Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY321391 Inspection date 24/01/2011 Inspector Dawn Lumb

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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 and works in partnership with his wife who is also a registered childminder. He lives with his wife and two children aged 13 and 16 years in the village of Altofts, near Wakefield. The children have access to the whole of the ground floor as well as two log cabins in the rear garden. There is an enclosed garden suitable for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years and 12 children under eight, when working with his wife. There are 15 children on roll. He also offers care to children aged over eight years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and of the Wakefield Childminding Network. He holds an NVQ Level 3 in childcare and education.

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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

The childminder is very welcoming and creates a safe and extremely inclusive environment in which children's individual and specific needs are exceptionally well met. Children enjoy their learning and play through a good range of exciting opportunities and activities that supports them in making good progress. The childminder fosters excellent working relationships with parents and well established links with other providers and agencies to promote continuity of care and learning for all. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to improving the provision. He has made an enthusiastic start in using formal self-evaluation systems and is beginning to identify the settings strengths and areas for development to promote continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the self-evaluation system to further strengthen identification of the settings strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for children  continue to develop systems that effectively link observation, assessment and planning to more easily identify children's learning priorities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of his role and responsibility in keeping children safeguarded and has strengthened his knowledge and understanding through attending relevant training. The childminder is well motivated and enthusiastic and actively contributes to consistently good standards. A range of documentation is effectively used to support his working practice and to ensure children are safe and secure within his setting. For example, he has written risk assessments in place for the house and garden to identify hazards and minimise risks to children.

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the early years provision

The children thoroughly enjoy their time at the childminder's and have excellent warm and loving relationships with the childminder. He readily responds with enthusiasm to their needs and requests. This supports children's confidence and security exceptionally well.

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the early years provision

The childminder's recent completion of the NVQ level 3 has promoted a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and therefore children's progress towards the early learning goals is well supported. His observations, assessments, and planning systems are developing well. Although, he identifies the need for further improvement. A very good range of resources, activities and opportunities help children to learn well in all areas. Very well- organised, activities and sensitive support, have strong focus on children's interests and abilities. For example, one child is very interested in trains and this is greatly considered and incorporated into their play and learning experiences to encourage and excite the child's participation.

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the early years provision

The Co-childminder's work exceptionally well together to promote the best outcomes for the children in their care. There is a real commitment to continuous professional development and to raising skills, and an effective program of ongoing learning opportunities promotes knowledge and understanding to be consistently updated.

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the early years provision

Children and parents are highly valued and respected; their opinions are regularly sought. For example, parent questionnaires and daily diaries. The childminder has endeavoured to develop inclusive systems of communication to ensure that there are consistent and productive partnerships with parents, carers and he has built strong links with outside agencies. Parents are provided with a wealth of information and guidance regarding the childminder's provision and their children's care, learning and development. Parent's comment positively, saying that their children enjoy their time in the setting and that it is a homely, family environment and that the childminder is reliable and flexible in supporting not only the children's needs, but also the parents needs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Young children enjoy many sensory activities, such as singing with sparkly shakers, playing with different textures and feeling natural materials. All children have very good opportunities to explore and investigate and to access a sensory room. There is a good balance of adult-led and child-led activities taking excellent account of children's individual interests and abilities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are helped to recognise and use numbers in a variety of situations. For example, singing simple action rhymes and talking about how many trains, counting them and talking about the size of the trains.

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to gain awareness of the wider community as they visit places, such as the local toddler groups and collect leaves in the woods. Their understanding of diversity and difference is enhanced as they celebrate festivals and special events. The childminder has been proactive in acquiring further books and resources to support their learning, such as pictures and information about people from different countries. He constantly researches and acquires further resources to support children's individual and specific needs exceptionally well.

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and outcomes for children

Children are motivated and encouraged to be involved by the childminder through positive and sensitive support. For example, children respond with enthusiasm when the childminder sits on the floor at their level, gives them comforting cuddles as they look at a book together. The childminder skilfully supports their communication, language and literacy skills as he shows interest and asks questions. For example, the children and childminder talk about the story and what is happening in the pictures. He helps to reinforce and extend speech as they talk about the train going fast, slow, and whether it has stopped.

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and outcomes for children

High regard is given to children's large physical movement. For example, children have good opportunities to access the outside area and a log cabin which contains soft play equipment, which the children enjoy climbing, crawling and jumping on.

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and outcomes for children

Young children are very sociable and enjoy playing alongside each other and participate well together in playing games. They respond positively in helping to tidy the jigsaws away and to any requests made by the childminder. Children learn how to keep themselves safe through practising good routines and discussion. For example, when it is safe to run around and when they need to stay close.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn well about health and hygiene through visits and planned activities to promote their understanding of growth and development. For example, they visit farms and talk about baby animals and what they need. They are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles in which healthy eating and exercise are encouraged. Snack and mealtimes are celebrated as social occasions. Hands are washed and children are encouraged to select their healthy snack of fruit. 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 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 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 1 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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