Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 501853 Inspection date 22/02/2011 Inspector Cathryn Parry

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged ten and 15 years in the residential area of Garforth in Leeds. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. She has two rabbits as pets. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 7.30am to 5.30pm for 47 weeks of the year.

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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, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years and is currently minding six children in this age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She has established links with the local school and has partnership arrangements in place with other early years settings. The childminder collects children from the local school and attends and manages a toddler group on a regular basis.

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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 well protected and cared for in a child orientated home. The childminder is keen to ensure all children are included in her setting. The stimulating environment gives all children the chance to make progress in their learning and development. Systems for involving parents in the observation and assessment process are being developed. The childminder reflects on her practice to ensure continuous improvement is effectively maintained.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve systems to involve parents as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process.

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the early years provision

The childminder's current safeguarding knowledge of signs and symptoms is good. Consequently, children are well protected. Children's safety is enhanced with regular visual risk assessments of the premises and for any outings undertaken, which are also recorded. The childminder furthers her childcare knowledge by attending mandatory training, linking with the Early Years Coordinator from the local school and reading relevant publications. This has a positive impact on the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning and development opportunities she provides. Children are able to select from a wide range of resources, which are clean, well maintained and suitable for their ages and stages of development. These are stored in the playroom at appropriate heights for the different aged children to access.

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the early years provision

Information is shared regularly with parents through discussions at arrival and collection times. They also have access to their children's development records, thus ensuring continuity of care. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the importance of partnerships with other professionals. This enables her to enhance opportunities for individual children's learning and development. Strong links have been developed with other practitioners where children access care and education in more than one setting. This enables the childminder to complement themes with activities to promote continuity and cohesion.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively evaluates the service she provides, including gaining feedback from parents. She recognises her main strength as being her passion to provide a homely environment for children to learn in whilst having fun. She also comments that she would like to offer more opportunities to visit places of interest. The recommendation raised at the previous inspection has been positively addressed. This has a favourable impact on informing parents of Ofsted's contact details.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and implements it well. Children access a good range of well-chosen resources, which support their learning across all areas. The childminder is enthusiastic and activities are undertaken with a sense of fun. Children are developing an understanding of responsible behaviour, as a consistent approach by the childminder is employed. Her positive attitude to equality and diversity ensures children have a good awareness of the wider community, for instance when discussing peoples differences. This is supplemented with a variety of resources reflecting positive images of the world they live in. Sufficient effective support is given, which nurtures children's independence. Children have a growing understanding of the natural world through a variety of well-planned and spontaneous activities. These include visiting a rare breeds farm and looking at

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and outcomes for children

birds in the garden. Taking part in listening games encourages children to develop their communication and language. Children use counting and numbers well in everyday play situations. The childminder regularly extends activities, for example where children collect leaves and then make collage pictures with them. This inspires children to be creative. They use information and communication technology to develop their skills for the future. An example of this is where they access child friendly computer games and interactive resources.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a clear understanding of the benefits of maintaining a good balance of child-initiated and adult-led play. She effectively observes children and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 evaluates activities to inform future planning, ensuring individual needs are met well. Systems for involving parents in the ongoing observation and assessment process are in their infancy. This has a slightly negative impact on the childminder monitoring children's progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children are kept secure through effective procedures for entry to the childminder's home. They experience good levels of supervision and appropriate safety equipment is in place to ensure hazards are reduced. Regular use of the garden, walks to the park and outings to the soft play centre provide opportunities for healthy exercise. This encourages children's physical development. The childminder's flexible routine incorporates time for quiet play and rest, which ensures children's routines are followed and individual needs met. The childminder is very aware of children's specific requirements, likes and dislikes and prepares meals and snacks to meet these. This encourages children to eat a healthy balanced diet. They are learning the importance and value of personal hygiene through established routines being in place. Children do not attend if they are sick which enables the childminder to protect others from illness. She has all the

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and outcomes for children

required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. 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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