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 320241 Inspection date 13/08/2009 Inspector Ann Webb

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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 and is currently caring for nine children, three of whom are in the early years age range. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Registrar. The childminder lives with her husband and child aged 14 years. They live in Wortley, a suburb of Leeds, and there is a park, library, school and shops within walking distance. The ground floor of the home consisting of a lounge, kitchen and conservatory, and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a pet rabbit and a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years when working alone and eight children under eight years when working with a registered assistant.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder uses self-evaluation effectively to identify areas for development and to implement changes for improvement. Children's individual needs are mostly well identified, with clear planning for their welfare and learning needs and, consequently, the children make good progress in all areas. The childminder effectively plans opportunities for the children to be physically active and have healthy choices in their diet. Their safety is given a high consideration in all areas and risk assessments effectively detail all potential hazards. There are successful partnerships with parents and other providers which ensures that children receive good quality care and education.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain information from parents about what the children know and can do when they first start to attend  continue to track children's development and link their progress to the six areas of learning.

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provision

The childminder is very well organised and manages her time efficiently ensuing that all records, policies and procedures contribute effectively toward the needs of the individual children. The children benefit significantly from the childminder's commitment to improving the service she offers, for example, through additional training and self-evaluation. She is able to identify areas for further development. Since her last inspection she has installed fire safety equipment and undertaken training on the Early Years Foundation Stage. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Parents are provided with good quality information relating to their children's care and education. They regularly view observation records and are encouraged to add information about their children's achievements at home. They complete accident and medication records with their signatures and are kept fully informed about the

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provision

outings their children participate in, with clear details of all activities. However, limited information is obtained from parents about what their children know and can do when they first start to attend.

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provision

The children's safety is maintained efficiently and consistently by the childminder. She presents all areas used by the children in a very safe and well maintained manner. Her understanding of how to minimize risks and hazards is well developed and she ensures that all resources, furniture and activities are suitable and safe for the children's use. Written and well documented risk assessments successfully identify all internal and external hazards and actions needed to eliminate and manage risks are effectively highlighted. The children's safety is further promoted through a clear child protection procedure and the childminder's good understanding of how to record and report all concerns.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children learn in a warm and homely environment and engage well in a good range of planned and spontaneous activities. For example, they talk enthusiastically about a bug hunt and describe finding a spider. They use a computer to research, looking at pictures to identify and name their find. They are supported well by the childminder and her assistant who encourage the children to make choices about their learning and to direct their own play. During everyday activities the children use their imaginations and creativity well. They enjoy experimenting with malleable materials such as dough and using paint and collage.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are very confident and want to contribute towards their own health and safety. They understand about making a healthy choice at meal times and ask for a healthy salad. They follow road safety advice when out walking and know how to leave the premises in an emergency. Their individual learning is tracked by the childminder. She observes the children's development and records her observations with written details and photographs. This information is used effectively to plan for the next steps in their learning. However, observations are not yet fully linked to the six areas of learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children learn effectively about the wider community. For example, activities, toys and resources reflect a good variety of customs, traditions and beliefs of others and portray positive images of race, gender and disability. Children participate in their local community through accessing groups to socialise with their peers and discover the outdoor world, making good progress in all areas of learning. The children understand what is expected of them because the childminder reinforces positive behaviour with praise, encouragement and guidance.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has established successful links with the schools and nurseries This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 which the children attend and shares information about the children's progress. Additionally, parents are encouraged to contribute towards their children's learning and information about their progress is shared frequently. This successfully ensures that the children's welfare and learning needs are consistently identified and met 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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