Childminder in LeedsOfsted inspection, 29 Apr 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 319669 Inspection date 29/04/2009 Inspector Liz Whitehead

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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 has been registered since 1983 and works with an assistant. She lives with her husband in Morley, a suburb of Leeds. The ground floor and first floor bathroom and one bedroom of the property are used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder takes and collects children from school and attends local groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care for children on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and nine children when working with an assistant. There are currently 10 children on roll, eight of whom are under eight years with seven of these in the early years age group. The childminder holds a Level 3 in Childminding Practice, the NNEB and an NVQ Level 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Most of the required training is in place and the childminder is beginning to evaluate her practice, although this does not always highlight gaps in the provision. Children make a positive contribution to the setting due to the warm relationships they share with the childminder and assistant, who recognise their uniqueness and value them as individuals. Effective partnership with parents promotes children's care and well-being, therefore, they make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder is developing links with other providers to ease children's transition into school life.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop links with other providers to promote the integration of care and education for children attending other settings.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure there is at least one person who has a current paediatric first aid certificate on the premises and on outings at all times when children are present (Qualifications, training, knowledge and skills) 13/05/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The children are cared for in a child-orientated, warm and welcoming environment. They are happy and settled and benefit from excellent interaction with both the childminder and assistant which significantly enhances their care and learning. They state that being with the childminder is their favourite thing about the setting. A wide range of consistently implemented policies and procedures contribute towards promoting children's health and safety. However, the childminder does not ensure there is always a person present who holds a valid first aid certificate. This is a breach of regulations.

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provision

The childminder works successfully in partnership with parents, who are extremely happy with the service they receive and would definitely recommend her as a carer. They particularly like the children's daily diaries which include activities enjoyed that day, in addition to information regarding their daily care. The childminder keeps parents fully informed through daily discussions, children's individual files being readily available to view, and a wide range of information in files and displayed on the walls. All children benefit from regular communication with other providers and services. For example, visiting local groups and discussions with the children's teachers at school and nursery and the childminder is seeking ways of further developing these links.

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provision

Children are suitably protected as the childminder carries out regular risk assessments in the home, garden and for outings. Additionally, she has a sound awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and the procedure for reporting concerns regarding children in her care. The childminder updates her knowledge and skills through regularly accessing relevant training. She knows the children well and meets their individual needs exceptionally well through them sleeping and eating according to their own routines. The childminder is beginning to evaluate her practice and is proactive in seeking the children's and parents' views, through discussions and questionnaires.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are developing a sound awareness of keeping themselves healthy and safe. For example, they know that fruit is good for them and that doughnuts are not so good. They are very familiar with hand washing routines and happily use wet wipes, hand cleansing gel and disposable towels to prevent cross infection. They spontaneously remove their shoes when entering the house to keep the floor coverings clean and appropriate to play on. Children are familiar with safety and know that they need to wear wrist bands with the childminder's details on to keep them safe on outings. Additionally, the childminder encourages the older children to memorise her telephone number to ensure they can contact her at all times. To enhance children's understanding of the emergency evacuation procedure the childminder activates the alarm at various times of the day, including whilst children are eating their lunch.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children receive an equal chance to access the activities. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 recognises their individual skills and abilities and offers additional support accordingly. For example, when playing with the play dough, the childminder and assistant help the younger children to 'make worms' whilst the older children are able to complete this unaided. Children behave well and follow the clear and consistent boundaries set by the childminder and assistant. They are encouraged to share the toys and to take turns. The childminder carries out regular observations to effectively monitor children's progress towards the early learning goals. These detail what children can do and are used to inform the planning for the next steps in individual children's learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have many opportunities to express themselves creatively and enjoy making up stories and playing with puppets with the assistant whilst some children have a good time playing with the play dough with the childminder. Children spontaneously and happily sing to themselves as they chalk on the board and ride tricycles. They really enjoy daily singing and story times and join in enthusiastically with the words and actions. They proudly point out the flags in the sandcastles showing which they made. The childminder is fully aware of the importance of valuing children's work and thoughtfully displays it on the walls and in their individual photograph albums, which gives them pride in their achievements.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children confidently initiate conversations and are keen to share their knowledge. They spontaneously describe the grapes as juicy, and excitedly show the peas they are growing, and know their tadpoles will turn into frogs. Children talk about caterpillars becoming butterflies and know that the sun causes shadows. They have many opportunities to practise emerging writing skills and enjoy writing their name on the pathway with chalk. The childminder actively develops children's awareness of calculating skills as they sing number songs and they discuss how many are left. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR8) 13/05/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR8) 13/05/2009

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