Stack, Mandy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY264317 Inspection date 18/01/2010 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 six and 11 years old on the outskirts of Cleckheaton. The whole of the ground floor of the childminders house, upstairs bathroom 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. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years old at any one time, and is currently providing care for four children in the early years age group, and two 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 a rabbit as family pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy their time in this safe, inclusive and stimulating setting where the childminder provides good support to help them all make progress towards the early learning goals. Effective partnerships with parents ensure that the childminder is familiar with children's individual needs. However, partnerships with other settings which children attend, such as the local pre school, have not yet been developed. The childminder has taken active steps to self-evaluate and review all aspects of her provision, the recommendations made at the last inspection has been fully addressed to ensure the improvement of the provision for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop links with other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to include sharing information about children's progress towards the early learning goals  continue to develop observations and assessment systems to identify next steps.

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the early years provision

The childminder carries out thorough risk assessments of her premises and for specific types of outings, which ensures that children are safe and secure in her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 care. She also ensures that daily safety checks are carried out prior to children arriving. Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a good awareness of child protection issues, and she knows what to do if she has concerns. The childminder has a well written policy relating to safeguarding and this includes all contact numbers. To further protect children, the childminder and her husband have had a criminal record check, and she has attended training in this area.

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes positive relationships with parents, encouraging them to share meaningful information about their children's personalities, family circumstances, interests and skills. Along with her own observations, she uses this information to provide children with a good range of engaging and stimulating activities to help them settle and become confident in her care. The childminder keeps parents informed about her practice through friendly discussions on arrival and departure. She also completes informative daily diaries for younger children, which parents are given opportunities to contribute to along with their profiles. All parents, when spoken to are extremely pleased with the care that their children receive from the childminder. The childminder is aware of the importance of building links with others who may be involved with each child, such as schools and playgroups, however, she has not yet developed relationships to ensure the

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound awareness of the need to promote equality and diversity. She regularly celebrates other culture festivals with the children. The children can access a sound range of resources to reflect all aspects of diversity. For example, a range of books depicting cultures and disabilities, small world, role play and jigsaws.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to improving her childminding practice through ongoing training. She has established an effective system of continuous improvement to ensure that her practice supports children to make good progress. She recognises her strengths and identifies and takes action to address any areas for improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a safe, clean and comfortable home environment, where there is plenty of room for them to play and a good selection of toys and play materials to meet their individual needs. The organisation of child-friendly storage and easily accessible toys boxes, means that children have good opportunities to select their resources and make decisions about their play. For example, children reach for the magnetic drawing board and younger children draw a picture, having good hand and eye coordination. The childminder encourages children to play, getting down on the floor and helping the children to dress the dolls and then pretend to take them for a walk. Children have a good selection of musical toys and happily press buttons and dance to the music. Children's language is effectively promoted as the childminder spends a lot of time talking to the children. She actively engages herself in their play and listens and extends their language in line with their

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and outcomes for children

development. Children have good access to a range of books, and make This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 independent choices of what they would like to read and also make regular visits to the library. Children’s physical development is well promoted as the childminder provides regular opportunities for outdoor play, such as when using the garden, going for walks and visiting the local parks. Additionally, children attend local play groups, soft play and children’s centres and this further promotes their physical and social development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has established a system for observation and assessment and this recognises children's starting points and activities are clearly linked to all areas of learning. However, children's next steps of learning and development are not clearly identified. Children's profiles are easily accessible to parents and contain lots of photographs of activities children are involved in. For example, children playing in the snow, doing jigsaws and painting.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about dangers and how to keep themselves safe, routinely taking part in fire evacuation practises and learning to cross the road safely. The childminder promotes children's health well by taking a range of positive steps to encourage healthy eating and to help them understand the importance of regular exercise. Children have individual towels and also access to wipes to prevent the risk of cross-infection. Their meals are freshly prepared using wholesome ingredients and the childminder is fully aware of dietary needs. Children access drinks in their own cups throughout the visit and ask for fruit which is readily available. Children’s individual needs to rest and sleep are built into their daily routine. A quiet room is available so that children can sleep peacefully and undisturbed.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely happy and settled in the childminder's home. She is very responsive to their needs and ensures they feel comfortable, safe and secure while in her care. Children are well behaved, have good manners and are learning about sharing and taking turns. They respond very well to the childminder's routines and boundaries. They happily help with the tidying up and respond very well to the praise and encouragement she gives them. 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 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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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