Childminder, Out-of school day care in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY343731 Inspection date 05/05/2010 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 2006. She lives with her husband and daughter, aged six years, in the Mirfield area of Dewsbury. There are schools, shops, parks and access to public transport in the local area. The whole ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. There are 25 children on roll, attending on a variable basis and the childminder works with assistants to enhance the care offered to the children. There are three places for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers two places for children aged between six and seven years before and after school, this provision is registered on the Childcare Register. Children occupying these places share the same facilities as the children in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends the local childminder support group and 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Excellent provision in an inclusive, friendly environment enables the children's welfare, learning and development to be fully promoted. Adults in the setting are caring and sensitive to the children's needs and they understand the importance of improving their own knowledge and practice to enhance opportunities for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Highly effective partnerships with parents and others enables each child's individual needs to be met and the children are fully consulted about all aspects of their care. Organisation of the service is excellent, the childminder has a clear sense of purpose and a commitment to continual improvement, with robust and rigorous systems in place to evaluate and monitor the quality of the provision.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 ensuring first aid training for assistants is approved by the local authority and consistent with the guidance set out in the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Safeguarding children is given utmost priority and the childminder is vigilant, knows the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and has a clear and robust procedure in place should any concerns arise. Assistants are fully briefed about all policies and they know how to protect children from abuse. The childminder works very hard to ensure her knowledge and training is up-to-date and this includes attending a range of relevant short courses in addition to working towards a recognised qualification. Assistants have current first aid certificates, although not all reflect training elements specific to children. Excellent organisation of all documentation which fully underpins the childminder's practice is in place and securely filed, with full regard for confidentiality. Comprehensive systems are in place to evaluate the quality of the provision and the childminder actively seeks the views of children and parents to accurately assess the strengths and areas to

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the early years provision

improve. For example, as well as obtaining verbal feedback, children and parents are invited to complete questionnaires about the service and children are asked their views on purchases of new play equipment or trips out.

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the early years provision

Highly effective use of space and resources ensures a child-friendly environment which enables children to explore and take risks whilst being well supervised. Assistants are deployed well to enhance the ratio of care for children and enable each child to enjoy high levels of individual attention. Resources are of excellent quality and used effectively to help children learn and develop. The childminder is very resourceful and is highly proactive in seeking external funding to enhance the quality of the provision, involving children and parents in this process. Thorough procedures are in place to ensure children are safe, the childminder fully assesses any potential risks to children and takes steps to minimise these at all times, whether indoors or on outings. For example, risk assessments are in place and children wear high visibility vests when out walking.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates high levels of commitment to promoting equality within the setting. The children have access to a broad range of resources, play opportunities and activities which reflect diversity and acknowledge cultural differences. Individual needs of children, along with knowledge of what they do at other settings are fully considered when planning activities and the childminder values each child as an unique individual. Engagement with children is a key feature of the quality of the setting and the childminder ensures they have equal opportunities at all times. The children describe the childminder as 'ace', 'cool' and 'a friend' as they express their views on her service. Partnerships with parents and others are strong and fully supportive of each child's individual needs. The children's progress is extensively recorded, building upon initial information gathered through working with parents at the start of each child's placement.

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the early years provision

Parents contribute to ongoing observations of their children by adding anecdotes from home and these help to form a complete picture of their development in their all about me record books. Parents are kept fully informed about all aspects of the provision and matters affecting their children; for example, the entrance to the setting displays plenty of information for parents to read and the childminder keeps them additionally informed through newsletters and memos. Parents are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 extremely happy with the care their children receive, describing the childminder as 'excellent', 'efficient' and 'extremely organised and attentive'.

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and outcomes for children

The children are highly motivated and they thoroughly enjoy their time in the friendly, homely setting. They confidently display very high levels of self-esteem, supported by excellent, caring relationships with the childminder who knows and responds to their individual needs. The children are highly valued and this helps them to feel good about themselves and develop a sense of belonging. For example, they each have their photograph on their own peg and they design their individual placemats, which the childminder laminates for their daily use. The children clearly feel at home in the setting and this is evident through the way they freely select their own resources for play, or rest and relax as they wish to. They assertively introduce themselves to the inspector, having had explanations from the childminder about the inspection. The childminder enables children to feel special by acknowledging and celebrating their birthdays and older children

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and outcomes for children

The childminder follows the children's lead when planning activities and she has an excellent knowledge of each child's development and personal interests, building upon this to provide rich and meaningful experiences. For example, the childminder extends children's interest in vehicles by seeking out opportunities for them to observe and discuss ones they see in the street. Learning is exciting and enjoyable for children and they have fun as they make very good progress in all areas, complemented by high quality interaction with adults. They learn about their environment in fun and interesting ways, such as through growing vegetables and exploring local interactive farms. The children's creative development is fostered through lots of opportunities to engage in role play and they use their imaginations well, such as when playing with dolls or small world figures. The children enjoy experimenting with the different sounds that musical instruments make. The

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and outcomes for children

childminder understands the early language of very young children and she extends their vocabulary through repeating language for them to imitate, praising their attempts to say new words and chatting to them constantly. Very young children enjoy individual attention as they sit comfortably with adults to look at their favourite books over and over, or to enjoy spontaneous cuddles or games of peek-a-boo.

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and outcomes for children

Very effective hygiene measures ensure the children's good health is maintained and they demonstrate high levels of independence in their own personal hygiene routines, using liquid soap and paper towels to minimise the risk of infection when hand washing. Posters at the children's eye level promote healthy living, which reinforces the positive messages given by the childminder. The childminder has full knowledge of children's individual health and dietary requirements and she provides well for these through close liaison with parents. The children thoroughly enjoy a wide range of healthy snacks and meals and they freely access drinks throughout the day. The childminder has achieved a healthy choices award from the local authority in support of her provision. She helps children to appreciate This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 food from other countries during celebrations, such as Chinese New Year and they

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and outcomes for children

attempt to use chopsticks to eat with. The children's understanding of how to stay safe is extremely well promoted and the childminder maximises opportunities to give reminders within the daily routine. For example, children know not to touch the hot tap, not to throw toys and how to evacuate in the event of an emergency, with lovely explanations given.

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and outcomes for children

The children's behaviour is managed very well because the childminder has realistic expectations, based upon their individual levels of understanding. Effective strategies, such as distracting very young children are used and the childminder gives plenty of meaningful praise and individual attention. Stickers are used to reward good behaviour and older children are involved in setting their own high standards for their conduct and safety. For example, they decide on the house rules, make a list of these and display them in words and pictures for all to see. In this way, children are active decision makers and this prepares them very well with skills for the future. 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 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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