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 320160 Inspection date 11/05/2009 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 1996. She lives with her husband and sons aged 20 years and 13 years old on the outskirts of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor of the childminders house, downstairs bathroom 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 six children under eight years at any one time and is currently providing care for six children in the early years age group and four in the compulsory childcare group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects and takes children to local schools, visits parks and childcare groups. She has parrot as family pet.

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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. The childminder provides a warm, caring and welcoming environment for children and their families. Her sound knowledge and understanding of the children in her care ensures that children's individual needs are met and their welfare and learning promoted. A selection of written policies are available to support child care practice, however, some records need amending in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. The childminder is beginning to reflect on her practice but formal self-evaluation systems are not yet fully in place. Therefore gaps in some of the areas of learning are not identified along with planning and detailed profiles.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure policies reflect the new legislation  develop procedures for ensuring fire safety, such as through regular practicing of emergency evacuation and raising children's awareness  obtain more detailed information from parents about children's starting points and capabilities and ensure that profiles are accessible to parents and develop planning, observation and assessment to promote children's learning across all areas.

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provision

The childminder provides a safe and secure environment and children become aware of their own safety in most areas. For example, children are fully involved in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning about road safety. However, fire drills are not frequently practiced to ensure that all children attending the childminders are fully aware of fire evacuation procedures. Comprehensive risk assessments have been established to ensure children are cared for in a hygienic and safe environment. The childminder has completed risk assessments for all of the outings she engages in and also does these for each individual child. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures. However, the written policy does not fully reflect the new legislation. The childminder keeps all records and contracts up to date and these are all kept in a

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provision

confidential manner and out of reach of all children

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provision

Children are very happy and confident within the homely environment. This is effectively supported by the very good relationships established between the childminder and children's parents. The childminder values each child's uniqueness and ensures she is fully aware of routines and changes that may affect the children in her care. Parents receive good verbal and written information about the childminding service and are informed of their children's daily activities. However, information obtained from parents regarding children's starting points and capabilities and the accessibility of the profiles for parents are limited. The parents speak well of the care that their children receive through written references received by the childminder.

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provision

At present, self-evaluation is in its infancy and is not an integral part of the childminding practice. The childminder is aware of her strengths, for example the good interaction with the children, and is beginning to reflect on how she could improve her practice. For example, she acknowledges that, although she knows her children well, she does not have an effective assessment system in place to monitor next steps in children's learning, recording of observations and planning as this is in the early stages of being developed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy their time with the childminder. There is a good range of easily accessible and well-maintained toys to promote purposeful play. The learning environment is organised well to meet the needs of the children. Children have free access to the outdoor area, where a good range of toys and activities are freely available. For example, children paint the outside floors and walls using paint brushes and water. The childminder ensures that children also experience the local community through trips to local farms, childcare groups and parks, where the older children can play with the balls in the wide open spaces.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has lots of photographic evidence of children taking part in various activities. For example, children of all ages dressing up, celebrating different festivals, birthdays, visiting the local greengrocer and doing lots of creative activities. All photographs are shared with parents and also displayed in an album for the children to access.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder organises her time to give children individual attention so that each child feels special and valued. She provides good support to children as they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 play, making acceptable use of incidental opportunities to consolidate their knowledge of colours, shapes and counting and talking to the children to develop their speech. For example, children show a keen interest in books and concentrate well as they look at books with the childminder and follow the story. The childminder asks open-ended questions to make them think and introduces new words to extend their vocabulary. For example, younger children recognise various toy animals, and the childminder helps them to compare dinosaurs with crocodiles, explaining that they both have 'bumpy like skin'. Children are encouraged to count and recognise shapes as they complete a good

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

selection of jigsaws, which are suitable for all ages. Younger children pretend to iron the dolls clothes with the toy iron and sing along with the small battery operated microphone and are able to operate this independently. Older children can access a wide selection of games consoles on their return from school and during the holidays.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

They enjoy good health as they learn about healthy living, enjoy being active and are developing a positive attitude towards healthy eating. Although parents provide meals, the childminder has implemented clear systems to encourage children to eat a balanced diet. For example, they are given opportunities to independently choose from a variety of nutritious snacks and fresh fruit is provided for them daily. At meal times children of all ages engage with the childminder and chatter happily together, respecting and valuing what others are saying, making meal and snack times a sociable event. Younger children are given drinks of sugar free juice throughout the day and older children are encouraged to help themselves to drinks. Children's behaviour is monitored well by the childminder and they are encouraged to be well behaved, to take turns and share as they play. When necessary the childminder intervenes in minor disputes in a calm and fair manner.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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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