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 EY226016 Inspection date 17/08/2009 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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children in Beeston, Leeds. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding with bathroom facilities on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden 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 at any one time of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently three children on roll in this age group. The childminder also cares for children aged over five years to 19 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 is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and is accredited with them which enables her to receive funding for three and four year olds. She has completed the NCMA quality assurance scheme, ‘Children Come First’, and also holds a Level 3 childcare qualification.

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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. The childminder has a positive commitment to continuous improvement through continued professional development. The childminder has made a start on completing the Ofsted self-evaluation form and has an additional system of self-evaluation in conjunction with a quality assurance scheme.

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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 all parents to identify learning priorities within the planning  continue to develop the system of self-evaluation in order to identify areas for development to demonstrate how continuous improvement is maintained in a meaningful way.

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provision

The childminder is well organised and demonstrates a significant commitment to continued professional development by keeping up-to-date with current childcare practice through accessing training, through her close links with the local Sure Start centres and liaison with the National Childminding Association. This all This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 contributes very successfully to improving the outcomes for children’s learning.

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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 using observations to identify children's individual next steps in learning. Observations are now used effectively to evaluate learning priorities for the future. The childminder is accredited with the NCMA and has completed their quality assurance scheme, ‘Children Come First’. She has embraced the process of self-evaluation and positively takes into account the views of parents and children and clearly demonstrates what she is doing well. However, the reflection does not effectively identify areas for improvement.

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provision

A comprehensive range of policies and procedures have been devised and all parents are given a copy of them. This ensures that they are implemented by both parties so that all of the children in her care are safe and well cared for. All of the required documents are in place. There are robust procedures for conducting daily checks to make sure that any hazards highlighted through the risk assessment process are minimised or eliminated for indoors, outdoors and outings.

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provision

The children are safeguarded because the childminder demonstrates a clear knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities of how to implement the procedures for child protection if necessary. She has completed several courses within this area which ensures the well-being of the children is maintained and she is up-to-date with current practice. She is fully aware that all adults over 16 years of age in the home have to have a criminal records bureau check.

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provision

Positive feedback from parents on the day of the inspection and through the parent’s self-evaluation clearly demonstrates their appreciation of the service provided. For example, 'You are fantastic and we are so happy, you are so dedicated, going on so much training and gaining qualifications, I would recommend you to anyone’ and ‘we are always included in the setting and celebrate what the children have done at home and with her grandparents’. This demonstrates a successful partnership with parents and contributes to promoting inclusive practice.

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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 positively embraced the changes brought about by the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She does this by providing an extremely 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 are lots of children’s artwork displayed. This demonstrates that the childminder values the children and this helps them to feel a sense of belonging. There is very effective planning for play and exploration both in and outdoors, with a balance of adult-led and child-led activities and spontaneous events that result in children being active learners.

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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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in independently following their own interests. For example, they enjoy being outside riding on the scooters, playing hide and seek, balancing, playing tennis and drawing on the chalkboards. While indoors, the children practised a show that they were going to be performing the following day, with some children telling jokes while others played a musical instrument. They had worked cooperatively to create and display posters for the show. A very warm, caring relationship between the children and the childminder has been established. The children are supported by her extremely well and she ensures that all children feel valued and are included.

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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 and this forms part of an ongoing 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. Positive relationships with other providers delivering the EYFS for children, such as the local nursery, to exchange information about children’s progress are being developed. A minority of parents are effectively contributing to identify learning priorities within the assessment records, however, not all parents. Therefore this has been identified as an area for improvement.

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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 to have an awareness of the seasons through having excellent access to outdoor activities in the garden and a good range of outings. This includes visits to the local Sure Start centre and places of interests, such as the bird garden. An excellent range of resources promotes children’s developing knowledge of other cultures and people from the wider society. For example, through welcome posters in different languages, artefacts and musical instruments from different countries the childminder has visited.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and well-being are well met because children learn the importance of cleanliness through good daily hygiene routines. Children are meticulous at taking their shoes off before entering the house. Children effectively learn the benefits of eating for their healthy growth and development encouraging them to lead healthier lifestyles. For example, good information is provided for parents on how to provide healthy packed lunches and fresh fruit and vegetables are offered by the childminder for snacks. Children have a balance between freedom and safe limits and have the confidence to take risks and try out new skills. They learn how to evacuate the home safely in an emergency because fire drills are practised regularly. Children behave well because the childminder successfully provides a wide range of activities that captures children's interests and, therefore, they behave well. They learn to share and take turns, care about

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and respect each other and other things. Many of the children love to garden and plant seeds and learn to care for plants that they are growing. This is positively encouraged by the childminder being a good role model and children harvest, prepare and eat the vegetables they have grown. 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? 1 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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