Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 320793 Inspection date 02/02/2011 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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 10 in the Chapel Allerton area of Leeds, in West Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor used for childminding and bathroom facilities are on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding six children, on a full and part time basis. Of these, five 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 walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends local toddler and childminding groups. The family have three rabbits, two budgerigars and fish. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is a qualified practitioner to level 3.

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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

On the whole the needs of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are met well. Good attention is given to meeting the learning and development needs of children. Children take part in a wide range of activities and make good progress in all areas of learning. Inclusive practice is promoted well and children are valued and respected as individuals. Partnerships with parents, carers and external agencies are good. The childminder assesses her provision effectively. She identifies areas for improvement and demonstrates a good capacity to continuously improve.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 maintain a record of all accidents to children including minor bumps and scrapes. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 03/02/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 make clear for parents in the written policy the obligation to report any child protection concerns. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

On the whole children are safeguarded well. 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. However, the written policy for child protection states that concerns may be passed to the appropriate authorities; this does not make it clear for parents that it is a duty. Comprehensive written risk assessments are effectively implemented by the childminder to ensure that children are kept from harm. For instance, safety gates are used when children are present. All potential hazards on the premises and on outings are minimised. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and seeks all necessary written consents from parents. A record of accidents and medicines is kept but not all minor accidents are recorded, which is a breach of requirements.

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the early years provision

The home is clean, warm and well maintained and separate towels are used to prevent the risk of any cross infection. A clear sickness policy is implemented. A myriad of toys and recourses are well-organised at a level for the age and stage of each child so that they can access appropriate resources safely and independently. All items used by children are of high quality and in good condition.

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the early years provision

The childminder manages her provision well. She uses effective means to evaluate and improve the service she provides. For example, through attending training and using the childminding website she has produced good risk assessments and updated her written policies and procedures. She meets other childminders regularly to discuss good practice issues and to provide joint activities for children. Such as taking them out for lunch in restaurants. Parents and children are involved in the evaluation process. The childminder regularly seeks the views of parents who state their satisfaction with the service and she involves children directly in planning activities. The recommendations from the last inspection are fully implemented resulting in improvements in child safety and documentation.

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the early years provision

Relationships with parents, carers and the nursery and school where children attend, are good. All the policies and procedures are available to parents and the childminder has recently produced a parent pack. Daily discussions take place and the children's development files are shared with parents every month. The childminder has good links with the staff in nursery and school to ensure that learning is complimented between the settings.

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the early years provision

Inclusive practice is promoted well, and equality and diversity are valued. The childminder requests good information from parents before children begin in order to plan for their specific needs and interests to ensure that they settle well. She celebrates festivals with children and displays interesting posters, such as maps and flags of the world which the children love to talk about. Children eat foods from other countries on a regular basis and the weekly menus include Chinese, Indian and Italian dishes. 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 good progress in their learning and development. Accurate observations and assessments are made by the childminder in the development records. These include what children are interested in and what they are learning, and the childminder is clear about their individual next steps for progression. There are good systems in place to ensure that the six learning areas are consistently covered. The childminder gathers detailed information from parents before children begin their placement in order to plan activities for their individual interests. Plans are used flexibly to follow the direction that children may wish to take, thereby sustaining their interest and promoting children's self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

Effective practices are employed to ensure that children learn how to keep themselves safe. For instance, on outings children learn well about personal safety. They know where they can run and where they must stop, they know the meaning of traffic lights, that red means stop and green means go, and they regularly practise the fire drill.

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and outcomes for children

The children are very happy and settled because the childminder provides a regular routine for them based entirely around their needs. They feel safe and are at ease in their warm and loving relationships with their childminder who provides them with lots of smiles, words of encouragement and practical support. High levels of individual attention are given to children and they are self-assured in their surroundings. Children are very well behaved, they share and cooperate very well and obviously enjoy each other's company. They display good self care skills and can sit at the table to eat and feed themselves and use the potty independently.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder gives healthy nutritious foods to the children. They eagerly tuck in to pasta and tomato sauce followed by pieces of fresh fruit. She teaches them about foods which are good and bad for them and involves them in the preparation of food. Children enjoy being active and exercise is part of the regular routine. They learn how their bodies work in music and movement sessions before lunch and when playing in the garden or at groups.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn well about the world around them because the childminder engages their interest through planned and spontaneous activities. For instance, they visit farms, feed ducks and love to play in the snow. When children comment on the windy weather the childminder extends this conversation and asks them to tell her which items of clothing they will need when they go out. Children communicate well. They talk about what they are doing as they play and are supported well by the childminder. Literacy and problem solving is promoted by reading stories to children and asking questions, such as, 'why is the apple not so heavy any more'? and the children reply 'because the mouse has eaten some'. 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 2 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 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 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 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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