Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 512038 Inspection date 24/01/2011 Inspector ISP Inspection

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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 January 2001. She lives with her husband, who is also a registered assistant, and four children in the Meanwood area of Leeds. Local amenities, such as, shops, post office, parks, children's centre, and schools are all within walking distance. The dining kitchen, designated play room and bathroom facilities on the first floor of the home are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a cat as a pet.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. When working with an assistant she is able to care for a total of eight children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than five may be in the early years age range. There are currently five children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder supports children for whom English is an additional language. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and runs a parent and child group twice a week. She is a member of an approved childminding network and the National Childminding Association. The childminder is a childcare partner with the local children's centre and holds a diploma in home based childcare and a level 4 in adult education. She is also currently in receipt of funding for early education for three and four-year-olds.

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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

The childminder provides a rich and varied environment which effectively supports children's learning and promotes all aspects of their welfare successfully. All aspects of health, safety and early skills for the future are outstanding. She meets the needs of all children very well through recognising their uniqueness and valuing this. Highly positive relationships with parents and other professionals ensures that continuity of learning and progress is ensured and children make good progress in their learning and development. Parents involvement in supporting their children's learning is generally positive. The childminder is motivated and confident about what she needs to do and action plans that are in place for future developments are well targeted to bring further improvement to the provision and outcomes for children.

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further?

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 continue to develop self-evaluation and reflection systems to identify strengths and areas for development that will improve outcomes for children and the overall provision  develop the ways in which parents are given tailored advice about how they can support and extend their children's learning in meaningful ways.

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the early years provision

Effective steps are taken to keep children safe and promote their welfare. A good knowledge of child protection issues through regular training ensures that the childminder understands and implements relevant safeguarding guidance. She is confidently able to follow such procedures in the event of a concern being raised and to record, report concerns and share information with key agencies. Comprehensive checks and detailed risk assessments ensure that risks are well managed and minimised. Furniture, toys and equipment are of a high quality. The childminder organised her home effectively and efficiently, providing a stimulating environment indoors and outdoors, which promotes independence and gives children the confidence to explore and learn. The childminder is committed to recycling and encourages children to have respect for their environment and resources. For example, resources are not wasted and children help to recycle

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the early years provision

paper and re-use yogurt pots and boxes for junk modelling.

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the early years provision

A clear commitment to continual professional development ensures the childminder learns new skills, keeps up to date with changes, use the knowledge gained to provide good quality care and education and improve outcomes for children. The childminder also shares good practice and has mentored and delivered training to other providers. Equality and diversity is actively promoted and the childminder is proactive in helping children to understand about the world they live in. A wide range of meaningful resources, food tasting and music from other cultures helps children to develop positive attitudes towards others and learn about differences. The childminder also provides dual language resources and learns key words from their first language. Tracking documents ensure that any additional needs and variations in learning and development are identified and addressed so that children get the support they need.

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the early years provision

Children and parents have good opportunities to share information and be involved in some decision making about the provision. For example, parents and children were able to make suggestions for the re-designing of the outdoor area and what equipment they would like to have. The childminder uses the Ofsted self- evaluation form and regular parental questionnaires alongside informed discussions to evaluate her service although, it is not fully robust. Information from questionnaires and evaluations systems ensure that there is a generally an accurate diagnosis of strengths and weaknesses and previous improvements, including recommendations raised at the last inspection have had positive outcomes for children. The childminder strongly contributes to developing good partnerships with others. She ensures that information is shared regularly to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

promote children's achievements and well-being. In addition she is effective at developing children's emotional, social and mathematical skills to prepare them for transition to school and promote continuity in their learning.

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the early years provision

Highly positive and well-established relationships with parents ensure that the childminder has a good understanding of children's backgrounds and meets their individual needs well. This has a positive impact on children's development and learning. As a result, parents comment 'we feel it's a real partnership with my child's needs and development at the centre' and 'we are fortunate to have found such excellent, individual tailored care'. A two-way flow of information knowledge and expertise between parents ensures that they are kept up to date and well informed of their children's achievements, well-being and development. A daily diary and written records are shared with parents, who are encouraged to contribute to them and the childminder helps parents to support their children's learning, although this is general and not tailored, precise guidance.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and confidently applies this in practice to support children's learning and development. Good quality observations, assessments and monitoring systems ensure that children's next steps are identified and used to plan for future development. A wide range of exciting and challenging but achievable activities are planned to meet children's individual needs and address any gaps in achievement. Detailed mid and short-term planning is based around themes and covers all six areas of learning. The childminder supports children's learning by sensitively involving herself in children's play and effective questioning techniques help children to communicate and improve thinking skills. As a result, children make good progress in their learning and development, given their starting points and capabilities. Children have outstanding opportunities to gain skills in

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and outcomes for children

communicating, numeracy and progress in developing information and communication technology skills. They thoroughly enjoy role play, which is based on real life experiences, such as using a cash till and credit card machine. Children also understand that tools are used for a purpose and use a play knife to cut bread. Children are able to solve problems and find other tools to cut the bread more effectively. Children develop an awareness of numbers, shape and size through everyday play, action rhymes and specific activities that promote early counting skills.

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and outcomes for children

An exciting outdoor area gives children innovative opportunities to learn about the importance of exercise and develop physical skills. The childminder has secured funding to provide an extremely well-equipped outdoor area and wheeled toys and balancing equipment help children to gain strength and co-ordination. Children select from a wide range of puzzles, which meet their varying abilities and enjoy working together to find the right pieces successfully. The childminder enhances this activity by repeating the names of objects and encouraging children to identify familiar objects whilst praising them for their efforts. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder promotes children's health and well-being exceptionally well and views this as integral to their emotional social development. Young children's emotional needs, dietary and care routines are extremely well met. Clear well

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and outcomes for children

established routines allow children to take some responsibility. They join in with manageable tasks, which keep them interested and allow them to take appropriate risks and handle equipment safely, such as cutting a banana for snack time. Children greatly benefit from freshly prepared, home grown organic meals, which meet dietary requirements and promote healthy growth and development. Children are also involved in baking bread and developing their tastes by sampling food from other countries. The childminder takes excellent steps to promote sustainability and children are involved in exciting opportunities to plant and grow things. For example, children have grown peas, beans, tomatoes and potatoes which they picked and ate. They also visit the childminder's allotment and fresh organic produce is collected and used for meals, any surplus is shared with parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely well settled and demonstrate a strong sense of security. Displays of art work and hand prints of each child attending give them a real sense of belonging. Children happily leave the childminder's side and play independently. They also demonstrate an excellent understanding of safety and boundaries. For example, children do not go past the safety gate and wait until the childminder accompanies them to another area of the home. The childminder's vigilance and commitment to children's safety ensures that good safety measures are used to prevent accidents. In return, children avoid dangerous areas, such as the kitchen.

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and outcomes for children

Positive strategies, such as distraction, house rules and clear and realistic boundaries ensue that children respond to the expectations of childminder. The childminder takes into account children's emotions and feelings, and clear routines keep them safe. As a result, children behave exceptionally well and happily share resources with each other. Parents also appreciate the strategies used and have commented that 'children know where they stand and have fun with firm and consistent boundaries'. The childminder promotes positive behaviour by giving lots of praise and attention to make children feel valued. She is a good role model and rewards good behaviour by allowing children to choose next activity. 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 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 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 2 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 2 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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