Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 320045 Inspection date 23/02/2011 Inspector Lynn Dent

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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 1992. She lives with her husband and adult son in Cookridge in Leeds. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding five children in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends local toddler groups and takes children to the park. The family has a pet cat. The childminder is a member of the Leeds 16 Childminding Group.

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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 make excellent progress in their learning and development because the childminder successfully creates opportunities during everyday experiences and purposeful activities to support this. Overall children's hygiene is successfully promoted. Excellent partnerships with parents and other providers ensure consistency for all children in the childminder's care. The childminder successfully self-evaluates her provision and demonstrates an excellent capacity to make continuous improvement and sustain the existing high standards.

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further?

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

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further?

 improving hygiene routines; this is with regards to washing children's hands before eating snacks.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded successfully because the childminder has a very clear understanding of the indicators of child abuse and neglect and how to implement the local reporting procedures. Extensive risk assessments ensure that the premises and garden are secure and very safe for children to use. The childminder is vigilant in ensuring children are kept safe at the local childminding groups. She risk assesses where they meet and has written emergency evacuation procedures in place. Consequently, children's safety is significantly protected. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children can freely access the stimulating range of toys and resources that are in excellent condition. The childminder is innovative in using simple everyday resources to extend children's learning and adapting activities to meet their individual needs. For example, a simple washing line and pegs are used to help

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the early years provision

younger children practice their physical skills as they place these on the line. Older children peg doll's clothes onto the line and sort the pegs and clothing by colour and size. Excellent planning by the childminder means that children receive an extremely broad and balanced range of planned experiences. Each child has very careful individual planning which is used very effectively alongside sensitive observations. This information is detailed in their developmental profiles and ensures their next steps are identified and used to fully inform future activities. As a result all children are making outstanding progress in their learning and development.

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the early years provision

Highly successful relationships with parents mean detailed information is gathered about the children at induction. Ongoing discussions ensure that all parties are kept fully informed of the changing needs of the children. The childminder is pro- active in sharing the children's developmental profiles with parents. They take these home to review and add their own comments. Consequently, parents are kept fully involved in their child's learning, Comments from parents confirm they are highly satisfied with the progress their children make and value the service the childminder provides. The childminder has very effective systems in place to share information with other early years settings that children attend. Resulting in consistency in their learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder actively seeks the opinions of all parents in the self-evaluation process, and has completed a detailed evaluation of her setting. This is regularly reviewed and updated showing that the childminder values ongoing assessment. As a result she clearly identifies and addresses the changing areas for improvement in a timely manner. Resulting in positive improvements for the children in her care. Children receive excellent care because the childminder is pro- active in ensuring she updates her knowledge and skills through regular training. The childminder has the required written policies and procedures in place. She has exceeded this expectation by developing and implementing additional policies and procedures, regarding pets, visitors, transporting children in the car and the use of the sand pit. This shows her commitment to providing the best possible care for the children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are actively engaged in play and learning because the childminder gets down to their level and spends quality time interacting with them. For example, while playing with cars they explore the colours and why they sometimes 'stick together'. The childminder explains that the cars have magnets in them and the children spend time finding out which attract and which repel. During this time younger children are using other cars to explore what happens when they roll them down a slope on a toy garage and across the floor. Consequently, all children are actively involved at their developmental stage. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children successfully use their language to explain what they see and to ask questions. As they complete an insect jigsaw they clearly state that some of the pieces feel smooth and others are hard. Also some are shiny and some are not.

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and outcomes for children

Later while completing a large floor puzzle they accurately count how many firemen they can see and decide that 'the fireman is talking to mummy on the telephone'. Older children are inquisitive and ask searching questions such as 'Why is the H the same when it is the wrong way round?' They can identify initial sounds and letters well. All children enjoy stories because the childminder sits them on her knee or gathers them around her as she read to them.

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and outcomes for children

All children are very confident demonstrating that they feel safe in the childminders care. Children wash their hands throughout the day such as after using the toilet and the childminder encourages children to wash their hands throughout the day. However, on the day of inspection the childminder omitted to wash children's hands before eating a snack. Therefore, on this occasion good hygiene was not fully promoted. Children are encouraged to use tissues and reminded abut the spread of germs when sneezing. Children benefit from a nutritious diet and healthy snacks. They learn about the importance of exercise and fresh air as they go on walks or play outdoors daily.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a very good awareness of how to keep themselves safe as they practice road safety and the emergency evacuation procedure. They receive a certificate for taking part in this as a visual reminder of the event. Children's social skills are significantly enhanced because the childminder takes them to local groups where they receive the opportunity to interact with others. Realistic rules help children develop a respect and thoughtfulness for others. Younger children are positively supported to develop sharing because the childminder gently reminds them of the importance of this. As a result they develop very good behaviour and play happily with their friends. 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 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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