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 321821 Inspection date 24/02/2009 Inspector Dawn Lumb

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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 has been registered since 2000. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under the age of eight years. She currently cares for seven children on the Early Years Register. She is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and three children in Castleford, West Yorkshire. The house is within walking distance of local amenities, such as schools, the library, shops and parks. The lounge/dining room and kitchen are used for childminding and the front room for sleeping babies. There is a fully enclosed yard area for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes children to and from school as well as to playgroups and places of interest. The family have a pet dog and budgerigar. The childminder is a member of the Wakefield Childminding Association and holds an N.V.Q. Level 3 in Childcare and Education.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides a warm, caring and welcoming environment for children and their families. She has a very good knowledge of the children in her care, planning activities that interest and appropriately challenge them. She builds on what they know to introduce new experiences into their daily routine to ensure they make very good progress. Children's individual needs are well supported as the childminder uses an array of documentation and communication to identify the uniqueness of the child and to plan accordingly. The childminder is proactive in reflecting upon her practice, she has made an enthusiastic start in the use of formal self-evaluation systems. Secure links with parents and developing links with schools help to maintain continuity of childcare.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to lead and encourage a culture of reflective practice, self- evaluation and informed discussion to identify strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of the provision for all children  continue to develop working together with parents and other practitioners to support transition, both between settings and school. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

All documentation, including a wide range of detailed and well written policies and procedures effectively promote children's health, safety and welfare and ensure children's individual needs are met. She has reviewed a comprehensive range of policies, procedures and documentation to support her working practice, which fully reflects changes and current legislation. She ensures children's safety through completing a written risk assessment, which cover all areas of her provision as well as actions to manage or eliminate risks. The childminder has a secure understanding of her role and responsibilities in keeping children safeguarded. She monitors her provision through the completion of a self-evaluation form. She is committed to the provision of quality care and education through accessing training. She has taken positive action to address recommendations made at the last inspection, which has helped to further promote children's health and safety.

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provision

Parents receive good information about the childminder's provision and their child's care, learning and development. The childminder already has children's personal files in place, which include pictures of the children enjoying themselves in various activities and descriptive observations. They also have access to the recently introduced individual progress records that reflect the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. These provide parents with further information about their child's development and achievements. The childminder works exceptionally well with parents to ensure children's individual needs are effectively met. Detailed records ensure the childminder is aware of and can effectively support children's dietary requirements, allergies or additional needs. They are asked to complete an 'All about me' document which enables the childminder to find out about children's starting points and interests. Parent and child questionnaires help to further

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provision

evaluate the childminder's service and provision. The childminder has strong links with other providers which promote well the integration of care and education. She has links with other childminders as part of a support network.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

High priority is given to planning a varied and excellent range of interesting activities and opportunities both indoors and outdoors that link clearly to the Early Learning Goals and Every Child Matters Outcomes. There are effective systems in place to record and monitor children's learning and development. The childminder uses written observations which are being developed to link into the Early Years Foundation Stage to identify the next steps in children's learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder constantly promotes children's learning with purposeful activities and everyday routines to continually develop children's skills. She skilfully reinforces and revisits children's learning to positively support children in their ability to know, understand and to do. The children relish each other's company and play together very well. They are motivated and encouraged to be involved by the childminder's praise and encouragement of their efforts.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are given good opportunities to make choice. For example, they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 independently choose from a varied selection of resources. They learn very well about growth and development. For example, they grow and tend to plants, visit the allotments, farms and woods. Children learn to improvise and develop their imaginary skills through using cardboard boxes in their play. Their sense of belonging, self-esteem and confidence is well promoted. For example, through celebrating their efforts and displaying their art work, such as snow pictures. They learn new vocabulary and to describe what they see through well planned activities, using a variety of objects. The childminder revisits storytelling with regards to the gingerbread man and talks about crossing the river, children talk about getting soggy and breaking. Through such activities they make connections

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and describe, what will happen and an understanding of cause and effect. Children learn shape and colour recognition when involved in activities, such as completing jigsaws.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe is well promoted through the following of house rules, appropriate discussion and simple explanations. The involvement of parents and other practitioners in promoting children's progress has a positive impact on children's learning and development. Children are provided with an inclusive and welcoming environment. She provides a child-friendly environment where space, resources and equipment are effectively deployed to promote learning and accessibility for all children. 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? 1 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 registration.

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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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