Childminder in LeedsOfsted inspection, 20 Jan 2009

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 EY271021 Inspection date 20/01/2009 Inspector Abigail Caroline Cunningham

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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 Whinmoor, Leeds. The childminder has two cats. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 12 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder collects children from a local school and attends a local parent and toddler group on a regular basis. 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. The childminder is working particularly well to ensure all children are included and their individual needs are fully met. The children are kept safe at all times and enjoy learning about their local area and the wider world. They are making good progress, given their age, ability and starting points. Self-evaluation is effective in identifying strengths and weaknesses and the childminder is able to demonstrate how she has worked hard to make improvements to her provision. The childminder has also developed positive links with the children, parents, school and other local childcare providers.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the children's assessment records, so that they clearly link to the six areas of learning and identify the next steps in children's learning.

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provision

The childminder knows the children and their families very well and is fully aware of the children's backgrounds, individual needs and abilities. The parents can easily access their child's development record, as these are displayed on the wall in the living room. Further information is available through a parents' information file, which contains a copy of the childminder's policies and training certificates. Feedback from parents is positive, as numerous thank you cards can be seen within the childminder's file. The childminder has developed close links with the local school and other childcare providers, for example, she attends concerts at the school and reads all the newsletters which are sent home. She also attends a parent and toddler group and a childminder group at the local children's centre.

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provision

The childminder is able to demonstrate how she has made improvements to provision, for example, she has introduced daily dairies for the children, which has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 enhanced how information is shared with parents. The childminder's self- evaluation accurately reflects the strengths and weaknesses of her provision. The action which is taken by the childminder is carefully planned, so that improvements happen where they are most needed. For example, in order to improve the children’s welfare, learning and development outcomes, the childminder has increased her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements through attending training and also reading and understanding related documents. The childminder recently introduced children's assessment records, which include sensitive observational assessment and photographs of the

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provision

children participating in a good range of interesting activities, such as visiting a museum. Future plans include further developing the children's assessment records so that these clearly link to the six areas of learning and identify the next steps in children's learning.

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provision

Comprehensive written policies, procedures and documentation are in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted, for example, the complaint and safeguarding procedure is shared with parents. The childminder has previously completed child protection training and has experience of reporting concerns. She knows the possible signs and symptoms of abuse, the reporting procedure and has local safeguarding contact details readily available. In order to keep up-to-date with safeguarding issues, she reads relevant information, such as the leaflet 'what to do if you are worried the child is being abused'.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's development records clearly show the children's achievements and progress. However, these do not clearly link to the six areas of learning or identify what needs to be included in planning for children's individual next steps in learning. Toys and equipment are on low-shelves and carpeting and plans are versatile and respond to what the children want to do. As a result, the children make choices about what they would like to play with, they independently choose their own activities and are eager to participle fully in activities. For example, a young child has fun pushing cars across the floor making them go fast and slow.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are making good progress in their development and are confidently using new words, for example, young children can say hello, goodbye and thank you in Spanish. The childminder has a good range of good quality books, which are well used and popular with the children. As a result, children are developing a love of books and enjoy listening to their favourite stories, such as 'The Gruffalo'. The children engage in a good range of activities requiring hand–eye coordination, such as using crayons and paints. Young children confidently use one handed tools and equipment and can draw lines and circles using gross motor movement. After school, the older children enjoy relaxing and socialising with the other children, for example, they have fun playing with a broad selection of board games. They are also very creative and like to dress up and participate in many art and craft activities, such as painting and sticking. The children recently enjoyed making

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are beginning to develop a positive attitude to others and a good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding about the wider world and community. This is because the children learn about different celebrations, such as Christmas and Chinese New Year. The children regularly go out for walks in the local and wider community, for example, to the library and farm. They also benefit from having regular opportunities to socialise with children who have disabilities and children who are from different cultural backgrounds. The childminder has a consistent approach to managing children’s behaviour, which is reflected in her behaviour policy. Children are rewarded for their positive behaviour through the use of positive attention, praise and encouragement. As a result, the children are well behaved, for example, young children fully cooperative with familiar routines, such as nappy changing,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

brushing teeth and tidying the toys away.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder takes thorough steps to ensure the children's safety both inside and outside her home and comprehensive written risk assessments are in place and these are regularly reviewed. Fire safety is promoted well, for example, smoke detectors are fitted to each level of the house, a fire blanket is sited in the kitchen and regular fire drills are practised with the 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? 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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