Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY345714 Inspection date 01/02/2011 Inspector Rachel Ayo

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged 18, eight and five years in the Roundhay area of Leeds in West Yorkshire. Local amenities include schools, nurseries, parks and a library. Shops and public transport links are close by. The whole ground floor of the property is used for childminding purposes along with a first floor bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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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, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for six children in this age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and there are currently two children attending within this age group. The childminder attends local groups during the week. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a Level 3 childcare qualification.

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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

The setting is highly effective and outcomes are excellent as a result of the childminder's overall superb knowledge and implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage. All children make significant progress in their learning and development because of a stimulating, inviting and extremely child centred environment. Highly effective individualised observational assessment and partnership working means the childminder unquestionably plans for, and meets children's individual needs. Equality of opportunity is promoted to a high standard including through imaginative and resourceful opportunities for children to learn about diversity. The childminder has extremely robust self-evaluation systems and parents and children are actively involved in the process. The rigorous monitoring and searching analysis of what is done well and what needs to be improved means that plans for the future are exceptionally well targeted.

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further?

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

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further?

 developing further partnership working with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage  improving the equipment used by the children to wash their hands in order to fully minimise cross infection. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Safeguarding policies and procedures are comprehensive and superbly implemented. A vast range of additional safety information is in place to promote children's welfare. The childminder has an excellent understanding of child protection issues and risk assessments are meticulous and continually reviewed and updated. They cover an extensive range of safety aspects, such as equipment, planned activities, outings and adverse weather conditions. The childminder enables children to confidently explore and take managed risks as they play outdoors under her close supervision. For example, toddlers tentatively climb up steps to access the slide while the childminder gently reminds them to be careful and hold on as she stands beside them. A wealth of documentation enhances all aspects of the provision and record keeping systems are extremely well maintained and organised.

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the early years provision

A highly inclusive environment ensures that all age groups are fully involved in activities and in making choices about what they would like to do. The childminder effectively meets children's individual health or dietary needs ensuring her provision is accessible to all families. Diversity is reflected highly. There is a wide array of posters, signs and resources, such as small world play people including a flamenco dancer, Scottish piper and Indian girl. Children's understanding is further reinforced through inspiring activities and innovative displays. For example, as part of the forthcoming Chinese New Year celebrations a wall and table top display reflects an extensive range of interesting cultural items.

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the early years provision

Partnership working is highly valued and the childminder extends her resources if required in order to work consistently with parents, such as providing information to add into a baby signing book. Parents effectively share what they know about their children including home routines. They receive high quality information through copies of policies and procedures, notice boards, text messages, daily diaries and quarterly newsletters. They are exceptionally well informed about their child's learning and development and on how they can support this at home. Written information details what children have been taking part in during a particular theme or topic and what they will be doing next. Parents are invited to add comments and they share their own observations, such as what children have enjoyed doing at home, new interests and any new development. The childminder effectively links with other providers in terms of following topics or themes,

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the early years provision

although the systems for working together to promote children's individual learning are less developed.

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the early years provision

As a result of the childminder's high aspirations for quality, she is extremely successful in analysing and improving many aspects of her provision. She has made excellent strides since her last inspection and there is superb use of resources within the community and her local authority. For example, the childminder has extended her home to enhance the environment for the children, gained a Level 3 childcare qualification and is currently working towards becoming an accredited childminder. Questionnaires enable parents and children to share their views and areas identified for improvement are fully valued and acted upon, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 such as providing daily diaries for all children and creating a vegetable patch in the garden. Strong links are held with other childminders in order to share ideas, discuss practice issues and evaluate the provision, and effective use is made of

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and outcomes for children

Children are inspired and provided with high levels of challenge. There is an extensive range of purposefully planned play opportunities complimented with themes, vibrant displays, interesting outings and group activities within the community. For example, as part of a current topic about the weather there are annotated pictures of different types of weather, children's artwork, weather songs and a table top display with story books, clothes and equipment used during different weather conditions. In addition, children take part in wellington printing with large trays of paint. The childminder incorporates children's interests and next steps in her planning to ensure that activities are exceptionally well matched for all children. As a result, they make optimum progress, behave impeccably, given their ages and stages of development, and show exceptional levels of concentration and interest in their environment.

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and outcomes for children

Children show an extremely strong sense of security and clearly feel safe as a result of excellent relationships fostered with the childminder. The childminder ensures gradual settling-in programmes to ensure that any necessary measures can be put into place if children are not coping with new changes during this transition period. Consequently, children have high levels of self-esteem and confidence. Along with excellent arrangements for ensuring children feel safe, the childminder plans interesting opportunities for them to learn about keeping safe. For example, children visit a fire station where they observe and handle different types of equipment and take part in discussions about when to call 999.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's skilful interaction and superb questioning significantly enhances children's learning. A fun and relaxed environment is created as the childminder sings action songs, plays soft music in the background and sits alongside children to engage in their play. During snack time the childminder encourages children to calculate how many plates are needed and name the colours of the fruit. Even toddlers are encouraged to count how many pieces of banana or orange they have, and they use mathematical language without prompt as they attempt to count while pointing at the number freeze on the wall. Children are highly sociable. Toddlers enthusiastically bring toy animals and books to adults and clearly delight in pressing the different characters in these to create music, which they dance to. Children are excelling in their literacy skills and they confidently communicate in range of ways. They use more complex vocabulary as they string sentences

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and outcomes for children

together and use language imaginatively and to organise their thinking, for example, whilst dressing up as a builder.

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and outcomes for children

Children's creativity is undoubtedly valued. They access a considerable range of media and materials in order to use their imagination, express their own ideas and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 respond to what they hear, see, touch and feel. For example, children excitedly help to mix flour into the dough describing it as'sticky' as they squeeze it through their fingers. Toddlers pat the flour and observe the dough with intrigue as they poke it, squash it and make patterns using a variety of dough tools. The childminder describes the dough as looking like wiggly worms or spaghetti as it oozes out of the holes on the top of a play person's head.

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and outcomes for children

Parents currently provide packed lunches for the children, although the childminder provides snacks that encourage children to make healthy choices about what they eat. Children have good opportunities to benefit from fresh air and exercise and access a wide variety of small and large apparatus to develop their small and large motor skills. They also play team games and access indoor soft play centres. They visit places of interest, such as Lotherton Hall where they learn about animals and plants. The childminder models and encourages generally effective hygiene practices in order to promote children's all round good health, although some hand washing routines do not fully minimise cross-infection. 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 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 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 2 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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