Corah, 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 320808 Inspection date 27/07/2009 Inspector Angela Margaret Ellis

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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 2001. She lives with her family in the Farnley area of Leeds in West Yorkshire. The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding, along with a bathroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden to the front and side of the house for outside play. The childminder has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently five children on roll in this age group. The childminder also cares for 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 has completed the required childminding training and 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 good. Children are cared for in a safe and stimulating environment where their individual needs are always considered and met. Their welfare is promoted well irrespective of background or ability. This enables all children to make good progress in all aspects of their learning and development. However, an aspect of documentation is not fully in place. Children learn to appreciate diversity through experiences that broaden their understanding of the wider world. The childminder has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form and has used it appropriately to identify strengths and areas for development to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 use the observations and assessments from others delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to identify learning priorities within the planning  continue to develop the system of self-evaluation and demonstrate how parents views contribute towards it in a meaningful way.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure that written permission is sought for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 27/07/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is well organised and experienced. She demonstrates a commitment to continued professional development by keeping up to date with current childcare practise through training and close links with other childminders through the Toddler and Childminder group that she helps to run. Here they can discuss current practice and emerging issues.

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provision

The capacity to improve and maintain continuous improvement is demonstrated well because the childminder has implemented the recommendation made since the last inspection. This involved ensuring that documentation relating to existing injuries is consistently recorded. This is now implemented which means that she acts in the best interests of the children. The childminder has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form and found the process of reflective practice beneficial in identifying strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of the setting. However, it doesn’t demonstrate how the views of parents are taken account of in a meaningful way.

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provision

The children are safeguarded because the childminder demonstrates a clear knowledge and understanding of how to implement the procedures for child protection if necessary, to ensure the well-being of the children is maintained. She is fully aware that all adults over 16 years of age in the home have to have a criminal records bureau check. There are robust procedures for conducting daily checks to make sure that any hazards highlighted through the extensive risk assessment process are minimised or eliminated for indoors, outdoors and outings.

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provision

A comprehensive range of policies and procedures are implemented to ensure that all of the children in her care are safe and well cared for. Most of the required documents are in place, except that consent is obtained from all parents at the start of their time at the setting for administering medication, however, written permission from parents before for each and every medicine is given is not obtained on every occasion. This means that the requirement is not fully met.

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provision

A successful partnership with parents contributes to promoting inclusive practice and this enables the childminder to support the individual needs of children and provide continuity of care for them. Positive feed back from parents through ‘Thank you’ cards and letters clearly demonstrates their appreciation of the service that she provides.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals. This is because the childminder has embraced the changes brought about by the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She does this by providing a stimulating and child centred environment. For example, many of the resources are arranged well to be easily accessible to encourage all children to make independent choices and there is also lots of children’s art work displayed. Which demonstrates that the childminder values the children and this helps them to feel a sense of belonging. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 There is effective planning for play and exploration both in and outdoors, with a balance of adult lead and child led activities and spontaneous events that results in children being active learners and being creative.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are clearly happy and settled and this is evident by them being confident in independently following their own interests. For example, children made a request to paint and had great fun in mixing the primary colours to create green and orange. They also painted their hands to make hand prints. A child explained, ‘I can only fit two hands on my paper because my hands are bigger and you can fit more on your paper because your hands are smaller’. This demonstrates that the children are developing their sense of shape, space and measuring. Good interaction is demonstrated through a warm, caring relationship between the children and the childminder. Children are supported by the childminder well, who demonstrates that she understands when to engage or not with them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder observes the children to find out about what they know, can do and enjoy when they start and this forms part of an on going assessment. Observations are clearly matched to the areas of learning and the next step of learning for individual children is identified to inform future plans. The childminder has developed positive relationships with parents and other providers delivering the EYFS for children, such as the local nursery to exchange information about children’s progress. However, this information is not effectively used to identify learning priorities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about the local community and the natural world around them, they learn an awareness of the seasons through a wide range of outings and outdoor activities, such as to the local Toddler group. The provider promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice well to ensure that every child is included and she does this by providing activities that all children can take part in. She uses a varied range of activities including some that take place at the library. This helps children find out about different festivals to broaden the children's knowledge and understanding of diversity and their wider world.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and well being is well met because children learn the importance of cleanliness through good daily hygiene routines. Posters displayed remind children to wash their hands and reinforces the message. Children effectively learn the benefits of eating for their healthy growth and development encouraging them to lead healthier lifestyles. For example, they’ve explored a topic on healthy eating and are encouraged to help in the preparation of some meals, such as Pizza. Children learn how to evacuate the home safely in an emergency because fire drills are practised regularly and a record is kept of them. Children behave well in response to the childminder's positive and consistent approach to managing behaviour. Clear and realistic boundaries are established which effectively promote children’s understanding of right and wrong. The childminder successfully provides a good range of activities that captures children's interests and, therefore, they

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

behave well. They learn to care about and respect each other and other things, for example, in sharing and taking turns. 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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