Childminder in LeedsOfsted inspection, 8 Feb 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 319900 Inspection date 08/02/2011 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 1994. She lives with her adult son in the Arthington area of Otley in West Yorkshire. Local amenities include a school, a pre- school, parks and a library. Shops and public transport links are close by. The whole ground floor of the property is used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The setting is accessed via a small number of steps in the front garden.

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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, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. The childminder 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 eight children attending within this age group. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and nurseries and attends groups within the local community. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and she 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder effectively promotes children's welfare, learning and development in most aspects, although certain requirements for record keeping are not fully met. Systems for planning, observation and assessment are generally effective in helping children to make good progress across the six areas of learning. The childminder suitably works in partnership with parents to ensure inclusion and there are good links with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder evaluates different aspects of her setting and demonstrates a good commitment to continual improvement in order to promote positive outcomes for children.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 keep a record of emergency contact details (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 22/02/2011

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further?

 ensure that a log is maintained of all medicines administered to children (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 22/02/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 establish children's abilities and capabilities in conjunction with information This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 gathered from parents and develop links with all providers where children attend other settings  improve hand washing routines in order to fully minimise cross infection.

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the early years provision

Most safeguarding policies and procedures are implemented with success. The childminder is fully aware of child protection issues and she has clear reporting procedures in the event of a concern of this nature. Hazards in the home and outdoors are identified and minimised well. The childminder keeps doors locked for security, checks visitor's identification thoroughly before allowing them to enter the premises and is diligent in ensuring they sign in and out. There are good procedures for outings including the use of safety items such as flourescent equipment and a first aid kit. Accident and medicine procedures are generally robust in promoting children's welfare. However, although prior parental written permission is obtained to do so along with a telephone call to parents, the childminder has administered over the counter, non-prescribed herbal pain relief without keeping a record of this. This is a breach in requirements. Organisation of

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the early years provision

the provision is mostly effective and documentation is well organised in a range of childminding files to promote the efficient and safe management of the provision. However, although this has now ceased, the childminder has been caring for more children than her conditions of registration allow. This is an offence unless the provider gives a reasonable excuse. On this occasion the provider did so and Ofsted does not intend to take further action.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of the facilities within her community and resource websites to enhance her provision and children's experiences. As part of her continuous improvement she has accessed training run by her local authority which demonstrates a commitment to her own professional development. For example, the childminder has gained a Level 3 qualification. She evaluates her practice generally well in order to identify strengths and areas for development and she establishes good links with other childminders in order to work together to plan activities linked to topics and themes. Parents share their views through yearly questionnaires and comments are very complimentary.

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the early years provision

The childminder works suitably in partnership with parents. She exchanges most required information before placement, although emergency contact details are not recorded. This is a breach in requirements. The childminder gathers appropriate information that helps her meet children's individual care needs, although information that helps her to establish children's starting points is more limited. Parents are suitably updated on their child's development and adequately encouraged to support next steps at home. Generally effective links are established with other settings. For instance, the childminder is given nursery summary sheets every half term from which she replies to by providing details of what she is doing with the children and their next steps. However, the childminder has not established links where children attend school.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to equality and diversity. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 promotes an inclusive environment by ensuring, for example, that resources are available to all children and there is no gender bias. She has up-to-date knowledge of different aspects of others' religions, such as their cooking customs, and she has devised a 'let's cook' booklet with recipes for different foods relating to different festivals. Posters reflect positive images of diversity and children's learning is further enhanced as they celebrate Chinese New Year by creating dragon puppets using wooden lollipop sticks and making boxes for fortune cookies.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, confident and very sociable. They are clearly at ease in the childminder's home as they readily choose their preferred toy from the accessible range in the lounge or designated play area. Bright posters, for example, reflecting numbers, colours, feelings and flags from around the world adorn the walls in the play area to create a child-centred environment. Children take part in a broad range of well-planned play opportunities. The childminder has devised a planning record file which contains a wide range of interesting activities linked to extensive themes which are carried out each term. The childminder undertakes regular observations of the children in order to incorporate their interests and next steps in her planning and ensure they are being supported in making progress. However, the childminder is not effectively identifying children's starting points to establish their capabilities in order to ensure they make optimum progress.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a warm and caring manner with the children and she offers frequent praise and encouragement which effectively fosters their self- esteem. Children behave well. For example, they readily respond to the childminder's request to tidy up, wash their hands and sit at the table for lunch. The childminder effectively helps children to develop their skills in language, literacy and mathematics. The environment is rich in print and she enthusiastically engages children in looking at number and letter books asking them questions and encouraging their language development. Children engage in activities linked to topics, such as 'people who help us', to learn about keeping safe and they access story books reflecting different aspects of safety, such as 'stranger danger'.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good access to outdoors including the use of groups and local facilities, such as the park, where they use more challenging apparatus to develop their large physical skills. Their all round good health if further promoted by the provision of homemade healthy meals and snacks reflected in a weekly menu displayed for parents. The childminder utilises additional information such as the 'five-a-day, what is a portion?' chart to enhance her provision. Generally, good hygiene routines are modelled and encouraged by the childminder, although she does not wash her hands after wiping children's noses. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3 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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