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 EY385225 Inspection date 07/05/2009 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 2008. She lives with her husband and son aged four years, in the Dewsbury area. 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.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in the early years 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 local schools and nursery and attends several toddler groups and childminder support 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 good. The childminder has good relationships with the children and parents and she values the importance of effective communication. The children are cared for in safe and secure environment, they behave well, and they are happy and have a positive approach towards their learning. The children's positive self-esteem is promoted and through activities and some resources they are learning about the world in which they live, and diversity. A wide range of policies and procedures clearly demonstrate the service provided for children. The childminder has some measures in place to monitor and evaluate her service, although these systems are evolving, resulting in some areas of development being identified, for example, in the assessment arrangement processes.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the assessment, observation and planning records to support individual children's learning and progress, including incorporating parents and others in this process  continue to extend resources to cover all areas of learning to provide children more choice and challenge, including extending resources that positively promote diversity  continue to develop the self-evaluation processes, including how parents, children and others can contribute to the process. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder understands the importance of monitoring and evaluating her service and she has identified well some areas where she can enhance her practice. However, the childminder has only been minding for a very short time and her self-evaluation process are still evolving. She has taken some steps to seek parental views through short questionnaires, although how these meaningfully link to the self-evaluation processes are still developing, as how are children’s views are incorporated. Through accessing training, the childminder is appropriately updating her knowledge, skills and experience, which demonstrates a commitment to promoting her own professional development. She appropriately uses ideas gained on training to promote positive outcomes for children.

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provision

Relationships with the parents are good and the childminder feels that regularly communication with parents is very important. Through discussions, daily diaries and regular text messaging the childminder regularly shares and exchanges information with parents. This contributes to promoting continuity for children and ensures their needs are effectively met. Parents receive good quality information about the service through written policies and procedures. The childminder is beginning to establish links with local schools so that she can work with them to promote children’s learning, although these relationships are still developing.

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provision

The children are cared for in a safe and secure environment where the childminder takes positive steps to safeguard children. The childminder supervises the children well, she keeps children safe and minimises risks by carrying out daily safety checks and through completing regular risk assessments within the home and on outings. Through play and discussions, the children are developing a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. For example, the children talk about walking to school safely and they know what to do if the smoke alarm sounds through regular evacuation practises. The childminder maintains a wide range of detailed documentation, such as policies and procedures across all the welfare requirements. This contributes to the safe and efficient management of the provision and effectively promotes children’s welfare. Through having a good understanding of child protection issues, the childminder understands her

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provision

responsibilities in protecting children from harm. She is fully aware of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care and this is reflected in her own child protection policy. She ensures all visitors to the home are supervised and all adults living or working on the premises have undergone appropriate checks to ensure children’s safety is paramount.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder manages illness, infection and hygiene effectively to promote children’s health and well-being. Through daily routines, the children are developing a good understanding of health and personal care. For example, through hand washing the children talk about germs and the importance of adopting good hygiene routines. The children are supported in making healthy choices through the childminder providing a wide range of healthy and nutritious This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 snacks and meals. Mealtimes are a sociable time and the childminder supports the babies and younger children to become independent by encouraging them to feed themselves. The children have regular opportunities to play outdoors, they go on walks and play at the local park, and this encourages them to be active and to lead a healthy lifestyle. This also includes providing sufficient space and resources that

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

encourage babies to crawl, walk and reach for toys so that they develop their physical skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children well and she has good relationships with them. She recognises and meets their individual needs effectively and this promotes continuity, resulting in children being happy and settled. For example, she builds into the day individual children’s routines. Through effective behaviour, management strategies the children behave appropriately. They are polite and they are learning about right and wrong, sharing and taking turns through positive role models, play and consistent routines. Through praise, the childminder promotes children’s positive self-esteem. The children are learning about the world in which they live through discussions and visits in the community. The childminder plans activities that help children learn about the beliefs and traditions of different groups of people in society. In addition, she has some resources that provide positive images of diversity, although these are still few in number.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children have a positive approach to their learning; they are enthusiastic, motivated and eager to join in activities. By organising a selection of resources in boxes and on low shelves, the children make independent choices and decisions in their play. Since registration, the childminder has built up a sufficient range of resources to meet the needs of the children attending. However, some are lacking to cover all areas of learning and to provide variety, choice and challenge as children progress. The children are happy and thoroughly enjoy the range of activities available. For example, children confidently explore the number games on the computer, babies laugh and babble as they build towers and they inquisitively explore the glitter and shiny bits floating in the water bottles. The children engage in conversations with others and they enjoy playing games together, such as role- play activities. In addition, through building on children’s interests the childminder

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

provides activities she knows the children enjoy.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and this continues to develop as she familiarises herself and uses the guidance more in her practice. She is actively involved in children’s play and she knows the children well so she appropriately supports their development and progress. She has begun to complete observations on the children and she understands the assessment processes, such as planning for children’s next steps and monitoring their progress. However, her systems are still in the early stages of development as a result of only caring for children for a short period of time. This includes developing ways to encourage parents to contribute to the assessment process. 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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