Walsh, Annabel Kate

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 EY336638 Inspection date 29/07/2009 Inspector Rachael Flesher

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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 children, aged 10, six and five years, in the Shadwell areas of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with access to toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group and takes children to the local library, park and other amenities. The family have two cats and a dog. The childminder is registered to provide overnight care.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register to care for four children, three of whom may be in the early years age group. When working with an assistant, may care for ten children, five of whom may be in the early years age group. There are currently 10 children on roll, three of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder support children who speak English as an additional language.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has worked hard to ensure the effective implementation of this, to promote very good outcomes for all children. Children are making good progress and their individual needs are provided for exceptionally well, in an effective, supportive, learning environment where inclusive practice is extremely well promoted. Partnerships are exemplary due to the highly effective information sharing systems in place. This coupled with robust management systems fully ensures children are safeguarded and their welfare promoted.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop systems for observing, assessing, recording and planning for the individual interests, learning styles and next steps of all the children as they progress towards the early learning goals  continue to develop systems for evaluating all aspects of the practice and provision, setting further targets for improvement and monitoring the impact of improvements made on the outcomes for children

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provision

The childminder reflects on her practice and provision and demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement. She has begun to use the Ofsted self- evaluation form, along with views gathered from her assistant, parents and children, through questionnaires and ongoing discussions. Their feedback is used This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to identify the key strengths and areas for development, and plan for these accordingly. These include reviewing her own professional development needs and those of her assistant and addressing these. Plans for the future are generally well targeted and recommendations set at the last inspection have been successfully addressed to further promote their safety and welfare. The childminder has actively developed the practice and provision since the last inspection. However, systems for monitoring the impact of improvements made on the outcomes for

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provision

The childminder makes very good use of available resources to support and extend the outcomes for children. She accesses training and support provided by the local authority and promotes the services provided for families, to support parents new to the area. The childminder also uses local parks, shops and other attractions to extend children's learning opportunities. Highly organised systems, and the childminders powerful inclusive ethos, ensures all children are extremely well included and their learning and development needs met, which together supports their good progress. Children's safety and welfare is given utmost priority and the robust documentation, policies and procedures in place are shared with parents and frequently reviewed. This fully ensures all children are safeguarded.

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provision

Parents are extremely well informed of all aspects of the provision and their child's progress through the highly effective information sharing systems in place. The childminder demonstrates an outstanding commitment to establishing extremely strong partnerships with parents. For example by making regular home visits and having ongoing discussions, to develop an excellent shared knowledge and understanding of the best way to meet each child's needs. Strong links are being developed with other providers and schools where children attend to ensure continuity in their care, learning and welfare and they are supported during times of transition.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled and cared for in an extremely safe, welcoming and stimulating environment. Warm responsive relationships are established at all levels and children clearly enjoy the time they spend with the childminder and her assistant. The childminder has an outstanding inclusive ethos, where each child's individual and group identities are nurtured, respected and celebrated and used to enrich the learning environment. The childminder and her assistant have a very good understanding of cultural differences due to the strong partnerships in place with children's parents and family members and ensure these are respected at all times. Children's independence is promoted very well and the childminder places great importance on developing children's confidence and self-esteem and uses lots of positive praise and encouragement to achieve this.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Highly detailed information is gathered from parents before children start to identify their starting points, likes and dislikes and things important to them at home, to help them settle and meet their needs effectively. The childminder continually observes children and records their development and achievements in their files which are regularly shared with parents. She has begun to link This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 observations to the early learning goals and record their identified individual interests, learning styles and next steps in their learning and development to inform her planning. However, these systems are not yet fully developed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The learning environment has been extensively developed since the last inspection, providing children with further space which is well utilised. Resources are of high quality and carefully chosen to ensure they meet the needs of all the children and challenge them appropriately. They are stored attractively on shelves and in units to ensure children can freely access them to direct their own play and learning. There is a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated play and learning, and the childminder uses effective questioning and dialogue to support and extend their skills and understanding. Children have direct access from the playroom to the outdoor play area, which has a range of equipment to promote children's physical development and encourage them to be active. They are developing their knowledge and understanding of the world by learning to grow their own produce, and go on outings to nearby parks and attractions, such as Harewood House bird

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

garden and Roundhay Park. These also provide further opportunities for fresh air and physical play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are developing a thorough understanding of how to be safe and healthy. The childminder encourages children to explore and investigate and take safe risks, developing their confidence and skills as a result. Meals are healthy and well balanced and the childminder places utmost priority on ensuring children understand the importance of being healthy and how to achieve this, through activities and discussions. Menu's are shared with parents, which enables them to plan the meals the children will have at home. Children are acquiring a meaningful understanding of diversity and engaging in a good range of activities and experiences to help support this. They are learning to value and respect those who are different from themselves and are developing an extremely good understanding and awareness of their local and wider community. 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? 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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