Childminder in Kirklees

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 EY217578 Inspection date 02/06/2009 Inspector Carole, Jean Craven

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged 16 years and eight years in the village of Farnley Tyas, Huddersfield. There is a play park and schools locally, and the travelling library visits weekly. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, this includes a play room, lounge, toilet and dining kitchen. There is a secure garden to the rear of the property. The family have two pet cats and a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe, stimulating and inclusive environment where they are respected and valued as individuals and their needs are met. They are happy, settled and confident in their surroundings and enjoy learning about the world around them. They make good progress because the childminder skilfully observes what they can do and plans a range of experiences around their interests. Good information is shared with parents and carers ensuring consistency of care. The childminder has begun to put systems in place for evaluating her practice as well as identifying her strengths and areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that children's work in their records of achievement is dated to show progress

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provision

The childminder has a very positive attitude to her professional development through ongoing training and has begun to self-evaluate her provision. She is planning to improve her knowledge of child development by applying to do her NVQ level 3 in Early Years and Childcare and has applied for a computer, under a local authority scheme, to improve the way she shares information with parents and carers. Children's records of achievement are well kept and include photographs, artwork and evaluative observations which identify children's next steps in learning. However, children's work is not always dated so it is difficult to assess progress. Individual planning is done after discussion with parents and grandparents and is related to children's interests. The childminder knows the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children well and recognises their individuality and strengths.

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provision

Parents are given good information about all areas of the childminding service including their children's records of achievement and daily information sheets. Good information, such as planning, menus, policies and procedures are readily available to parents and the childminder maintains good relationships with them by making time for discussion every day. She has a good relationship with the local school and retains links with other childminders in a nearby village.

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provision

The childminder understands her responsibility under the Children Act to keep children safe and keeps up-to-date with training and local authority procedures. She has very comprehensive and well thought out risk assessments in place which include managing children's behaviour whilst driving, and checking petrol and tyres before going on a journey. Resources, toys and equipment are all in good, clean condition and of very high quality.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals and their welfare is well provided for. They are given one to one support in their learning and development and the childminder provides a rich and varied environment that effectively contributes to their learning. They have lots of space and move freely between the playroom and the garden, where they make choices about their play and initiate their own learning. They are aware where each resource is stored and are able to choose from open shelves and see through toy boxes. They experience a good sense of belonging through the warm and welcoming environment where their artwork, pictures and posters are displayed in the play room. They are happy, settled and very involved in their play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans her routine to ensure that children have lots of experiences of purposeful play and exploration. She spends a great deal of time extending their language skills and critical thinking. For example, she reminds them of words such as 'croissant' and 'breadstick' in their play; and they listen to the sounds of birds in the nearby trees, and aeroplanes going overhead and speculate about where they may be going. A two year old remarks that a device to scare moles in the garden 'sounds like a telephone' but that it looks 'like a microphone'. They are learning about the world around them and spend time watching an iridescent beetle that has landed on the laundry 'it's very green' remarks one of the children. They have planted vegetable seeds which are now flourishing in the garden and they are beginning to understand the concept of growing food. They pour sand into the water tray and watch as the water is soaked up and look for signs of fossils in

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

pebbles collected from the seaside. Children have daily opportunities for outdoor play. In good weather they can access the outdoor area as they choose and they can rest or sleep as they need. They go on regular walks in the local countryside and on visits to local places of interest, such as a children's farm and the mobile library, to extend their experiences of the environment and socialisation. Children learn about problem solving, reasoning and numeracy in their day-to-day practice. This is promoted through matching and counting games and encouragement to understand the difference between actions such as 'push' and 'pull'. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Interaction between the childminder and the children is very good. They have lots of eye contact and conversation and the childminder spends time playing with them on the floor and at their level. Children are encouraged and praised for

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

reaching milestones, such as washing their own hands and sitting nicely at the table. This gives them a feeling of self-worth.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe, clean environment where they learn to take care of themselves and understand basic road safety. The childminder provides a very healthy range of freshly prepared and home cooked meals and snacks. The children sit at the table to eat and talk about what they have been doing and the childminder uses this time to encourage social skills and language development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are well behaved and learn about what is acceptable behaviour through effective strategies such as basic house rules. They play well together and learn to negotiate and share and help to tidy up. They are very happy and content in the childminder's care. 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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