Dalgleish, Kelly

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY290745 Inspection date 09/12/2009 Inspector Jane Elizabeth O'Callaghan

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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 08456 404040, 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.

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

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T: 08456 404040 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

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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.

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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

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and two in the outskirts of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house, two upstairs front bedrooms and bathroom are used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder provides overnight care.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time and is currently providing care for two children in the early years age group and five in the compulsory childcare group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects and takes children to local schools, visits parks and local places of interest. She has rabbits as family pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a level 3 qualification in childcare and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children have a wonderful time with this dedicated childminder and thoroughly enjoy a very interesting and extensive range of play opportunities and outings that supports their learning and development extremely well. All aspects of children's welfare are fully supported and the childminder's practice is inclusive in all respects. Children benefit greatly from the childminder's commitment to maintain exceptionally high standards in all aspects of her childcare and in particular her commitment to attend regular training courses to ensure that her practice is completely up-to-date. The childminder has established highly effective relationships with her parents and other providers to ensure a shared approach to each child's unique learning and development needs.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 develop further the system to record children's starting points

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the early years provision

The childminder's arrangements for safeguarding children are robust. The childminder has a comprehensive awareness of safeguarding issues and is clear on This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the procedures to follow to protect children. For example, an informative safeguarding policy details how children's welfare is protected and includes the procedures the childminder would follow if an allegation was made against her. She has increased her knowledge through attending child protection training and has plans to attend another course in the near future. The environment in which children are cared for is safe and well-organised and children's safety is paramount. For example, the childminder ensures children are closely supervised and supported in their play. Highly effective measures are taken to minimise hazards, including thorough and rigorous risk assessments. The childminder carries

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the early years provision

out risk assessments for all areas of the home, outdoors, all outings taken and the car used for transporting children. She ensures that these are reviewed half yearly and areas are checked daily and recorded, which maintains a safe environment for children. The childminder has robust systems in place for visitors to the home, she insists that they complete a visitors book with time of arrival and departure and checks all identification and has very good systems in place for people collecting children not known to her.

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the early years provision

Well established and purposeful relationships with parents ensures children's care and learning needs are fully promoted. Children and parents are welcomed into the childminder's home and provided with exceptionally good quality information about the setting. For example, a prospectus, questionnaires and home visits prior to children starting. Highly effective daily verbal communication with parents ensures children's needs are fully met. Daily diaries are used to share information about younger children and children with any specific need requirements. Parents are kept fully informed about their children's progress and achievements. For example, children's development files are shared with parents and children's progress is regularly discussed. Highly-effective partnerships are in place with others, such as early years settings, to promote the integration of care and education. For example, the childminder has implemented systems to ensure she is aware of the

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the early years provision

activities and topics children in her care undertake when attending the local nursery and school. She links these in with the planned activities children participate in within the childminding setting. Consequently, children receive continuity in their care and learning. The childminder liaises with external agencies to ensure children are fully supported and their specific needs are effectively met and this is done in close consultation with parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder has worked hard to develop a secure knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and this is reflected in her outstanding practice. Professional development takes high priority and ongoing training effectively consolidates the childminder's knowledge and understanding of children's care, learning and development. The systems the childminder uses to self-evaluate her practice are highly effective and support her ability for continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

Children thoroughly enjoy a very interesting range of resources both indoors and outside and these include toys that support their awareness of diversity. The childminder recognises children's cultural backgrounds and supports all there needs through posters depicting pictures of animals and items in their own language. The childminder celebrates various festivals with all children joining in doing a variety of activities to support the festival. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children's learning is purposefully promoted through the childminder's excellent knowledge of child development and the EYFS. She uses the framework effectively to plan a broad and varied range of play experiences which cover the six areas of learning. Activities are adapted to meet the individual needs of each child and children's learning is positively supported. Children's progress is closely monitored through highly effective observation and assessment systems and the information gained from these is used to plan the next steps in children's learning. However, children's starting points are not always recorded in profiles. The childminder takes lots of photographic evidence of children playing and developing their skills in all areas of learning. For example, baking for Christmas, playing in the sand and water, out on trips in the local environment and doing lots of creative activities. These are all well displayed on walls and in the children's profiles.

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and outcomes for children

Children are eager to attend the setting and settle well with the childminder. They quickly access a vast range of activities on offer for their age and stage of development. The younger children are keen to play on the computer and sit with the childminder and manage on their own to switch it on. With assistance from the childminder the children play appropriate games on the computer and happily press the buttons and move the mouse confidently. Children move around the areas freely, playing with jigsaws, trying to do these with help and assistance from the childminder when needed. The childminder encourages children to develop their communication and literacy skills with an excellent selection of books suitable for all ages. Younger children take care turning the pages of the hard back books and older children can look at a wide variety of story and informative books. Younger children play with an extensive range of technical toys, where they learn

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and outcomes for children

to gain hand and eye coordination by pressing the buttons on the walkie-talkies, toy cameras, mobiles and placing the shapes in the shape sorters. Children enjoy the daily opportunities to access physical play through going into the well resourced garden. For example, trampoline, small trampet, sand, water, large bricks, lots of sit-and-rides for all ages, outdoor chalks and paints, all accessible to children from the toy shed. The childminder ensures that children learn about recycling through helping her to sort out the plastic bottles, trips to the recycling centre and making lots of box craft with waste cardboard. Children socialise well through visits to soft play areas, swimming and meeting children at other childminder's home.

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and outcomes for children

Children's awareness of safety is given high priority to assist them in understanding how to keep themselves safe. They develop an understanding of fire evacuation procedures, road safety and 'stranger danger'. Children learn about the importance of being healthy and become independent in attending to their personal care needs from an early age. They are well nourished through an excellent varied menu of healthy, nutritious snacks and meals cooked by the childminder. More able children are encouraged to prepare and make some of their meals and snacks. The childminder displays a menu for parents to see. There are clear boundaries in place; children are extremely well-behaved. More able children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 devise their own house rules in a competition to find out whose are the best and these are displayed. Children receive consistent praise for all achievements and are

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and outcomes for children

encouraged to show respect for each other and develop good manners. Children clearly enjoy themselves and benefit greatly from the time they spend with the childminder. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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

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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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