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 321887 Inspection date 06/07/2009 Inspector Lindsay Helen Dobson

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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 May 1999. She lives with her husband who is also a registered assistant and three children aged 15, 10 and seven years. Their house is in Airedale and is situated within walking distance of local schools, shops and parks. Some of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding and rooms used are a lounge and dining room. The bathroom on the first floor is used by children. Children can play outside in the childminder's driveway.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of five children under eight years and when working with an assistant five children may be in the early years age range. There are currently 19 children on roll of which 11 are in the early years age range. All children attend on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The family have three dogs and a hamster. The childminder attends the local carer 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 satisfactory. The childminder is developing her understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She is aware of promoting children's safety, although there is no record of risk assessment in place to ensure all hazards are minimised to children. The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of safeguarding and promoting children's welfare, however, hygiene within some areas of the home does not support children's health and well being. Sound partnerships with parents and other settings are in place to assist continuity of care for children. The childminder is aware of the need to reflect on her practice but there are no effective systems in place for self-evaluation. Therefore, gaps in aspects of the welfare and learning and development requirements have not been identified.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the systems for observing and assessing children to include children under three years and clearly identify all children's next steps in learning  ensure Ofsted contact details are always freely available to parents  develop a process of reflective practice and self evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children  ensure younger children are given full opportunity to engage in self selected, challenging play This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure a record of risk assessment is in place which clearly states when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation)(also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 20/07/2009  promote the good health of children by ensuring they are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment, with particular regard to food preparation areas and toilet facilities (Promoting good health)(also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 13/07/2009

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provision

The childminder has some of the necessary records, policies and procedures in place to support her childminding practice. However, she is not yet carrying out any formal risk assessments of the home, outdoor play area or outings undertaken with children and Ofsted contact details are not freely available to parents at all times. Such factors inhibit the childminder in fully protecting the welfare of children. The premises are kept secure as outer doors are locked and the driveway is gated. Areas of play are arranged so that the children have sufficient room to move around freely and play safely. The childminder encourages some basic hygiene routines with the children for example, hand washing before snack. However, food preparation areas and toilet facilities are not hygienically clean and the stairs and landing are affected by hair from the childminder's dogs.

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provision

Since the last inspection, the childminder has met the recommendations raised, such as improving the storage of resources and developing her policies and procedures. She continues to undertake training and is attempting to keep up to date with changes in childcare practice. However, the childminder has not yet implemented a system of self-evaluation to ensure all requirements are met and continuous improvement is successfully promoted.

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provision

The children benefit from the sound partnerships between the childminder and their parents. There is a suitable two-way exchange of information between them and parents are kept informed about most aspects of their child’s care and learning. The childminder displays pertinent information on a notice board, for example, the registration, training and insurance certificates, along with information about the EYFS. Developing and interesting photograph albums of the children at play are readily available for parents to look at.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children have a relaxed and friendly relationship with the childminder and younger children snuggle against her to seek support and comfort. They learn to communicate effectively with others because she interacts appropriately with them This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 talking to them as they play. She understands how to support their learning and asks questions that encourage them to think and talk about what they are doing and solve problems. For example, she enquires about the colours and numbers on the pictures in the book they are looking at and they discuss the initial letter sounds of words. Children comment 'd' is for dog.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder observes some of the children as they play to assess what they are achieving and she records their progress. However, the childminder is not currently observing and assessing the development of children under three years or identifying the next steps in learning for all children. The childminder makes children's profiles available to parents should they want to see them. The childminder discusses how she has had previous links with the local pre-school and nursery to ensure continuity of care and development for the children. There is a busy weekly programme of outings to farms, soft play areas and parks in addition to times when the children are cared for in the childminder’s home. Although at times the children enjoy what they do and concentrate well on activities, for example, when matching pictures and words on cards, younger children are not always provided with opportunities to engage in self selected challenging play and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

they spend their time sitting on the childminder's knee.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to consider the needs of others and to play cooperatively together by sharing toys fairly. Behaviour is good and children are suitably supported by the childminder. Through discussions with the childminder, children are encouraged to learn how to keep themselves safe and healthy. She explains that they practice emergency evacuation from the home and learn about road safety and stranger danger on outings. The childminder promotes all aspects of diversity with the children through a suitable range of resources and planned activities, which include cultural days and outings. For example, children enjoy a visit to a museum where they join in with activities which increase their understanding of disabilities. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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) 20/07/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR13) 13/07/2009

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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) 20/07/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR13) 13/07/2009

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