Nicholls Tracey

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 320107 Inspection date 13/07/2009 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 1996. She lives with her husband and two children aged 16 years and 13 years in the Beeston area of Leeds. There are shops, parks, schools and public transport links in the local area. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog and tropical fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding six children in the early years age group and is registered on the Early Years Register. 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. She is currently minding two children in this age group. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant, and together they may care for a maximum of eight children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school 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 satisfactory. The childminder provides a safe and welcoming learning environment where children are happy, settled and enthusiastic to learn. She appropriately promotes positive behaviour and diversity so that children respect themselves and others and has positive relationships with parents and others. Through written policies and procedures, the childminder outlines the service she provides, although some documents are lacking. The childminder provides a varied range of experiences and activities that help children learn, however, children’s assessment records lack some detail. The childminder understands the importance of monitoring and evaluating her service and she has devised some systems to support her in this process.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop children’s assessment records to ensure they include identifying and planning for children’s learning priorities and matching observations to the expectations of the early learning goals  continue to explore ways to involve parents in children's learning  ensure up to date information and guidance is available regarding the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  maintain a record of the name, home address and telephone number of the provider and any other person living or employed on the premises (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 27/07/2009

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provision

The childminder has some measures in place to monitor and evaluate the quality of her service and experiences she provides for children. For example, through discussions with parents and children she has begun to seek their views on areas she can develop. The childminder accesses some training and seeks support from other registered providers to help her develop her knowledge and experience. She uses the ideas gained to develop her service, therefore, promoting positive outcomes for children. In addition, the childminder has appropriately addressed the recommendations made at the last inspection; this demonstrates a commitment to improve. For example, through updating her first aid training the childminder ensures she can act in the best interests of the children if an accident or injury occurs.

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provision

The childminder has positive relationships with parents. She provides them with a good range of information about the service through her written policies and procedures. She provides a flexible service, which includes a collection and drop off service. Through discussion, they regularly share and exchange information regarding children’s needs. This contributes to meeting children’s individual needs and promotes continuity in their care. However, how parents contribute to children’s learning and progress is still developing. The childminder has good links with one of the local schools and nurseries children attend, and they work well together to support children’s learning and development.

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provision

The childminder appropriately promotes and safeguards children’s welfare. She supervises the children and maintains a safe environment for them to play by ensuring she has adequate precautions in place to minimise accidents. For example, she carries out regular safety checks on the home and has developed detailed risk assessment records that clearly show what steps she takes to keep children safe indoors, outdoors and on outings. The children are developing a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. For example, through play, activities and routines the children learn about road safety and through emergency evacuation practise, they understand what to do in an emergency. The childminder maintains a varied range of documentation, including policies and procedures that contribute to the safe management of the setting. However, records of persons living or working on the premises are lacking, such as details of the assistants the

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provision

childminder regularly works with; this is a breach in a specific legal requirement.

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provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues, she is aware of her responsibilities in protecting children from harm. For example, she understands the importance of keeping records and reporting concerns. However, information on up to date guidance ‘What to do if you are worried a child is being This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 abused-Summary’ and information on the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures is lacking. To ensure the childminder protects children from harm, all adults living or working on the premises have undergone appropriate checks. In addition, the childminder understands the procedures for leaving assistants in sole charge of children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The management of illness, infection and hygiene is appropriate and contributes to promoting children’s health and well-being. The childminder’s cleaning routines ensure the home is maintained to acceptable standards of cleanliness. Through daily routines, the childminder provides good support to help children to adopt healthy habits, such as good hygiene practices. Through providing a varied range of healthy snacks and meals, the children are learning about the benefits of eating healthily. They have good opportunities to be active and to exercise. For example, they play outdoors, go on walks, visit local parks and play gyms so that they can run, climb, play games and move energetically. This contributes to encouraging children to lead a healthy lifestyle.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children enthusiastically approach their learning. They eagerly join in activities and enjoy their time in the childminder’s care. The childminder provides a varied range of resources and experiences that sufficiently cover all areas of learning. For example, the children access dressing up outfits, books and mark making and they enjoy building and constructing with the different shaped bricks. Younger children laugh and smile as they watch the glitter sparkle and move in the water shakers. The childminder has a developing understanding of how young children learn and ways in which she can support this. She interacts well with the children and she involves herself in their play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder organises resources well so that the children can make independent choices and she plans activities that build on children’s interests and ideas. She has begun to develop children’s progress and assessment records that include observations on the children. From her observations, the childminder develops an understanding of what children can do. However, she does not match these observations to expectations of the early learning goals and systems for using them to identify children’s learning priorities, including planning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children well and she has positive relationships with them. She recognises and meets their individual needs and this promotes continuity for children; for example, she organises her day to take into account individual children’s routines. This means children are happy, settled and secure in a welcoming environment. The childminder manages children’s behaviour appropriately and through clear, consistent boundaries, the children know what is expected of them. Through play, discussions and positive role models the children are developing an understanding of right and wrong. For example, the childminder regularly praises the children and they respond well.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children have a positive self-image and a sense of belonging within the home. For example, some of their artwork is valued and displayed around the home and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the childminder seeks children’s views on what they would like to do, for example, planning outings during the holidays. Through a varied selection of resources, activities, discussions, visits in the community and celebrating different cultural festivals and traditions, the children are beginning to learn about the diverse world in which they live. This contributes to children having a positive attitude and respect towards all people in society. 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? 3 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? 3

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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? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR8). 27/07/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR8). 27/07/2009

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