Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 319519 Inspection date 28/06/2010 Inspector Thecla Grant

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 registered in 1988. She lives with her husband in the Headingley area of Leeds, close to shops, parks and local transport links. The kitchen/dining room and lounge are used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder works from Monday to Friday between the hours of 7.30am and 5.45pm. The family has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding three children in this age group. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder regularly attends the local toddler groups and childminding drop- in sessions. 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make good progress in their learning and development. Effective systems are in place to promote children's development, although activities are not yet based on their individual interests. Partnerships with parents are strong, but no systems are in place to involve them in the observation process for their children. General systems are in place to develop partnerships in the wider context. Safeguarding procedures are good. The childminder effectively ensures that no group or individual is disadvantaged and fully promotes the welfare of children, especially with regard to healthy lifestyles. She shows a good commitment to improving her setting and has successfully tackled the weaknesses identified from the previous inspection. Plans for future improvements are well targeted.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the safeguarding policy to include procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made  involve parents as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process  develop further information from observations and assessments to plan activities that are tailored to the needs and abilities of the children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has clear policies, strategies and procedures in place to ensure the safeguarding and welfare of the children. She has devised a safeguarding policy, although this does not include the procedures to be followed if there is an allegation of abuse made. The childminder effectively promotes safeguarding procedures with the children. For example, they know not to talk to strangers. She has implemented a robust system to risk assess her setting. As a result, children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. The childminder is highly innovative with regard to promoting healthy lifestyles. For example, her ambition to build an allotment at the side of her garden has now been fulfilled and her plans for the future are well on the way; her compost is developing well. The childminder suitably evaluates her setting and has addressed the weaknesses identified by herself and at her previous inspection.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses her resources exceptionally well to ensure her setting is conducive to the children's learning and takes appropriate steps to ensure it is sustained at a high level. She is committed to keeping abreast of new initiatives in childcare. As a result, the impact of her professional development is seen in the good quality of her setting. The childminder provides a very inclusive setting. She teaches the children sign language from an early age so young children are able to communicate their wants. She also has toys and equipment which reflect positive images of ethnicity and disability. As a result, diversity is seen as a strength rather than a barrier.

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the early years provision

The childminder further extends the service she provides to children by visiting the local drop-in centre. Relationships with parents are well established. Parents are provided with good quality information about the childminder's setting and are involved in sharing information about their children verbally and through a daily diary. However, parents are not yet involved in the ongoing observations of their children, nor are they involved in the evaluation of the setting. The childminder has suitable systems in place to work with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has experience in working with other professionals to benefit children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides an interesting, well equipped and welcoming environment for the children to play and develop. She successfully reflects the children's backgrounds and the wider community through posters on the wall, toys and equipment. The childminder is innovative in supporting children's learning. For example, she uses the chalkboard to encourage the children to display their thoughts on the weather. As a result, young children have displayed the sun to depict the outcome of their discussion. The childminder also uses the chalkboard to display themes relating to the natural world, such as the life cycle of a frog. Children's understanding of the wider world is further developed through visits to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 different places of interests, such as the library, a farm and parks. Children have also visited the fire station and talked to the mounted police. The childminder

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and outcomes for children

develops children's understanding of differences through the celebration of different festivals and the induction of foods from various cultures. Young children have learned to ask for milk, orange and yoghurts through signing. As a result, children are confident and show good levels of self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about healthy lifestyles from an early age. This is significantly enhanced by the childminder's commitment to healthy eating. For example, children are involved in planting a wide range of vegetables. They use the compost they have made from recycling the fruit and vegetables and use it, mixed with soil, to grow their produce. Children know that their crop needs to be watered and do so independently. They are involved in harvesting their produce and tasting what they have grown. Further to this, children learn about sustainability through recycling. As a result, they know which bin each item is deposited in. Children engage in a wide range of physical activities, both at the childminder's setting and on outings. Babies are content and settled because their health, dietary and physical requirements are well met. Young children are secure in the childminder's home and have developed a strong sense of belonging. Although they sometimes

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and outcomes for children

need help to learn how to share, they know the routine and what is expected of them. Children demonstrate their understanding of safety issues through play and constantly take risks in the safe and secure garden.

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and outcomes for children

Children access a wealth of activities at the childminder's setting. For example, they enjoy baking activities, mark making, and arts and crafts. Young children happily explore the properties of sand using a mixture of equipment. They select their favourite book and show an interest in illustrations as they turn the pages. Babies investigate different textiles in their favourite book and explore the doll's feeding bottle with their hands and mouth. They happily move their bodies to nursery rhymes playing in the background. As a result, children are active, inquisitive and independent learners. The childminder has devised observations and assessments for the children. She capably plans for their development and stimulates their interest successfully. However, the observations and assessments in place are not effectively used to plan activities that are tailored to the children's individual interests, and the observations are not always analysed effectively.

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and outcomes for children

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 2 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 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 1 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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