Bentley, Fiona Hunter

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY277129 Inspection date 28/09/2009 Inspector Hilary Mary Mckenning

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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 has been registered since January 2004. She is registered to care for four children under eight years and currently cares for six part-time children. She lives with her husband and three children aged 12 years, eight years and four years. They live in a house, in the Moortown area of Leeds and are within walking distance of local schools, toddler groups, shops, parks and bus stops. The ground floor, consisting of a lounge, dining room, kitchen and toilet, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes children to a local toddler group on a regular basis. She is a qualified nursery nurse and 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

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children's sense of belonging is fostered well through the warm, welcoming and homely atmosphere. Children access a wide variety of resources and experiences where they can learn about themselves and explore differences. Interest in the local community is promoted through regular outings and visits.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder regularly consults with parents about their children’s routines and interests in order to meet their individual needs and children are treated with equal concern. Most of the required documentation is in place and maintained appropriately. The childminder recognises the value of continuous improvement and there is a system in place with which the childminder monitors and evaluates the service she offers.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the system of recording fire drills to include details of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  further develop complaints policy in line with current guidelines  further develop observations and assessment to identify the next steps in children's learning and development in order to plan to meet individual children's needs.

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the early years provision

Arrangements regarding safeguarding are good as the childminder has a clear understanding of her role in keeping children safe. There is a selection of policies This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and procedures, which contributes to the operation of childminding practices. All required records and documentation is in place and stored securely, although the complaints policy is not in line with current guidelines. All adults in contact with children have completed the appropriate vetting process. A wealth of policies and procedures are in place, which are shared with parents and implemented well, provide a clear sense of purpose and direction and significantly enhance the care and learning of children. The premises are clean and well maintained and there are appropriate procedures in place to promote the health and safety of the children in her care. For example, the sickness policy is shared with parents and adhered to at

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the early years provision

all times and children are provided with a healthy well balanced range of meals and snacks that meet children's individual dietary needs. Children follow good hygiene routines that are effective in reducing the risk of cross infection, help to keep children safe and promote a good understanding of healthy eating.

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the early years provision

Children and parents are warmly welcomed into the setting. The childminder knows the children in her care very well and liaises closely with parents, therefore children's welfare needs are met effectively. The childminder is committed to the development and improvement of her practice. For example, she monitors and evaluates her service through the use of the self-evaluation form and parents' questionnaires. Parents are given a copy of all policies and procedures as well as any updated versions which ensure they are kept informed about the care their children receive. Parents also engage in daily verbal feedback along with written dairies for younger children.

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the early years provision

The childminder completes suitable risk assessments and areas requiring attention are acted on to ensure that children are kept safe, both in the home and on outings.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely secure, settled and confident in the childminder’s care. The purposely set out play areas are used in an effective manner and all resources are of a good quality. Children's welfare, learning and development is promoted well by the organised and flexible approach of the childminder. She provides activities using a wide variety of resources to meet individual children's interests. Records of children's assessments and photographs evidence her approach to enhancing all aspects of children's care, learning and development. However, observations and assessments do not identify the next steps in children learning. Children show confidence and are comfortable being with the childminder and they play together well. The childminder encourages children’s learning as they count the number of items retrieved from the ‘feely box’.

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and outcomes for children

Children access to a wide range of activities to encourage their independence within the playroom. The children are well behaved and are able to initiate and develop play that interests them. For example, children actively become involved in a creative printing activity, using a variety of objects to make patterns with the glittery paint. They solve problems as they work out the number of bricks they would need to make the two towers the same size. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children make a positive contribution by becoming involved in all areas of play. They are kind, considerate and respect each other and the childminder. They learn about the wider world and its diversity through good examples set by the childminder and they are beginning to appreciate the multi-cultural society we live in. For example, they talk about families, where they live and where friends live,

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and outcomes for children

and take part in other festivals and celebrations. Children excitedly recall when they took part in dressing up to join in the carnival. Children's future economic well-being is fostered through a positive relationship with the childminder and good support and praise from her.

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and outcomes for children

Children share a very warm and caring relationship with the childminder. They are familiar with the play room and children eagerly arrange the place settings in the café and gather a selection of toys as they enjoy a picnic together. An appropriate range of age related activities are offered to extend children's knowledge and learning in a variety of ways. For example, children are beginning to develop a sense of shape and texture as they explore different materials as they play with soft toys which have crinkly, soft, smooth and silky textures, as well as paint. Therefore, they are using their senses and movement to focus, reach and handle objects encouraging exploration and development of their attention skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children are introduced to safety and how to keep themselves safe. For example, children take part in regular fire drills and readily join in a marching song as they follow the exit route. Although a record is kept of when fire drills are conducted, this does not include details of any problems encountered and how they were resolved. The childminder explains why rules are needed and children are involved in safety discussions. They think about road safety during their walk to and from school each day and learn safe practices as they use the large play equipment. 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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