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 320618 Inspection date 22/07/2009 Inspector Shazaad Arshad

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and adult child in the Rodley area of Leeds, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and play group and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides a comfortable, welcoming environment and she caters well of each child's individual care and welfare needs. Children make good progress towards the early learning goals as the childminder has a clear understanding of their individual abilities. She provides appropriate play opportunities from her wide range of resources to help them develop further. Effective, working links with the local school and parents provide children with consistency in their care and development. Parents are very happy with the care their children receive and the childminder works well in partnership with them. The childminder has an adequate understanding of her strengths and weaknesses and is highly motivated in continuing to improve her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop observations and assessment arrangements in order to assist the planning for the next steps in children's learning  develop the self-evaluation system to monitor the provision and identify key strengths and areas for improvement.

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provision

The childminder's home is well organised to meet each child's play and physical needs, with quiet areas for children to sleep in the lounge undisturbed, when necessary. Children move freely from the toy room and have safe and easy access to a wide range of age appropriate resources. The resources are plentiful and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 organised in order to further promote children's confidence and independence. There is an adequate range of hand written policies in place, which the childminder shares with parents to help inform them of her service. Her procedures effectively underpin the good working practice of the provision. Clear written risk assessments contribute to maintaining the children's safety, both on and off the premises. The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare competently. She has an excellent understanding of child protection issues, fully understands her role in

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provision

child protection and ensures she keeps up-to-date, through training, with current procedures. The childminder's safeguarding policy fully supports her practice and she shares it with parents so they are aware of her responsibility. The childminder shows good capacity for continual improvement. Following previous recommendations she has completed numerous childcare courses. She puts the information she has learnt into practice very well. For instance, younger children enjoy exploring the new experiences on mark making and how this links to emergent writing skills. In addition children link play and learn games to literacy development.

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provision

Children benefit from the childminder's close involvement in the local school in her role as a governor. She uses these experiences very well in order to strengthen her links with other childminder's and in order to broaden the range of the children's experiences and play opportunities. For example, she takes children to the drama class at the school for a wider creative experience. The childminder is aware of the strengths and areas for development within her own practices through the very recently started process of self-evaluation. She works very closely with parents at settling in stages and keeps them well informed of their child's activities and development. Parents make very positive comments about the care their children receive.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are confident and happy in the secure environment. The childminder recognises the individuality of each child and effectively promotes equal opportunities. Children confidently make choices in their play and the childminder offers them experiences that fully support boys as well as girls. Very good verbal communication between children and the childminder supports their speech and language development and extends their learning. The childminder formally plans activities for children. The majority of these activities are flexible and child- initiated. She follows children's specific and spontaneous interests and observes their play in order to extend their learning. For example, children enjoy playing with the creative games and a range of musical games. In order to ensure that she extends their enjoyment and provides good challenges, the childminder discusses the different shapes, encouraging children's language and their ability to recognise

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

colours, and promotes their problem-solving and numeric skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of each child's stage of development and ensures resources and activities are always available to support the next steps in their learning. Parents contribute to their children's learning through informal discussion and suggestions about their child's development and interests at home. Observations and photographs of children during play ensure This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 that their individual needs are met. Photographic evidence demonstrates some areas of children's achievements and progress in relation to the early learning goals. However, the profiles for the younger children do not clearly identify children's starting points or the next steps in the child's development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder creates a safe and secure environment, where children begin to learn about potential dangers and how to keep themselves safe indoor and outdoors. Daily visual checks are carried out to identify risks and risk assessments are adequately recorded. Children learn about good health and well-being through daily routines; hand washing takes places before meals, after using the bathroom and after outdoors and creative activities. In addition, notices in the toilet help children and visitors understand the importance of washing their hands. Documentation around sickness ensures that children are suitably protected from illness and infection. For example, these have been well implemented to deal with the recent outbreak of swine flu. Accident and medication records are also available.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about healthy eating through discussion and enjoy their food. The children learn about healthy eating and sample various foods and discuss textures and flavours. They understand why vegetables and fruits are good for them and enjoy their snack time. Positive strategies are used to manage children's behaviour, incorporating safety issues as well. Sensitive explanations are used to help children to understand the difference between right and wrong. 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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