Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY301073 Inspection date 28/01/2011 Inspector Melissa Patel

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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 2005 and works alongside another registered childminder. She lives with her partner and three children, aged 16, six and four years. They live in Bramley, which is an area of Leeds, in West Yorkshire. The setting is close to shops, parks and transport links. The bathroom, front bedroom on the first floor and the whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. When working with another childminder she may care for a total of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age. She is currently minding six children, of whom three are in the early years age range and they are cared for on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over eight years. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects and takes children to local schools and nurseries. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder has links with other early years provisions.

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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 childminder promotes the Early Years Foundation Stage appropriately overall. Children participate in varied activities that promote their learning suitably towards the early learning goals, although activities do not always present maximum challenges to extend children's learning. Safety requirements are suitably maintained overall. Partnerships with parents work appropriately in promoting children's well-being, and there are some established links with other provisions where children may attend in the future, to support children. Evaluation systems are informal and promote appropriate progress of the provision overall.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the resources and the organisation of the environment to support diversity  extend challenges for children and ensure opportunities are not missed during activities to fully extend children's learning  improve the security of the safety fastener on the low cupboard in the kitchen This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  extend the labelling in the environment to support children's understanding that words have meaning.

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the early years provision

Suitable safeguarding systems are in place to keep children protected, which supports their welfare. For example, all adults who have contact with the children have undergone appropriate background checks and children in the home whom have recently turned sixteen are in the process of undergoing background checks. The home environment is appropriately maintained to promote children's safety overall, although a safety fastener on a low cupboard in the kitchen is not fully secure, which presents a potential hazard to children. The record of risk assessments are clear and help identify and reduce most risks to children.

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the early years provision

The space in the home is arranged appropriately overall to support children's learning and welfare. The childminder supports equality and diversity through ensuring that children learn about some of the differences in peoples lifestyles positively. However, the environment is not arranged to maximise, signs, symbols, notices, words and toys to support different customs and lifestyles, to extend children's learning regarding the diversity of people. The childminder works with another childminder daily. They work closely alongside each other to support the children they care for. The childminder's are aware of their role in the setting to support children's overall welfare and learning appropriately.

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the early years provision

The childminder works with the parents to support the children she cares for suitably. For example, clear information is gathered regarding children's individual routines and the policies and procedures are shared. The childminder obtains permissions from the parents, such as for outings and emergency medical consent. Development profiles are readily available to discuss with parents to support children's learning. The childminder has established some suitable links with other provisions that children may attend in the future, to help support their transition to these settings and to promote their overall welfare.

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the early years provision

The progress of the childminding provision is monitored in partnership with the co- childminder. The Early Years Foundation Stage documents are frequently referred to and therefore, the requirements are appropriately met overall. The childminder has improved safety to the back doors of the provision effectively, by making it easier to exit the premises in an emergency and at the same time maintaining security. In addition, since the last inspection the childminder has made some positive improvements with regard to the recommendations raised. For example, the resources are now more accessible and at low level, aiding children's choice and independence skills. The childminder is following the children's interests more to sustain their interests through activities and the observations carried out are used appropriately overall, to plan for children's individual learning needs. These improvements support children suitably.

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children experience an appropriate range of activities overall, to help them progress towards the early learning goals. For example, the children are developing skills for the future well as they operate buttons on the children's computer, they are also developing their hand and eye co-ordination with this activity. They listen to the sounds the equipment makes, supported appropriately by the childminder. Children enjoy fitting toys onto the toy trucks and they build a tower, developing an appropriate understanding of size and space. However, at times there are missed opportunities to maximise learning and challenges for children through consistently using mathematical language, such as on, under and over and reinforcing colours consistently during activities. Children are developing their early reading skills looking at books and listening to stories, although the labelling in the environment is not maximised to reinforce children's understanding

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and outcomes for children

that words have meaning. Children's self-esteem is supported well as the childminder reassures them as they achieve a task, such as when building a tower.

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and outcomes for children

Children play happily in the environment. They demonstrate this as they smile frequently and respond appropriately to the childminder. The childminder has a suitable understanding of the learning and development requirements overall to support children's progress across the areas of learning. This is demonstrated through the observation systems in place that are used to support children's individual needs appropriately. Plans are made to help children progress with physical and language skills, for example, children are supported in listening and copying sounds. In addition, plans are made to help children explore the environment outdoors. Children are developing a suitable understanding about the wider world and diverse communities. For example, they learn about how guide dogs are trained to help partially sighted people. However, the presentation of images, signs, symbols, and resources within the environment are limited to

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and outcomes for children

further embrace diversity and to further extend children's understanding regarding different cultures and customs.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave safely at the childminder's, handling resources appropriately. They are learning to keep themselves safe with support from the childminder. For example, they practise the fire evacuation procedure and they can explore a safe environment. Children are helped to stay healthy as they are cared for in a hygienic environment and they learn suitable hygiene routines, such as hand washing. Children have a choice of fruit at snack time and they can freely access water or dilute juice. The parents provide most of their children's meals. Children are active outdoors. For example, they can use a variety of equipment in the garden, such as sit and ride-on toys and they can dig in the sand. Children also go on regular outings to local parks, where they receive fresh air whilst developing their physical skills well overall. 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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