Macintyre Julie

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 EY319261 Inspection date 24/06/2009 Inspector Jane Elizabeth O'Callaghan

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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 was registered in 2006.She lives with her husband and three children aged 11, 8 and 6 years on the outskirts of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor of the childminders house, are used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time and is currently providing care for eight children in the early years age group and one in the compulsory childcare group. When working with another registered childminder may care for a maximum of eight children under eight years at any one time.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects and takes children to local schools, visits parks and local places of interest. She has 2 tortoises as family pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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. Children thrive in the well-organised stimulating environment. Their learning and development are well promoted by the childminder. Their individual needs are catered for as the childminder supports each child with developing their skills, which promotes inclusive practice as all children are able to participate at their own level. There are effective partnerships with parents and other agencies are in the process of being developed. Policies and procedures are implemented, however some require updating to meet new legislation. The childminder is aware of evaluating her practice, however, there is no evidence of how this is achieved. The childminder has made good progress since the last inspection and has addressed all previous recommendations.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to obtain information from parents about children's starting points, capabilities and develop planning, observation and assessment to promote children's learning across all areas  review policies and procedures to reflect changes to new legislation  introduce a self-evaluation system to monitor the provision and identify key strengths and areas for improvement This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The children benefit from interesting organised outings, such as visits to the local play groups, libraries, farms and local parks. All outings are fully risk assessed by the childminder, who fully understands the importance of keeping children safe from harm. The childminder carries out daily safety checks of her home, which ensures children, are cared for in a safe environment. The childminder completes a risk assessment which ensures she is fully aware of any risks to the children. She also carries out regular fire drills; this further enhances the safety of the children, whilst in the care of the childminder. The childminder ensures the children are safeguarded by ensuring all adults who come in contact with children are suitable. She understands her role in safeguarding children and is aware of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about children's welfare. As a result, children are being cared for in a home where they are safe from harm.

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provision

Good quality information is shared with parents regarding the childminder's service and children's care, learning and development. However, profiles, including children's starting points and next steps are not fully implemented. Daily discussions at either end of the day ensure that all relevant information is passed on. This ensures they are kept informed about the progress their children are making. All parents have access to the childminder’s policies and procedures and they have an opportunity to take these home with them. However, some policies require amending to reflect changes to new legislation. The childminder has attempted to establish links with other settings that children attend, in order to start working together to promote children's development.

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provision

The childminder has started to consider areas for improvement, although at present there are no clear systems for self evaluation in place. Since the last inspection, the childminder has taken steps to meet the recommendations set. For example, the fire drills are practiced and recorded and a complaint policy and procedure is fully implemented. This ensures the safety of the children around the home and parents receiving correct information.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children can independently access a good range of resources, which aids their acquisition of independence skills. The childminder interacts effectively with children, asking questions and engaging them in conversation to support and promote their language and communication skills. For example, children are keen to help the childminder to feed and take out of the cage the pet tortoises and are explained to that they cannot come out until they are warmer. Children's understanding of shape and colour are promoted through everyday situations, such as colouring around drawings of fish and making snails out of play dough, as the child explains 'the snail is round'. All resources available to the children are suitable for their age range and their ability and they are rotated regularly. As a result children do not get bored with the resources she has available.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children receive daily physical play in a well resourced outdoor area, where they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 take turns to play on a trampoline, play in the paddling pool with plastic balls and ride on bicycles. Children also have opportunities to learn about the wider world, through visit to local places of interest and also by planting seeds in the garden and watching them grow and bringing vegetables from home to share with the other children at meal times. Children learn about people with disabilities through the childminder's well thought out resources. The children also have access to resources that reflect diversity in all areas. For example, children celebrate Chinese New Year, Easter and other festivals. They also access small world, books and jigsaws that reflect all areas of diversity. The children access a good selection of books independently and are keen to read

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the stories and also to sit with the childminder whilst lunch is prepared and have stories that they have chosen read to them. Children play and share the wide selection of musical instruments available and older children show younger ones how to make noises with some of the instruments.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children behave well and respond to the calm nature of the childminder. The childminder ensures she praises the children for their good work and, as a result, children respond well to the her. The childminder ensures she explains to the children, at an age appropriate level, the differences between right and wrong. Through all these good experiences and activities, children develop skills which aids their ability to share when in social settings. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene practice, fresh air and a healthy diet to stay fit and well. They enjoy choosing what sandwiches they would like and having a picnic outside in the garden. Children have disposable towels and are made aware of good hand washing procedures, with notices to remind them and the childminder explaining to them why they wash hands. All of this ensures children are aware of good hygiene procedures and that cross infection is

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

minimised. 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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