Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 319537 Inspection date 27/01/2011 Inspector Shazaad Ashad

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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 1986 and she lives with her husband and three adult children in the Chapel Allerton area of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor is available for children. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play. The childminder's home is close to local amenities, including a library, parks and shops.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. There are currently 11 children on roll of whom six are in the early years age range. She also provides care for children over five years of age. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has a Level 3 Childcare qualification and has received the Silver award for Quality Assurance. The childminder has been selected as a partner childminder to work alongside the local children's centre.

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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

Children are progressing exceptionally well in their learning and development as the childminder uses her extensive knowledge and childcare experience to promote all areas of learning. Children's welfare needs are exceptionally well met. Her practise and knowledge are underpinned with thorough documentation which is very well organised. Inclusive practice is very effective and the process of self- evaluation is used to continually drive exceptional outcomes for all children. Partnerships with other settings are excellent.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the process of self-evaluation to continuously improve the quality of the provision for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates thorough knowledge and understanding of her role in safeguarding children. She maintains up-to-date training and documentation and is clear about procedures in order to safeguard children. For example, she has attended update sessions through the local authority. She ensures that adults in her home have undergone the vetting process. Robust policies and procedures are in place to ensure children are kept safe and free from harm, ensuring their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 welfare is promoted. They are able to play and learn in total safety because thorough risk assessments of the home and outside ensure hazards are minimised. All outings are rigorously risk assessed and regular emergency evacuation procedures are practised.

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the early years provision

There are exceptionally strong partnerships with parents. Consequently, the children benefit from continuity of care. They feel totally secure and flourish in the care of the childminder. Parents' views are sought and valued and their positive responses reflect the high regard they hold for the childminder. They comment highly in the annual questionnaires and in the numerous thank you cards. Parents also contribute to the assessment procedures through completing observations in the development files. The childminder fully understands the requirement to work with other professionals in supporting children's learning and development. The childminder has made excellent links with other providers where children also attend to ensure every child is appropriately supported and to provide continuity in their learning by sharing learning and development records. She has successfully made an application to work alongside the local children's centre as a partner

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the early years provision

Inclusive practice is central to her work. The childminder has attended equal opportunities training and has effective policies on inclusive practice. All children are very effectively guided to learning about wider society. She has a very wide selection of imaginative multicultural resources, including, for example, dice with Jewish markings. The childminder ensures that children celebrate various festivals. For example, during Chinese New Year celebrations, children visited a Chinese supermarket and completed role play around a Chinese restaurant.

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the early years provision

The childminder is driven to provide the highest level of care and education. The previous recommendation on the complaints procedure has been fully addressed. She is highly motivated and built on her grades from outstanding in some areas previously to achieving the overall outstanding grade. The childminder is committed to her own professional development and is a qualified and very experienced child carer; she continues to access training and support through her local authority. She is progressing through the different parts of the Local Authority Quality Assurance scheme and currently has a Silver Award. She has introduced a thorough system of self-assessment which successfully identifies both strengths and areas for development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely happy and exuberant in their play and learning. They feel totally settled and secure with the childminder, confidently chatting about what they are doing. There is a genuine warm rapport shared and consequently, children are flourishing in this setting. The childminder works at the children's level and talks to them, offering guidance and explanations so they gain the most from an activity. She asks open questions to promote children's thinking, for example, asking about what shape pieces are needed to reduce the floor train track. Children are very skilled at developing their understanding of the space around This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them as they skillfully use different short, sharp and round bends to fit the track into a confined space. They place items on the track and explain their use. For example, children talk about the grab machine and the job of the train signaller.

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and outcomes for children

Children's choices are respected and they select toys and games at will, easily accessing from the arrangement for continuous provision. Their artwork is displayed, showing it is valued, and reflects the vast range of experiences in creative development. This supports children to have a positive disposition to learn within a vibrant and stimulating environment.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a very good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and as a result is able to plan a variety of activities tailored to each child's interests and stage of learning. Children's individual learning journey files reflect the progress children are making from their starting points. Systems include monitoring to ensure there are no gaps in any of the areas of learning. Observations and assessments are very effectively used in planning for children's next steps. She has completed further in depth assessments of certain activities and their effectiveness for children's learning. For example, children at play with artificial snow and using squash and squeeze items. The use of many photographs illustrates the amount of thought and planning given to ensuring that children achieve.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning about their own and the wider communities. They attend many places, such as story sack sessions at the library, Chapel Allerton Children's Centre and go to a number of venues for childminder groups. This enriches their experiences and encourages social interaction. They are learning about living things through visits to the allotment. They take part in planting and watching seeds grow. They have grown their own fruit and vegetables. Children's physical development is fostered exceptionally well as they make very good use of the resources at the children's centre, play areas and outdoors at the childminder's home. Different textures and natural materials are provided in treasure baskets and interest boxes, where exploratory play is made fun. For example, children make their own binoculars as part of the theme of watching the birds. Throughout children's play, language is encouraged and questions are answered clearly to

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and outcomes for children

satisfy their curiosity. They especially enjoy being creative thinkers as they instinctively make up names for characters in their favourite book. For example, creating the names 'Goldie', 'Niko' and 'Postcardi'.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning good habits with regard to healthy lifestyles. They eat heartily, enjoying the fresh fruit offered by the childminder after lunch. Opportunities for children to learn are used extensively. For example, during lunch, children demonstrate exceptional understanding of numbers as they add and subtract the pieces of satsumas. They enjoy home cooking and have access to drinking water at all times to keep them well hydrated. Children behave exceptionally well and cooperate with the childminder. They are praised and encouraged by the childminder in all that they do, and as a result, children's self- esteem is phenomenal. The robust hygiene arrangements ensure all risks are minimised. They are self-assured, confident, happy children who are learning skills for the future through the exceptional input and commitment from the childminder. 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 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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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