans activities well to ensure children enjoy a balanced day with plenty of stimulating activities that cover all areas of development. Resources are

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

well displayed around the room and encourage children's independence and confidence as they choose what to play with. Children enjoy outings, well supervised by the childminder and her co-worker and make regular visits to the local toddler groups. This helps to promote young children's social development whilst playing with larger groups of children and helps them learn about the local environment. Children enjoy craft activities and many items around the playroom, including resources and their artwork, are labelled. This helps children understand that print carries meaning. Older children are well supported in developing their emerging skill at forming letters, which is a continuation of their learning from other provisions. Younger children are beginning to play imaginatively and cuddle a doll when it has fallen, demonstrating that they are beginning to understand about showing care and concern.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Procedures to prevent cross infection are excellent and children are very well supported through clear explanations and posters to learn about how to manage their own hygiene. Children learn to enjoy the healthy nutritious meals which are provided using mainly fresh ingredients. They know when there are thirsty and have independent, easy access to their own drinks cups. The childminder encourages children to be aware of their own health and safety. Well targeted plans to develop children's understandings of a healthy lifestyle include their participation in a completing a healthy eating chart. Children's behaviour is managed in a calm and consistent way and house rules, which include pictures as well as words on the poster, support children's understanding of behaving and playing safely. 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? 1 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? 1 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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