Hebblethwaite, Janet

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 319793 Inspection date 25/02/2011 Inspector Kate Bryan

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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 child in East Ardsley, on the outskirts of Wakefield. There are local amenities nearby including shops and schools. The downstairs of the home is used for childminding with toilet facilities upstairs. There is an enclosed back garden in which children can play. The family has a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of whom three may be in the early years age group. There are currently seven children on roll, of whom three are in the early years age range. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years.

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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

The childminder organises her home and resources with a great deal of imagination to ensure children are engaged in stimulating and interesting activities. This ensures they are active and independent learners. Children are happy, settled and confident, because the childminder takes great care to establish all available information about them and their individual care, learning and development needs. This is achieved as she works very closely with parents. She also has strong partnerships with others involved in the children's lives, for example, specialist health workers, which ensures all children's individual needs are met extremely well. Efficient systems have been implemented to monitor and evaluate practice. Consequently, development and improvement are underpinned by effective appraisal and by the views of others who use her service.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop systems to ensure children's starting points are built on so they make the most efficient progress.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very clear about her responsibility to safeguard children and robust procedures are in place to ensure any concerns are reported to the appropriate authorities. The childminder has also attended training in this area. All adults at the home have been checked and children are never left with people who have not been cleared. This further enhances safety measures in place. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder undertakes thorough risk assessments of her home and outings and children's safety is very well maintained by vigilant supervision at all times. She is skilled at making sure all children are included in the life of the home and activities are effectively organised to ensure all children can participate safely.

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the early years provision

The childminder has devised a detailed range of written policies which effectively promote children's health, safety and welfare. These are shared with parents so they are quite clear how their children will be cared for. Parents and children also have the opportunity to be involved in the running of the service by completing a questionnaire through which they can offer suggestions about how the service may be improved. Excellent systems are also in place to keep parents informed of their children's experiences at the home and these include daily feedback, scrapbooks of achievements, newsletters and the opportunity to comment in children's profiles. The childminder clearly values the very successful partnerships she has with parents and she has also established excellent working relationships with others involved in the care of the children. This means all children have an individual service which fulfils all their needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very committed to personal development and has attended a wide range of training to support her work with children. She also has a Level 3 childcare qualification. She has devised very efficient systems to evaluate the effectiveness of her service and to identify areas for development. This means children are looked after by a very motivated and committed carer.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is very experienced and knowledgeable which means she can plan a broad range of interesting and challenging learning opportunities for children. Sensitive and thorough observations clearly show what children have achieved and their next steps are identified in order to progress their learning. Her home has been thoughtfully and imaginatively organised to stimulate children's learning and it also gives them the confidence to explore their surroundings. This child-centred setting has many examples of children's work displayed, for example, mugs, plates and t-shirts, the children are very proud of their achievements.

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and outcomes for children

Children are enthusiastic and eager about learning and make confident choices about their activities. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to adapt these activities to ensure all children are included and feel valued. For example, a topic involving football was adapted to include egg and spoon races and decorating spoons so all children were involved. The childminder promotes inclusion exceptionally well and fosters a positive understanding in all children of valuing diversity and difference. This also promotes their own self-esteem very well as they recognise they are all special individuals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is exceptionally skilled at providing a continuous learning experience for children. For example, the children read a book about polar bears which promoted a discussion about animals living in a cold environment. The

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and outcomes for children

children then experimented with freezing plastic animals in water so they could observe changes in the properties of things. Salt was then added to the ice and children used magnifying glasses as they watched the ice crack. This activity was imaginatively extended as children then learned about making an igloo and about how other people acquire food. This activity was highly successful in incorporating all areas of learning whilst ensuring the children had fun.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder carefully researches and plans imaginative outings for children to places, such as museums, farms, play groups and other places of interest. This provides them with extensive opportunities to be a part of the local community and also to socialise with a range of diverse people.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a multitude of opportunities to promote their imagination and creativity and enjoy working with a wide variety of mediums, such as gloop, play dough, paint, foam and sand. A safe and challenging outdoor environment is provided as children use local parks regularly and soft play settings also offer an enticing range of learning opportunities.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has very high expectations of children's behaviour and they respond well to this as they cooperate effectively in activities, such as playing in the fire tent. They are also involved in setting simple house rules and this ensures the home is calm, safe and interesting for all children. This also increases their sense of worth extremely well as they know their opinions are valued. Children are delighted when their positive behaviour is acknowledged by praise and this effectively encourages them to help and respect all people.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is effectively promoted because the childminder ensures children learn through daily routines. They eagerly explain why hand washing is important and understand about good hygiene. They have excellent opportunities to learn about healthy eating as they grow and eat vegetables and fruit and make their own butter. These activities ensure children have a positive attitude to learning which is promoted by an inspired childminder who understands how children learn through play and having fun. 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 1 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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