Mitchell, Richard

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY260694 Inspection date 07/12/2009 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 2003. He lives with his wife who is a co minder and children aged 15, 14, 11 and nine years old on the outskirts of Bradford. The whole of the ground floor of the childminders house, upstairs bathroom and all of the bedrooms, except for the main bedroom are used for childminding, and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. He is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years old at any one time, and is currently providing care for nine children in the early years age group and five in the compulsory childcare group. When working with another childminder, may care for a maximum of 12 children under eight years old at any one time.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects and takes children to local schools, visits parks and places of interest. He has a dog, cats, hamsters and rabbit as family pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a level 4 in childcare, and is quality assured with the network 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 thrive in a setting that clearly recognises their uniqueness and individuality. Each child receives excellent support according to their individual needs enabling them to take part in all activities in a fully inclusive way. The children make very good progress in their learning, and benefit greatly from the very broad range of activities provided. The childminder continually strives to offer the very best possible care and education for the children. Through very good self- evaluation he maintains the continuous improvement in the service he provides. The childminder offers a fully inclusive, welcoming provision that is very effective in meeting the childcare needs of parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 developing further children’s awareness of what procedure to follow in the event of an emergency evacuation. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are effectively protected as the childminder has a comprehensive awareness of safeguarding issues. He has attended regular training and is confident in implementing the appropriate procedures, should any concerns arise. The childminder has robust policies and procedures in place, which are reflective of the setting's practice and shared with parents. The childminder ensures that all children's safety remains paramount through effective processes, such as, ensuring children are never left unsupervised with persons who have not been vetted. Extensive risk assessments for all areas of the childminder's home, resources and individual outings ensure children's safety is protected. The childminder regularly reviews and dates all of the risk assessments to ensure children's safety.

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the early years provision

Parents are kept fully informed about their children's progress and are fully involved in their children's learning. Robust communication systems, such as, a detailed induction process, daily diaries, newsletters, questionnaires and an informative notice board, ensure communication is maintained on a productive level. Parents have full access to their children's very informative profiles. The childminder knows individual children exceptionally well and is able to meet their needs effectively. A high level of consistency is maintained for the children as the childminder works competently with external agencies, such as, the local school, speech therapists, nurseries and preschools. As a result, all children's learning, development and welfare are successfully promoted.

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the early years provision

The childminder holds a level 4 qualification in childcare and regularly updates his knowledge and understanding through attending relevant training, and through his co-minder cascading any training that she has attended. The childminder constantly evaluates the service he offers in order to identify any improvements that can be made to the benefit of the children. To this end, the childminder has identified that he would like to alter the outdoor area, so it is more user friendly to all of the children, with the help of some additional funding that is due.

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the early years provision

The childminder is fully committed to inclusion and values diversity and respects differences, which is reflected in all aspects of his service. Children have access to a meaningful range of activities and resources, including an extensive range of books and puzzles of a multicultural nature and small figures, which promote a positive view of the wider world and increase their understanding of diversity and consideration of others.

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and outcomes for children

Children are highly engaged in the stimulating experiences provided, as the childminder successfully places a high emphasis on learning through play and provides an extensive range of activities that are easily accessible to children. All of the resources are very clearly labelled and accompanied by pictures, making it easy for children of all ages to recognise the toys. All children are equally involved This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in the activities provided as the childminder is proficient in adapting the situation. For example, children are experimenting and making shapes and patterns with play dough, and younger children explore the play dough with their hands. The childminder talks to children and conversations arise about the new baby sister born today, and the child explains 'I am a big brother.' Together the childminder and children make birthday cakes and they confidently count the seven candles on

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and outcomes for children

the cake, and then pretend to blow them out. More able children can access technology through the television and the computer with the supervision of the childminder. Younger children play with castles and independently press the buttons for the tunes, and then with their friends make implements from the large construction for the castle. The childminder engages extremely well with all of the children, having fun as children imagine to be cushions, and he pretends to fall asleep and rearrange the cushions, children laugh and giggle. The childminder ensures all children receive daily physical activities, through indoors dancing, stepping on the indoor stepping stones. Children also access a good outdoor area, where there are extensive choice of toys and activities. For example, sand, water, basket ball, large outdoor wooden bricks, slide, sit-in train and various ball activities. Children also go on walks within the local community and visit place of

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and outcomes for children

interest, where also social skills are being developed. The childminder encourages children to learn about the wider world through a vast selection of toys that reflect all areas and the celebration of different cultural festivals. The children recently asked about why the schools are closed, and the childminder explained that some children are celebrating Eide and talked to them about how it is celebrated, through books and illustrations.

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and outcomes for children

Robust planning systems are in place for all children and are also individualised for each child attending the setting, identifying their goals and ensuring they are realistic, challenging and achievable. The childminder's flexible approach to planning activities ensures their interests are incorporated, making play more enjoyable and meaningful to them. The childminder ensures that all six areas of learning are covered when planning play activities, and spontaneous and focused observations are linked clearly to the six areas of learning, identifying any gaps. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their children's learning and have regular access to their child's profiles in which they write their own comments.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder ensures that the setting is safe for all children and they learn about tidying away toys and not running in the home. He ensures that visitors sign in, fire evacuation procedures are displayed throughout the home and fire drills are practiced. However, not all children are made fully aware of the fire drill procedure. Children follow very good health and hygiene procedures, they are encouraged to wash their hands using individual towels. The children can follow clear instructions of how and why to wash hands through clear posters displayed in the toilet. Children also freely ask to use the anti bacterial gel after playing with messy play and also after helping to wash the tables ready for lunch. Children receive a healthy nutritious meals and snacks which are displayed on the notice board for parents. Throughout the day children independently access drinking water from a jug within easy reach for them and choose from a wide selection of

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from consistent and familiar routines, with boundaries and rules This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 that offer security and a sense of calm. The childminder displays on the notice board a colourful selection of house rules with clear pictures and understanding for children of all ages. Praise is used to excellent effect during children's play and as a result, they are confident and develop high levels of self-esteem. The childminder encourages children to share and take turns and consequently, they begin to understand how their behaviour affects others. Children play in a friendly and caring environment where all their needs and support are met. 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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