Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY410035 Inspection date 08/11/2010 Inspector Ingrid Szczerban

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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 assesses 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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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 2010. She lives with her partner and two children aged 12 and three, in Wakefield West Yorkshire. The ground floor comprising of kitchen, living room and toilet, is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play and the family have a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum number of five children at any one time. She is currently caring for three children, two of whom are in the early years age range. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, and both the compulsory and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from school each day and makes regular visits to toddler groups with 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The welfare needs of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are met. Satisfactory attention is given to meeting the learning and development needs of children. Children take part in a range of activities and make steady progress in all areas of learning. Inclusive practice is promoted and children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder has begun to assess her provision and can identify areas for improvement. She demonstrates the capacity to continuously improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 devise a system for self-evaluation and include parents and children in the process  maintain a record of the risk assessment for taking and collecting children from school  improve children's abiltiy to choose and access equipment independently.

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the early years provision

Children are adequately safeguarded. All adults in the home have appropriate checks and the childminder has a clear understanding of how to report any concerns she may have about children. The childminder keeps a log of all visitors during childminding hours. On the whole the written risk assessments are effectively implemented and reviewed by the childminder to ensure that children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are kept from harm. However, there is no specific risk assessment for the daily walks to and from school. All potential hazards on the premises are minimised; electric sockets are covered and cleaning chemicals are inaccessible. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and seeks all required written consents from parents.

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the early years provision

The home is clean, warm and well-maintained and separate towels are used by children to prevent the risk of any cross-infection. A clear sickness policy is implemented. Toys are stored at child-height and some can be accessed freely. However, children's ability to be independent and make decisions is limited because some of the storage boxes are so large that children cannot see what is inside nor can they lift or empty them without adult help.

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the early years provision

Equality and diversity are valued. The childminder finds out about each child in order that she can successfully provide for their individual learning and they feel welcome. She follows routines from home so that children settle in well. The resources that children use and the food that they eat, reflect positive aspects of diversity, which means that they begin to learn to appreciate similarities and differences.

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the early years provision

At the time of this inspection the childminder has only recently started childminding and has made a positive start to managing her provision. She uses basic means to evaluate and improve the service she provides but has not yet established a system for self-evaluation which covers all aspects of the service. The recommendations made at the registration visit have been implemented to improve safety for children. The flagstones have been laid in the garden. The childminder has followed advice from a local sure start centre about how to keep development records for children and she has identified further training to attend. She seeks the views of parents through discussions and asks if they are satisfied with the service. Parents spoken with at the inspection confirm their satisfaction with the childminder and state they have noticed progress in their child's communications skills. Children's interests are taken account of when planning

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are satisfactory. The childminder gathers information from parents prior to admission, enabling her to effectively meet individual children's needs and to help with settling-in. Parents are informed of their child's daily activities verbally at drop-off and collection times. The childminder shows parents their child's development file and learning, such as singing songs, is shared between the settings. Satisfactory links are made to share information with the nursery where children attend, and so the childminder ensures that individual learning is complemented. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The children make steady progress in their learning and development. The childminder has begun to make observations and assessments for children in development records. These include what children are doing and their next steps for progression. The childminder has a basic level of knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how to assess children's progress across the six areas of learning. She uses information from parents before children begin their placement in order to plan activities for their individual interests. Written plans of activities are used flexibly to follow the direction that children may wish to take, thereby sustaining their interest and promoting children's self-esteem and creative ideas. For example, children use the small furniture in the kitchen to enjoy painting activities, when they are finished, they decide to place the chairs in a row and pretend they are going on a bus trip.

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and outcomes for children

Effective practices are employed to ensure that children learn how to keep themselves safe. The childminder talks with the children about the need to be careful when they walk on wet leaves on the way to school and they practise the fire drill. The children are happy and settled because the childminder provides a regular routine for them based entirely around their needs. For instance, regular mealtimes and attending nursery sessions. They feel safe and are at ease in their warm relationships with their childminder who provides them with lots of smiles, praise and encouragement. Good levels of individual attention and support are given to children, they are self-assured and well-behaved.

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and outcomes for children

Children display good levels of concentration and communicate effectively because the childminder engages with them as they play. They chatter away as they play and show interest in colours and matching as they complete jigsaw puzzles. Children learn to respect their environment. They remove their shoes in the home and are reminded by the childminder not to stand on the sofa

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and outcomes for children

Regular visits to toddler groups helps shy children to be more out-going and develop their social skills. They learn to share and take turns. Healthy lifestyles are promoted. The childminder gives healthy, nutritious foods to children, such as home-made shepherd's pie with peas and mushrooms. She does baking with them and they are sometimes involved in the preparation of food. Children receive fresh fruit each day and they help themselves to drinks. Children like to be active. They play in the garden, walk to nursery each day and can balance on raised kerbing around trees. They build their stamina and their health benefits from being in the fresh air. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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: 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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