Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY332255 Inspection date 14/02/2011 Inspector Shaheen Matloob

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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 April 2007. He lives with his wife, who is also his co-childminder, and two children in the Purston area of Pontefract, Wakefield, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family have a hamster and goldfish as pets.

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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 his co-childminder they are able to care for a maximum of 11 children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than six may be in the early years age range. Together they are currently caring for 12 between them who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all attend on a part-time basis. Both childminders have equal responsibility for the childminding practice. 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. He is a member of the National Childminding Association and part of the West Yorkshire police Network.

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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

Children are cared for well in a stimulating and caring environment where they have fun. Children's enjoyment is reflected in the good progress they make and the strong bonds they have developed with the childminder. The childminder works well with other partners to ensure that children get the support they need. Parents are kept well informed about their children's day. All previous recommendations raised at the last inspection have been fully addressed and have a positive impact on the outcomes for children. Self-evaluation is in place but not fully embedded, however the childminder has the ability to continue to improve based on the good progress he has made so far and his commitment to continually improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide individual guidance to parents about how they can support and extend their children's learning in meaningful ways and develop they ways in which parents can contribute to their children's learning and development records, review their progress This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  Improve self-evaluation and reflection systems to meaningfully involve parents and identify priorities for future for development that will improve outcomes for children and the overall provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed a high level of up-to-date safeguarding training and uses this knowledge and his commitment to safety to ensure that children are kept safe and their welfare is protected. Effective systems are in place to identify record and report any concerns about children and to share them with relevant agencies. Detailed and very thorough risk assessments and safety precautions ensure that risks to children are identified and minimised well. Good organisation of the home and resources ensures that children have access to safe, low-level equipment and attractively set out resources and toys, which maximise independent play opportunities. Clearly labelled drawers and signs encourage children to help put things away and promote early language and number skills. The childminder has a clear commitment to continual professional development, has attended a wide range of training and is completing a professional level 3

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the early years provision

qualification. The knowledge gained from these is used to improve documentation and the provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder actively promotes equality of opportunity and children and families are treated with respect. The childminder is proactive in supporting children for whom English is an additional language and works with parents to gain information about children's first languages. Signs and posters in other languages and communication with children in their first language, gives them a sense of belonging and of being valued. Tracking documents and focused planned activities help the childminder to identify and close any gaps in children's learning. Children develop their own sense of identity, celebrate differences that make them unique individuals and learn about the wider world through the celebration of events and a good range of resources. For example, parents and children participate in a 'fair- trade fortnight', which helps children to understand about the third world countries, the concept of fairness and to bake and eat using fair-trade food.

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the early years provision

Regular questionnaires and the Ofsted self-evaluation form are used by the childminder to evaluate his provision. These systems identify his strengths and some areas for development. However the self-evaluation does not meaningfully involve parents or identify challenging priorities for development that will improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good relationship with parents who comment that the 'flexibility and quality of care provided is excellent' and 'my child is stimulated and has developed a good relationship with the childminder and other children'. A successful settling in procedure and valuable information obtained when children first start ensures that children's needs are met well. Daily verbal discussion and written records shared with parents keep them well informed of their children's progress and well-being, promoting continuity of care. However, parents are less involved in contributing to their children's learning and development records and supporting their children's learning at home. Regular parental questionnaires and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 discussions with children are used to seek their views and these are acted upon. For example a blind was fitted to the bathroom window for further privacy. Regular

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the early years provision

communication takes place with other partners to ensure that individual children are supported and to promote their achievements and well being. Learning and development records are shared to support transition into school and continuity of progression.

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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. Detailed weekly planning is based around topics and covers all six areas of learning. The childminder supports children's learning through joining in with 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 access a broad range of age appropriate and interesting activities. Those initiated by the childminder are well-balanced with those initiated by children and adapted so that all children can take part. Children are confident communicators

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and outcomes for children

because the childminder listens and values what children have to say. Skilful storytelling, using puppets, helps children to enjoy books and develop good reading and communication skills. Self-registration and signs around the home help children to recognise and sound the letters in their name and the alphabet. Children enjoy using malleable materials and gain strength and coordination as they roll out icing to cover their biscuits. They learn about shapes and colour as they cut out shapes in their icing and decorate them.

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and outcomes for children

Children are secure, settled and happy at the childminders. They show an understanding of the need for safety. For example, whilst using construction they help to make a birthday cake and understand that the candles are hot and will burn. They demonstrate a clear understanding of road safety and confidently explain that they 'wait for cars and the red mans you have to stop and then you can go when the green man comes on because green means go'. Children regularly practice fire evacuations and develop an effective understanding of what to do, such as waiting for the fireman to put out the fire. Younger children actively demonstrate how fire fighters put out fires. All children receive a competency certificate when they have taken part in a fire evacuation, which promotes confidence.

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and outcomes for children

Most children show a good understanding of about what constitutes towards a healthy lifestyle. Established daily routines, which children consistently follow, ensure that they maintain good personal hygiene. Children know that they must wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet because they are dirty and germs will make them sick. Posters in the bathroom remind children to wash their hands and flush the toilet. Children engage in activities to promote physical This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development, such as, 'wake up shake up' an energetic session where they dance, bop and jump to music. Younger children's care routines are met well in accordance with parent's wishes.

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and outcomes for children

An exciting role play in fruit and vegetable shop provides opportunities for children to use programmable tills, handle and recognise money and also recognise their favourite fruit and vegetables, such as, broccoli, carrots and bananas. The childminder's healthier food and special diets training ensures that children benefit from a wide range of meals which are healthy, nutritional well presented and incorporate the main food groups. Children eat healthily at all times and encouraged to try foods from different cultures. They understand the importance of healthy eating and that certain foods are good for them and too many sweets will make them sick and their teeth will fall out. Children have opportunities to plant and grow flowers and vegetables and explain that they have to put soil and water in and you get flowers.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well behaved and happily share toys with each other and take turns. The childminder manages a range of children's behaviour, using positive strategies and setting safe and realistic limits which promotes their development and well- being. Parents value the support and techniques used and comment that they are 'thankful for the support and the help' the childminder has given them. Children show good levels of self-esteem as good behaviour is rewarded with praise and stickers given for wanted behaviour, such as, for helping to tidy away toys. 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 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 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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