Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 310902 Inspection date 09/04/2010 Inspector Paula Fretwell

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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 was registered in 1993. She lives with her partner, who assists with the childminding, and two sons in Mirfield. There are schools, shops, parks and access to public transport in the local area. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog, cat, guinea pig and a mouse.

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Description of the childminding

There are three places for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers three places for children aged between six and seven years before and after school. This provision is registered on both parts of the Childcare Register. Children occupying these places share the same facilities as the children in the early years age range. The childminder has six children on roll.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. 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's welfare, learning and development requirements are very well met, in a friendly, inclusive environment. The childminder is highly organised, enthusiastic and offers an excellent range of activities to support children's individual needs, based upon their interests and abilities. Very positive partnerships with parents contribute to the development of each child and the childminder is developing links with other providers to enhance opportunities for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder understands the provision's strengths and areas to improve and she is developing systems to evaluate and monitor the quality of 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?

 continue to develop systems for evaluating and monitoring the practice, including the views of parents and children  continue to establish and develop links where children attend other settings that provide the EYFS in order to enhance their learning and development opportunities  ensure all large equipment used by children is in good repair, such as the trampoline. 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 well safeguarded because the childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of how to protect them from abuse and neglect. She has clear procedures for reporting concerns or allegations and these are shared with parents. The childminder is vigilant about children's security and ensures all those who come into contact with children are suitable, clearly recording visitors to the setting and keeping doors and gates locked. The premises are fully accessible to wheelchair users and the childminder has made adaptations to her home to facilitate this. Children's play is safely managed with effective organisation of space and resources. They independently select from a varied range of toys and equipment, most of which is in good condition. The childminder closely supervises children using the outdoor equipment, although the trampoline is showing signs of wear and tear and may pose a hazard. Children enjoy playing with suitable

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the early years provision

recycled materials, such as plastic bottles, and the childminder uses these to good effect, such as to make skittles. All required documentation for the efficient management of the service is very well maintained and confidentially stored. Risk assessments and daily checklists help the childminder to consider potential hazards and she develops children's awareness of staying safe, through simple rules and appropriate explanations. On outings, the childminder ensures children's safety through using high visibility jackets and identification badges.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of local facilities and places of interest. Systems for self-evaluation are developing but these have yet to become established to fully support the ongoing development of her practice. The childminder gives very high priority to improving the quality of the early years provision and fully promoting inclusion within the setting. Children's understanding of diversity is developing very well through the wide range of activities and experiences provided. Links are being established with other settings that children attend, to ensure consistency in children's learning objectives. Parents are fully involved in what their child has been doing, as the childminder shares key information, as well as verbal discussions each day. Individual records of children's progress, with photographs and examples of their activities are available for parents to share. The childminder's notice board is very informative and there is plenty of information for

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the early years provision

parents to easily access. Parents speak very highly about the standard of care their children enjoy and they praise the childminder's resourceful approach to the service she provides, saying that she 'goes the extra mile'. The childminder recognises that each family is unique and she tailors her service according to their needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy, settled and at home in the setting and they enjoy close and supportive relationships with the childminder. She listens actively to children and gives them plenty of time to talk and respond to questions. Children enthusiastically engage and lead play of their own choice and they have fun This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 opportunities which promotes their learning across all areas. They love to explore the outdoors and the childminder gives them plenty of freedom to develop their physical skills or examine insects and plants, joining in when requested. For example, they involve the childminder in starting running races and she waves the flag and cheers them on, or she helps them to look at worms or spiders in their webs. The childminder has a very good knowledge of each child's personality, abilities and individual needs and she uses observations of their play to plan

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and outcomes for children

appropriately for the next steps in their learning and development. Children explore opposites as they play, talking about fast and slow, up and down. They enthusiastically explore a range of media, such as play dough and sand. The childminder adapts activities, enabling all children to be equally included and challenged at their own pace. Children's independence is fully promoted and they become very competent and confident in their daily routine and self-care, equipping them with skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted well because there are effective and informative routines in place for personal hygiene and preventing the spread of infection. Very young children use a picture sequence chart to help them understand bathroom routines and they have good individual hand-washing facilities. Children enjoy a very healthy diet and the childminder works with parents to ensure their children's nutritional needs are met. Children enjoy sitting together for meals and snacks and they sit outdoors in nice weather. They chat about what they like to eat and they are developing a good understanding of healthy eating through discussion and resources, such as 'the healthy plate' illustration. The childminder is fully aware of how to support children's particular dietary needs according to their requirements. Children learn about other cultures through activities with food, such as exploring the 'Japanese Bean Festival'. Children are encouraged to make their own healthy

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and outcomes for children

choices of food and drink, and the childminder shows them cartons of fruit juice so they can see what they would like.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a lively, fun and consistent approach and she joins in with children's play to help them learn how to behave well and cooperate with each other. Children are learning to share and take turns and the childminder reinforces this through gentle reminders and role modelling. They enjoy receiving praise and encouragement for good behaviour and this motivates them to behave well and in turn the children praise the childminder and each other. Children are considerate of each others' needs, such as when their peers feel tired and they tell the childminder, or they help each other with small tasks, such as putting on their shoes. 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 1 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 1 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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