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

p.1

Unique reference number EY296099 Inspection date 08/07/2009 Inspector Cathleen Howarth

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2004 and works with an assistant. She lives with her partner and mother in Kirkburton. The childminder has part-time caring responsibility for her mother who lives semi-independently on the first floor of the house. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding. Provision for outside play is in the back garden. Parents use the front door, which is accessible from the driveway. The family has a cat.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years. There are six children on roll attending on a sessional basis. Of these, two are in the early years age group and four are in the later age group. Children occupying these places share the same facilities as the children in the early years range. There is provision for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care for minded children during weekdays throughout the year between the hours of 07.45 and 18.45. During term time, she cares for her grandchildren before and after school. She also looks after her grandchildren during the day throughout the school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and transport can be provided.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has made links with other Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) providers. She is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are appropriately met in a well-organised, inclusive and welcoming environment. The childminder effectively demonstrates her commitment to children and clearly has the capacity to continue to make improvements. She has made good progress since the last inspection by obtaining relevant training and implementing change to enhance children's overall welfare, learning and development. However, the childminder's knowledge and understanding of the EYFS is not yet fully secure. An action and recommendations have been raised to build on the good progress she has made.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 develop existing risk assessments and include all aspects of the provision  establish roles and responsibilities for working with assistants and obtain written permission from parents  develop a system to establish children's starting points in the six areas of learning in order to judge their progress This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop the system for planning children's activities and clearly incorporate individual children's learning priorities.

p.3

further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.4

further?

 ensure written parental permission is requested, at the time of the child's admission, to seek emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 22/07/2009

p.4

provision

The early years provision is generally well led and managed. However, the childminder has not obtained written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice and treatment, which hinders children's overall health and safety. This is a breach of a welfare requirement.

p.4

provision

At the last inspection, actions were raised to develop practice in relation to safeguarding. The childminder has now developed sound knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures. Existing risk assessments are underdeveloped and do not include all parts of the provision. The childminder is becoming familiar with the six areas of learning and the early learning goals and now incorporates sensitive observations in children's development files. There is a system in place, which demonstrates how the childminder plans some activities with children. However, individual children’s learning priorities are not clear and in the absence of a system to ascertain children’s starting points, it is difficult to judge their progress.

p.4

provision

The childminder has now made appropriate links with other EYFS providers to effectively ensure there is a seamless approach to delivering the framework. There is now a policy in place, shared with parents, advising how to raise concerns through the relevant procedure. Working in partnership with parents is further enhanced when the childminder and parents verbally exchange relevant information about the child on arrival and departure, to promote children's continuing care and development. The childminder is registered to work with assistants. Their roles and responsibilities have not been thought through and need to be agreed with parents. Children now practise the emergency evacuation plan to encourage them to act responsibly in times of uncertainty.

p.4

provision

The childminder has some systems in place that sufficiently demonstrates reflective practice. For example, she has mostly addressed the issues raised on the action plan devised in consultation with the local authority and she has begun to complete a self-evaluation form. This is helping her to prioritise future improvements, such as updating the policy and procedure file and ensuring it is unique to the setting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Overall, a good balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities encourage children to become creative, active learners who think critically. The childminder has worked hard to develop systems to facilitate the EYFS learning and development requirements in order to support children's progress towards the early learning goals in a coherent way.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The welfare of children in the EYFS is generally well promoted. They are learning to stay safe when road safety is continually reinforced, such as by getting out of the car through the door nearest to the curb, holding hands and looking and listening before crossing the road. The childminder knows that habits learnt in childhood are often continued into adulthood, and she teaches children the importance of making healthy choices. For example, she provides nutritious food and drink and encourages outdoor play. Children enjoy their time at the setting and have fun. They are confident and relaxed in a familiar, supportive environment, which encourages children to use what they know and to learn more. Children have planted cress and sunflower seeds and are watching them grow. Through play, they effectively use all their senses and positively interact with each other during activities like mark-making, drawing, modelling, reading and writing.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are becoming aware of diversity in the wider community and positive attitudes are clearly promoted. Children purposefully engage in relevant discussions, look at picture books, refer to simple reference books and use the laptop computer. They play musical instruments and use their imaginations in role- play, movement and dance. They enjoy helping out in the kitchen, such as by cooking, baking, and they look forward to eating what they have made. Children are appropriately developing other collaborative skills like problem solving. The very young ones are beginning to use mathematical vocabulary during play and daily routines. For example, they understand what is enough, more, half, full and empty. Children find counting fun. For example, they count the stairs, the number of pieces in a jigsaw and sing number rhymes. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.6

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? 3

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7