Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY257864 Inspection date 18/02/2010 Inspector Liz Whitehead

p.1

Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2003 and lives with her husband and two children aged seven years, and two years in Moortown, a suburb of Leeds. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a dog.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is able to care for a maximum of four children under eight years, with no more than two in the early years age group at any one time. There are three children in the early years age group on roll. They are taken and collected to and from school and access local groups. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder establishes effective relationships with parents and other settings, which enables her to meet the individual needs of children. They make appropriate progress in all areas of learning, however, the childminder does not receive full information when beginning to care for children. Most of the required documentation is in place, maintained confidentially and is readily available for inspection. The childminder mostly promotes children's health and safety.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 obtain information regarding what children know and can do when they first attend  improve knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children and update records in line with current legislation  provide opportunities to enable children to independently access drinks  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for each type of outing.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic about her role and suitably implements the Early Years Foundation Stage into her daily practice. This enables her to meet the children's individual needs and satisfactorily promote the outcomes for children. The many policies and procedures appropriately contribute towards the children's health and safety. However, some have not been updated in line with the current legislation. The childminder takes appropriate steps to keep children safe, for example, she ensures that rugs are secured to the floor to prevent children from This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 slipping. She completes regular risk assessments, although those for outings are still being developed to minimise hazards to children on some outings. The childminder consistently maintains accident and medication records, although she has a limited knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse

p.4

the early years provision

and neglect, which does not fully safeguard children. All adults living on the premises have undergone all the required suitability checks.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder successfully establishes professional partnerships with parents. She ensures that children feel fully settled and secure within her setting, through the effective settling in procedure. This is individually tailored to each family's needs. The childminder knows the children well and works closely with parents to meet children's differing needs and to enable them to make steady progress towards the early learning goals. Daily discussions, supplemented with telephone calls, keep parents informed regarding their children's care and learning. Appropriate links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage ease children's transition between settings. The childminder appropriately develops children's awareness of the local community through regularly visiting groups, parks and a farm. They are learning about diversity through resources and activities based on festivals from around the world, such as making lanterns to

p.5

the early years provision

celebrate Chinese New Year. The childminder is beginning to reflect on her practice, and through discussion, seeks the views and opinions of the children and parents to enhance the service she provides. She highlights areas for improvement and takes appropriate action to implement these, for example, preparing an area for children to grow vegetables to further develop their awareness of healthy eating.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy physical activity on a daily basis through walking to school and playing in the garden and at the park. The childminder actively develops children's awareness of good personal hygiene, through encouraging them to cover their mouths as they cough. Children are very familiar with the routine of regularly washing their hands and know this is important 'to get rid of germs'. They are encouraged to make healthy choices and enjoy a wide range of fruits, including guava, cape gooseberries, pineapple and mango. Drinks are available with meals and at set times throughout the day. However, they are not readily available for children to independently access to develop their awareness of being thirsty. Children learn about keeping themselves safe as the childminder consistently offers explanations during their daily play. For example, she stresses why it is important to fasten the safety strap on the highchair so the doll does not fall out. Regular

p.5

and outcomes for children

evacuation practises ensure that children are fully aware of how to leave the home quickly and safely in an emergency.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are keen to learn. They enjoy independently accessing the suitable range of toys and resources which the childminder thoughtfully sets out. These are appropriate to the children's ages and stages of development to appropriately promote their learning and development. However, the childminder does not obtain information regarding children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 achievements and abilities when beginning to care for them. She carries out regular observations, which are linked to the areas of learning, and is beginning to plan the next steps in individual children's development. Children behave well and know what is expected of them through the consistent and realistic boundaries set by the childminder, who praises and supports them in their play. She gently reminds the children to share the toys and when appropriate she distracts them to

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are confident communicators and eagerly initiate conversations with adults. They enjoy practising early writing skills and are really proud as they make marks and begin to learn that these are used to form letters and words. Children are learning about space and position, and describe toys as being 'in the box' and 'under the table'. The childminder naturally develops children's awareness of number as they discuss the numbers on the jigsaw puzzles. Children concentrate well and learn about solving simple problems as they work out where the pieces fit. They are really proud as they are rewarded with music through pressing the correct buttons on simple programmable toys. Children are developing effective skills for the future as they discuss appropriate clothes to wear in different weather conditions. They learn to care for others as they cuddle and feed the dolls. The childminder actively develops children's awareness of protecting the environment

p.6

and outcomes for children

and regularly includes them in collecting leaves to make compost in the brown bin and sorting items for recycling in the green bin. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

p.7

Stage

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8