Childminder in Leeds

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 EY240174 Inspection date 27/08/2009 Inspector Rasmik Parmar

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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 1998. She lives with her partner and three children aged 14 years, 12 years and two years in the Bramhope area of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. Children attend a variety of sessions throughout the week. There are six children on roll, of these, two are in the early years age range. She also offers care to four children aged over five years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends the local parent and toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is an accredited childminder with the Leeds Childminding Network. She has been a qualified Early Years Teacher since 1992.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children are very well supported by the childminder; she helps them to feel happy and protected. The childminder ensures that she has a detailed understanding of the children she looks after, enabling her to successfully promote all aspects of their welfare and learning to a high standard. Children take part in an excellent range of activities in the childminder's home and enjoy regular trips out in the local community. The partnership with parents is strong; good two-way flows of information ensure that children's individual needs are identified and met effectively. Good self-evaluation ensures effective systems for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop planning to take into consideration children's identified areas for improvement  continue to extend children's learning in their home.

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provision

The childminder is very well organised and effectively promotes children's welfare and learning at all times. As part of continuous improvement she has attended relevant training for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) with a private company to enable her to implement it efficiently. She has recently become an accredited childminder with the local childminding network and uses advice from regular support visits to enhance her service. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder organises her home to be safe and child friendly; children thoroughly enjoy the use of a spacious and well set out play room. They have easy access to a wide range of exciting toys throughout the home. The childminder has taken sensible steps to make sure her home is safe and she conscientiously supervises children at all times. She has assessed and minimised risks, ensuring

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provision

that children are secure whilst in her home and out and about. Outdoors, children can play in a secure rear garden, benefiting from regular access to fresh air and exercise. Children are well protected in the event of having an accident as the childminder is qualified in first aid and good systems are in place to help her respond appropriately in an emergency. Children are kept safe from harm as the childminder has undergone training to provide her with a sound understanding of signs and symptoms of child abuse and is able to follow the reporting procedures in her safeguarding policy.

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provision

Partnership with parents is good; they are warmly welcomed and receive clear information about the childminder’s operational policies and procedures. Feedback takes place on an informal basis with lots of conversation during drop off and collection times. Parental involvement in children's learning and development is also carried out on an informal basis and parents have access to observation and assessment records at all times. Ongoing learning at the children's homes is in its initial stages whereby children take home activities to help them with their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make very good progress in all areas as the childminder recognises and treats children as individuals with their own needs and preferences, and provides activities designed to be stimulating and purposeful for each child. The childminder is highly organised and has an excellent awareness of children's development and the EYFS framework, enabling her to confidently promote their learning. She makes flexible plans to ensure that activities provided cover all aspects of learning and are linked to a theme or topic of interest. She provides a comprehensive variety of toys and resources and encourages children to initiate their own play, which she skilfully extends and develops. She makes good observational records of children and uses these to assess their level of development and to plan the next steps in their learning. However, future planning does not take into consideration children's identified areas for improvement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are looked after in a safe and secure child-centred home. They play with a good range of toys and games which they can access independently, giving them good freedom of choice. Children really enjoy their time with the childminder; they are enthusiastic and very well behaved, and cooperate well together in developing their play. The childminder is very calm and attuned to children's needs. She effortlessly manages children's behaviour with a supportive attitude, clear direction and genuine interest in all that they are doing. Children respond well to her positive manner, learning to cooperate and behave appropriately, equipping them with good skills for their future well-being. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children enjoy healthy light meals and snacks provided by the childminder, such as fresh fruits, salads and sandwiches. They are developing personal independence

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

by visiting the bathroom and using the toilet unaided. They dry their hands with individual hand towels to reduce the risk of cross-infection. Children learn to keep themselves safe, for example, by learning to be careful when out on trips and through mini-topic based activities on safety.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder encourages children to develop their own play. She provides the right amount of support and monitoring to enable all children to work well together, each at their own level of ability. When toys are brought out, they form the basis of an extended play activity. Children learn about the natural world and develop love for nature as they learn about the lifecycle of butterflies and tadpoles. They have grown broad beans, cress and carrot heads and have learned to care for a neighbour's rat. As a result, children develop creativity and an awareness of the natural world in a meaningful way.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

There are lots of examples of children's work on display, showing how their creativity is valued in the home. Hangings of lanterns from the ceiling demonstrate recent cultural festivals celebrated to broaden children's awareness of the wider world. Story books written and displayed by older and younger children portray the excellent language skills children are developing with the childminder. Children learn to develop their reading abilities and become excited about predicting the next part of the story. They learn the importance of repetition through rhymes and develop their writing skills by tracing over letters. Their problem solving skills are promoted through everyday activities that excite their thinking.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

There are lots of opportunities for imaginative play with a wide range of props available, including role play and small world toys, all of which are used by the childminder to help children learn about the similarities and differences of their own lives and those of others. The childminder arranges trips out of the home to experience the local community and children visit nearby places of natural beauty, including lakes and historic buildings. 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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