Childminder in Wakefield

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 EY387514 Inspection date 03/06/2009 Inspector Paula Fretwell

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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 has been registered since 2009. She lives with her husband who is also a childminding assistant, and their five year old daughter in Wakefield. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The premises are accessible to people with limited mobility.

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Description of the childminding

The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are three children on roll who attend on a variable basis. The childminder takes children to and from local schools.

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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 very friendly, welcoming, child-centred environment for children. She has an excellent understanding of how children learn through play and individual learning plans ensure that each child receives an enjoyable and challenging experience. The childminder works with parents in meeting the individual needs of their children and there are developing systems to share their progress and achievement. The childminder is committed to continuous improvement and some useful methods are in place to help her evaluate and monitor the quality of the provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop ways to share children's progress and records of achievement with parents  continue to develop ways to evaluate the quality of the provision.

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provision

The effective organisation of supportive documentation clearly underpins the childminder's practice and is securely filed to ensure confidentiality. Policies and procedures show how effectively the childminder works within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and demonstrate how children's learning, development and welfare needs are met. The childminder plans for children's individual learning and assesses their progress, and is beginning to develop systems to share this with parents. All children are valued and included and their sense of belonging is promoted well. For example, they have individual coat pegs at their height for their personal belongings. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Effective communication is in place and verbal information is exchanged with parents daily to share relevant matters about their child. Trusting relationships are

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provision

fostered with the children so that their individual needs are met and the childminder has flexible procedures for new children settling into the provision. Flexible hours of care are provided to enable parents to balance their childcare responsibilities and the childminder supports them very well in the care of their children. The childminder is very motivated and enthusiastic, with a good knowledge of each child's personality, their likes and dislikes. The childminder is aware of the need to evaluate the quality of the provision and has developed some systems, such as a parents' questionnaire for assessing the strengths and areas to improve.

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provision

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a clear knowledge of the signs of possible abuse and a good understanding of the procedures to follow in the event of a concern or allegation. All safeguarding procedures are readily available along with relevant contact numbers and the childminder understands the need to record all accidents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make excellent progress in their learning and development and are supported by trusting relationships with the childminder who understands their individual development needs. The childminder understands how young children learn and she ensures daily opportunities are fun and challenging across all areas of learning. Planning of activities is child-led and flexible to allow for children's changing needs and feelings. Children enjoy activities according to their level of understanding. For example, they enjoy engaging in role play together and negotiate who will undertake each part. Children enjoy regular visits to local places, such as parks, farms and play areas in addition to daily play opportunities in the childminder's garden. The childminder understands the benefits of forming links with other settings that provide the Early Years Foundation Stage and she communicates well with them to enhance children's learning opportunities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Play areas are well set out so that children confidently access the resources they need to support their play. For example, they confidently help themselves to paper, scissors and glue to make collage pictures. The childminder joins in to enhance children's learning and extend their language skills with lots of conversation, singing and chatter and excellent questioning encourages them to think. For example, they look at different flags and discuss which countries they belong to, or chat to each other on their telephones. Children involve the childminder in their play, such as when completing large jigsaw puzzles and she helps them to identify straight pieces and patterns in what they are doing. Children's personal routines are based on their individual needs, such as for eating and sleeping. The childminder maximises opportunities for children to learn spontaneously and she helps them to count, recognise colours and letter sounds in

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a healthy, balanced diet and the childminder understands their individual dietary needs. The childminder works alongside parents to ensure This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's dietary needs are met and food is safely stored and handled. Children eat healthy snacks, such as fruit and they are helped to understand their own needs through discussion. For example, the childminder asks them if they are thirsty and reminds them to have a drink from their individual cups which are readily accessible, or they use the tea set to enjoy additional drinks of water. Details of children's food intake are shared with parents and sample menus illustrate the range of food available.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The environment is safe and secure for children. Risk assessments effectively identify any hazards and clear procedures ensure only those authorised to collect children may do so and visitors to the setting are clearly recorded. Appropriate equipment is in place to ensure children are safe and the childminder ensures all resources are suitable for their use. Simple explanations help children to learn about their own safety, for example, they discuss taking care when using scissors. Children's personal hygiene is given good consideration in the routine. For example, the childminder ensures they wash their hands before handling food, use individual towels and there are simple pictures at children's eye height to help them understand about their own hygiene. They talk to each other about matters affecting their health, such as allergies and hay fever and the need to wear a sun hat in hot weather. Fire safety precautions are securely in place and children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

regularly practise emergency evacuation to help them understand how to keep themselves safe. They talk about how to dial for the emergency services and they re-enact this in role play, using their phone to ask for the fire engine to come. Children learn safe boundaries for their behaviour and they are encouraged to be kind to others. The childminder uses positive language, eye contact and friendly facial expressions as well as giving meaningful praise and encouragement to promote children's confidence. The childminder ensures children are actively involved in the setting and she divides her time up fairly to ensure each child is included. Sensitive explanations are given to encourage children to share and be polite with one another and they confidently praise each other in their play, saying 'we've done so well'. 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? 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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