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 319965 Inspection date 15/06/2009 Inspector Melissa Louise Patel

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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 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and 12 years. They live in a semi-detached house in the Headingley area of Leeds. The childminder is registered to care for five children on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She is also registered to care for children on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for four children under eight years and one child over eight years on a part time basis. Local amenities consist of shops, a park and a farm, all within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is access to the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder has contacts with other early years provisions.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder promotes the Early Years Foundation Stage effectively, helping children stay safe and be included. Children progress well with their learning whilst enjoying varied experiences indoors and outdoors. Partnership working with parents works well supporting children's learning, and clear links with other early years provision compliments children's overall welfare. Clear steps are taken by the childminder to ensure evaluations of the provision promote positive improvements to children's welfare and learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 organise the environment to extend children's understanding that words have meaning, and develop the information available to further clarify that all aspects of children's learning included under the six areas of learning are covered.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the record of risk assessment stating the date of review (Documentation). 30/06/2009

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provision

The childminder's home is organised well overall to help children investigate the environment and stay secure. Children explore activities indoors and outdoors enjoying themselves whilst learning. Policies and procedures are used effectively to keep children safeguarded. For example, risk assessments identify areas that are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to be regularly checked. However, the date of review has not been recorded, which is a requirement. Effective management of fire safety procedures ensures children are starting to learn about how to keep themselves safe. Systems to support children's learning are effective overall.

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provision

There is no formal written self-assessment of the provision. However, the childminder evaluates her provision well to promote improvements for children. For example, through recognising the importance of completing training, such as National Vocational training level 3, and attending training on the Early Years Foundation Stage, the childminder promotes improvements to support children's learning and welfare. The childminder involves parents well in their child's development, ascertaining their views on the care being provided and through discussing their child's learning progress. Parents also have access to their child's development records. Information is provided so that parents can be involved in their children's learning at home, supporting children's developmental progress and inclusive practice. Partnership working in the wider context helps children's development through using information obtained to support their welfare and

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provision

compliment their learning progress. In addition, the parents have access to a detailed set of policies regarding how the setting operates.

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provision

Since the last inspection the childminder has also made further improvements to her provision by developing the activities available to help children learn about diversity through celebrating more varied cultural festivals. Systems to support children's health have been reviewed to ensure children wash their hands more regularly, and medication procedures have been updated. These improvements support the children's overall welfare effectively.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have a variety of opportunities to help them develop well across the areas of learning because the childminder observes children at play and plans activities that are appropriate for individuals to help them progress further. For example, further activities are planned for children who enjoy physical activities outdoors and a visit to a farm instigates an activity to find out more about animals. Children who manage puzzles well are presented with challenges by being offered more advanced puzzles to try. Although, information available is good overall to support children's learning progress, some detail regarding all the aspects included within the six areas of learning lacks clarity at times as it is not all recorded.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder supports children effectively whilst at play. For example, as they start to line up toy shapes they are encouraged to count, sort and name colours developing their problem solving and numeric skills. Children are helped to extend their language skills well through activities, by extending their use of words, such as zigzag, going round in a circle and discussing the long piece of string. Children make choices about what they wish to do, such as playing outdoors and they freely select resources indoors developing their independence. Children are helped to enjoy activities that keep them healthy. For example, the childminder encourages regular outdoor play in an environment that ensures children benefit from a variety of learning experiences, whilst being happily engaged exploring. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children develop physical skills as they push and pull equipment and balance on

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the stilts. They mark-make using chalks and develop their imagination as they are involved in an activity sharing toy pots, pans and food. Good communication with parents helps the childminder plan and support children in their overall development, and there are clear links in place with the local nursery to support children by ascertaining and using information to compliment the children's learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The environment indoors supports children's learning well overall. For example, children learn how to operate simple toys that have buttons and that twist and turn. They thread different shapes on to a string developing fine motor skills. Children are starting to learn that words have meaning from some print around the room and from access to books, listening to stories and other activities. However, print around the room is not organised to the full potential to extend children's understanding that words have meaning. Resources to support diversity portray positive images of children, through dual language books and other equipment, such as a toy wheelchair, helping children learn and value differences in society. Children are also learning effectively about the wider world and communities on outings in the local community and they celebrate festivals, such as the Chinese New Year. They make an American flag to mark the importance of the new

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to eat healthy foods, such as banana and raisons for snack and the written menu available depicts a variety of healthy foods, such as pasta, chicken and jacket potatoes with tuna and cheese. Drinking water is readily available. Children behave positively encouraged by praise and reassurance. They develop a good understanding of hygiene through regular hand washing and discussion about what they are doing. Children stay safe effectively through discussion during activities linked to outdoors. For example, children explain when asked that a red traffic light means stop and that they learn how to cross roads safely. Children also frequently practise the fire evacuation procedure. 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

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