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 EY242721 Inspection date 15/06/2009 Inspector Linda Filewood

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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 2002. She lives with her family in Tinshill, a suburb of Leeds, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links and has a daughter aged eight years old. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with access to a toilet and bathroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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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 six 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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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups 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 outstanding. The childminder constantly reflects on the way she works and shows excellent commitment to improving her knowledge and understanding of childcare issues, in order to benefit the children in her care. She promotes all aspects of each child’s welfare with great success, ensuring they are totally safe and secure at all time. Children enjoy playing with the abundant variety of high quality resources. These motivate them to learn and make consistently good progress across all areas. The childminder offers a fully inclusive early years provision which values children's individuality and effectively meets the children's and their family's differing needs.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue to develop practical ways to involve parents in their child’s continuous learning and development.

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provision

The childminder is a reflective practitioner, who actively evaluates the effectiveness of the provision. This ensures she has a clear understanding of her provisions many strengths and of areas for development, such as the new outdoor play area. Parents complete written questionnaires about the quality of the provision, which the childminder uses to support her evaluation. They are very positive about the care their children receive and how the childminder deals with, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for example, behaviour management. The childminder shares her exceptionally clear and comprehensive range of written policies and procedures, that fully support the effective working practice of the provision with them. She fosters very close working relationships with parents. The childminder provides them with an excellent range of information about their child's care, learning and activities,

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provision

including newsletters and a daily updated notice board. Daily routines are discussed with parents and planning for each child's welfare and continued progress is very well focused. Children are comfortable in their regular schedules and they receive clear consistency in their care, learning and development. The childminder organises her space and resources extremely well to maximise each child’s learning potential. For example, the newly fitted conservatory offers children an abundant variety of play equipment, which is attractively presented and well labelled to encourage their independence and confidence.

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provision

The childminder is extremely organised. All records and registers required for the efficient and safe management of the provision are in place and accurately maintained. Well written risk assessments ensure that any potential hazards are easily identified and acted upon. The childminder places strong emphasis on maintaining the children's safety and security at all times. She constantly updates her knowledge of child protection issues and parents are fully aware of her responsibility to safeguard their child's welfare. The childminder maintains a current first aid certificate and has undertaken numerous other training to significantly enhance her care for the children and to become familiar with changes affecting her childminding role.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children engage well in play and they relate very warmly to the childminder. She ensures each child receives equal attention and skilfully supports them by providing an excellent choice of stimulating play activities throughout the day. Children are making first class progress and excellent systems are in place to record achievements. Observations of children's activities demonstrate a robust understanding of the stages of development within the six areas of learning. The childminder uses the observations and her regular assessments to recognise and excellently target next steps in each child's learning. This helps to identify any barriers to learning so that planning to overcome these can be put into place. Parents verbally share development information about their child and the childminder is looking to develop other practical ways to involve them in their child’s continuous learning and development. She includes families well in all

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

activities. For example, the childminder advises them of outings and events, such as a 'Toddle Waddle' for charity, so that parents and children who do not normally attend on that day can join in and enjoy the fun.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Young children's emerging communication skills are developing well. The childminder constantly talks and listens to children during play and they respond very well to her. Children receive plenty of praise and encouragement, which fully supports their self-esteem and confidence. After school, older children receive support with homework and enjoy using the childminder's laptop, under supervision. The childminder works closely with school and contributes to the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's profile so that they are all fully aware of the child's learning journey towards the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy the excellent balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities throughout their time with the childminder. All children enjoy a superb range of age appropriate outings. They enjoy numerous trips to visit the city's museums, parks and other local attractions. The childminder also makes excellent use of local groups and events offered by the local children's centre to extend children's experiences and knowledge of their local environment. This fully supports children's social development and they learn to play cooperatively and share resources with other children in larger groups. Young children thoroughly enjoy music, learn number through familiar number rhymes and sway in time to the rhythm. They spontaneously take the childminder's hand for her help in action songs, such as 'Row, row, row the boat'. An excellent variety of musical instruments encourages young children to develop fine and large motor skills as

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

they create the sounds. Children follow the childminder's actions and shake bells enthusiastically above their heads. An abundant range of craft activities, role play equipment and other resources, such as hand puppets superbly support all children's imaginative skills. The childminder competently supports young children's physical development and encourages them to learn by using all their senses, for example, using muslin bags filled with sage and basil for catching games.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children follow excellent procedures to maintain their good health and prevent cross infection. They know they must clean their hands before eating and the childminder supervises younger children closely whilst they are eating to ensure they eat their food carefully. She reminds them why they must sit until they have finished eating and why they should not put too much in their mouths. Children enjoy a healthy, nutritious diet and the daily fresh air and exercise significantly supports their healthy life-style. The childminder uses opportunities, such as visits to the shops, to talk about the good food they are buying and their safety whilst on outings. All children benefit from practising fire evacuation procedures so that they are aware of what to do in the event of a fire. They receive a certificate afterwards, which older children can colour in, to remind them and recognise what they have learnt.

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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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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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