Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY389852 Inspection date 09/10/2009 Inspector Helen Blackburn

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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 2009. She lives with her husband and two children aged six years and four years in the Dalton area of Huddersfield, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding, with the exception of the bedrooms.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding seven children in this age group, all of whom attend on a part time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the early years register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to work with an assistant.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and nursery. She attends several toddler groups and childminder support groups on a regular basis. She 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has good relationships with the children and she appropriately recognises and meets their individual needs. The children are happy; they behave in appropriate ways and they have a positive attitude towards their learning. The learning environment is organised so that children can make independent choices in their play and overall, children are provided with experiences that incorporate most areas of learning. Generally, the childminder appropriately safeguards and promotes children’s welfare, although some documentation is lacking and the childminder is in breach of her conditions of registration. The childminder works sufficiently well with parents and others involved in children’s learning and care, contributing to promoting continuity for children. The childminder understands the importance of evaluating her service to bring about improvement and she has some systems in place to support this.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 improve risk assessments, including the record so that it includes all aspects of the environment that need to be checked, information on who conducted it, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 23/10/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  carry out a risk assessment for each type of outing and review it before embarking on each specific outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 23/10/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 improve assessments arrangements so that observations and assessments are matched to the expectations of the early learning goals, used to identify children's learning priorities and to plan relevant and motivating experiences for each child across all areas of learning  continue to develop ways for parents and others involved in children’s learning to contribute to the learning process  provide more opportunities and experiences to help children develop positive attitudes towards diversity and difference so that they learn to value and respect all people in society.

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the early years provision

Overall, the arrangements for promoting and safeguarding children’s welfare are appropriate. However, although the childminder is aware of conditions of registration, on some days she is caring for more children than her conditions of registration allow. This is an offence unless the childminder gives a reasonable excuse. On this occasion, the childminder did so and Ofsted does not intend to take further action. On the whole, the childminder maintains a safe environment for children to play through regularly checking the premises, equipment and resources and by ensuring adequate precautions are in place to minimise risks. She carries out regular risk assessments, within the home and for some outings. She maintains a risk assessment record, however, this lacks relevant information, for example, some areas of the home and outings are omitted and it does not clearly show when and who conducted the check, date of review or action taken, this is a

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the early years provision

breach in a specific legal requirement. Through everyday routines, play and discussions the childminder helps the children to learn about the importance of keeping themselves safe. For example, on outings children practise road safety. In addition, the childminder maintains a varied range of documentation, policies and procedures, which contributes to promoting children’s welfare, such as medication and accident records. The childminder has a sufficient understanding of child protection issues so that she protects children from harm. For example, she has devised a child protection policy that details how she will deal with any concerns and she has access to all the relevant child protection procedures in line with requirements. All adults living or working on the premises have undergone appropriate checks and the childminder supervises all visitors to the home to ensure she keeps children safe.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands the importance of evaluating and monitoring her service and practice so that she identifies areas for development. She has some self-evaluation systems in place and this means the childminder has a realistic view of what action she needs to take to bring about improving outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has sought advice on good practice ideas through talking to other providers, reading early years publications and by accessing some training. She has also attempted to seek guidance and support from her local authority to assist her developing her practice. She welcomes any views from parents and children when evaluating her service, therefore, this ensures any improvements, reflect the service users.

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the early years provision

The childminder has sound relationships with the parents. There is a regular exchange of information regarding children’s individual needs, for example, through discussion and e-mail. This communication contributes to promoting continuity for children. In addition, the childminder’s policies and procedures provide sufficient information on the service provided for children. The childminder understands the importance of involving parents and others, such as school and nursery in children’s learning, however, systems for this are still developing. Through discussion, the childminder regularly shares some information about children’s achievements and progress. However, the childminder has not yet shared her children’s observation and assessment records with parents because they lack some information. The childminder understands the importance of working with other professionals and parents if children need additional support

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has positive knowledge of the learning and development and welfare requirements, which contributes to her appropriately promoting children’s welfare and learning. She has appropriate measures in place to manage illness, infection and hygiene so that she promotes children’s health and well being. Through play and daily routines, the children are beginning to learn about being healthy and the importance of adopting good personal hygiene practices. For example, the children eat a varied range of nutritious meals and snacks and when playing with the pretend food the childminder reinforces the benefits of making healthy choices. The children’s physical skills are developing appropriately because they enjoy being active and taking part in a varied range of physical activities, such as going on walks and playing at the park. Children’s coordination and dexterity skills are developing. For example, when playing with the shape sorters the

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and outcomes for children

children manipulate objects into the correct hole.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has strong relationships with the children and she appropriately meets their needs, building into the day their individual routines, such as sleeping patterns. This promotes security and continuity for children and results in them being happy and settled, which contributes to children feeling safe in the childminder’s care. The childminder is friendly and she provides a welcoming environment for children, where resources are organised at child height so that children can make independent choices in their play. Overall, the resources and activities cover most aspects of learning. However, activities and experiences that support children in learning about diversity and difference are generally focussed on culture and gender, therefore, not fully incorporating all aspects of the diverse society in which children live. In addition to home based activities, the childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

makes use of resources within the local community to extend children’s experiences. For example, children attend the local playgroup, they go on visits in the local area and make use of parks and play areas. The varied range of activities contributes to children making steady progress in their learning. The childminder builds on children’s interests and choices so that they have a positive approach to their learning and enjoy what they do. For example, children use their imaginations as they engage in role play, feeding and settling the dolls to sleep. Through construction activities, such as building towers, the children solve problems as they work out how to connect the bricks to build towers and they demonstrate their emerging pre writing skills as they draw and make marks. Observation, assessment and planning systems are in the early stages of development and through evaluating her practice, the childminder is aware of the shortfalls in her

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and outcomes for children

systems. For example, they lack detail around matching children’s observations to the early learning goals to provide clear focus in identifying children’s learning priorities and planning lacks evaluation to ensure all areas of learning are covered.

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and outcomes for children

The children behave appropriately for their ages and stages of development, they are beginning to form positive relationships with their peers and they are learning about sharing, taking turns and cooperating with others. The childminders use praise well to celebrate children’s achievements and the children respond well to this. For example, children clap with delight as they build towers with the bricks. This contributes to children developing a positive self esteem. Children’s work is valued and displayed around the home and this provides children with a sense of belonging. 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 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

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Stage

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

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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

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR5.4 Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 23/10/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR5.4 Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 23/10/2009

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