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 EY318734 Inspection date 02/07/2009 Inspector Helen Blackburn

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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 two adult children in the Clayton West area of Huddersfield. There are shops, parks, schools and public transport links in the local area. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder has a dog, three cats and a rabbit.

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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 four children in the early years age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years and she is currently minding four children in this age range. 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 takes or collects children from the local school and nursery. 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 good. The childminder provides a welcoming environment where children are happy, settled and have a positive approach to their learning. A wide range of policies and procedures clearly demonstrate the service provided for children, although some documentation lacks detail and evaluation. Through self-evaluation processes, that involve parents and children, the childminder identifies priority areas for development. The childminder has good relationships with the children and parents, however, relationships with others involved in children’s learning are still developing. The childminder provides good experiences and support so that children develop positive attitudes and respect for themselves, good habits and behaviour appropriate to good learners.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the risk assessment records to ensure they include all types of outings the children experience  continue to establish relationships with other settings so that sufficient information is gathered to promote continuity and progression in children’s learning through complementing and balancing the experiences children receive elsewhere.

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provision

Through her effective self-evaluation processes, the childminder monitors and evaluates the quality of the service she provides and clearly highlights areas where This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 she can enhance children’s experiences. The childminder welcomes and values any comments from children and parents, through either discussions or feedback sheets. This ensures any improvements meet the needs of the families and children attending. The childminder accesses a varied range of training courses and this demonstrates her commitment to her own professional development. She uses ideas gained on training to positively influence her practice. For example, following training the childminder uses an empathy doll to help children talk about their feelings and inclusion. In addition, the childminder has addressed the recommendations raised at the last inspection. This has resulted in improvements

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provision

in documentation, health, safeguarding and equality aspects of the service.

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provision

Relationships with the parents are good. They receive good quality information about the service through written policies and procedures. Through discussions, the childminder regularly shares and exchanges about the child’s day and progress. Parents access their child’s progress record and they actively contribute to the process by adding comments and ideas about their child’s learning and development. The childminder understands the benefits of establishing links with other settings involved in children’s learning, such as nursery. However, her liaison with other settings is still developing around gathering sufficient information about individual children so that she can complement and balance experiences children receive elsewhere.

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provision

The arrangements for safeguarding children are good. The childminder supervises the children well and she maintains a safe environment for them to play. She manages this effectively through carrying out regular safety checks and through risk assessing her home and outings to ensure appropriate precautions are in place to minimise risks for children. Although she maintains a record of these risk assessments, they are lacking for some outings the children experience. Through play, discussions and activities, the childminder supports the children in developing a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. For example, the children talk about road safety and they are involved in fire evacuation practices. Through having a good understanding of child protection issues, the childminder understands her responsibilities in protecting children from harm. This includes devising a child protection policy that outlines what procedures she would follow if

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provision

she has concerns about a child in her care. All adults living on the premises have undergone appropriate checks and the childminder supervises all visitors to the home to ensure she keeps children safe. The childminder maintains a wide range of detailed documentation, policies and procedures across all the welfare requirements. This contributes to promoting children’s welfare and to the safe and efficient management of the setting.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children’s health is promoted well through effective procedures for managing illness, infection and hygiene within the home. For example, good cleaning routines, procedures for ensuring ill children remain at home and promotion of personal hygiene minimises cross-infection and promotes children’s health and well-being. For example, through daily routines, such as hand washing and discussions about germs the children learn about the importance of good hygiene This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 practices and personal care. The children learn about making healthy choices through the childminder providing a wide range of healthy and nutritious snacks and meals. This includes the children growing some foods, such as cucumbers and tomatoes, which they enjoy eating as part of their meals. The children have regular opportunities to play outdoors, they go on walks and play at the local park,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and this encourages them to be active and to lead a healthy lifestyle. The children enjoy playing with a wide range of resources to help them develop their physical skills and dexterity. They build and construct, paint, draw, ride bikes, and move their bodies in many ways, for example, babies have the space to crawl, older children run, jump and climb.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Relationships between the children and childminder are good. The childminder knows the children well, she effectively meets their needs and through building into the day individual routines, she promotes continuity for children. This promotes security for children and results in them being happy and settled in the childminder’s care. Through effective behaviour management strategies the children have a good understanding of what is expected of them. The children are polite, they behave well and they know that sharing and taking turns is kind. Through praising the children’s achievements and valuing their contributions, the children have positive self-esteem and confidence in what they do. The children have a positive self-image and through accessing a good range of resources, activities, discussions and visits in the community the children are learning about the world in which they live and diversity. This contributes to children having a

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

positive attitude and respect towards all people in society.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children's approach to their learning is good and they are enthusiastic, motivated and eager to join in activities. Resources are organised so that children can make independent choices and decisions in their play. In addition, the childminder builds on children’s interests, and child initiated activities so that they remain motivated to learn. The children thoroughly enjoy themselves and learn through fun activities. For example, children speak with confidence as they excitedly talk about the pictures in books, they use their imagination as they pretend to make tea, they develop their pre-writing skills as they make marks and draw and through looking for insects in the garden, they develop a knowledge and understanding about the environment and nature. The childminder has a sound understanding of how young children learn. She is actively involved in children’s play and she provides appropriate challenges to help children to progress. Through

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

observation, planning and assessment the childminder identifies children’s next steps, she plans for these accordingly and monitors and records children’s progress. However, these new systems are still to be evaluated to monitor their effectiveness to ensure all elements are incorporated into the processes. 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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