Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 319569 Inspection date 22/02/2011 Inspector Judith Kerr

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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 1989. She lives with her husband in the Beeston area of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family has two dogs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for three children in the early years age range. The childminder is also registered by Ofsted on the 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.

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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 has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and inclusion is well promoted. This enables her to implement good systems to ensure the welfare and learning of all children is ably supported. Effective policies and procedures contribute towards ensuring that children's welfare is generally well prioritised. Information is regularly shared with parents to ensure the individual care needs of each child are met. The childminder is keen to improve the service she provides for children in her care. She evaluates her practice in order to identify areas for future development.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the risk assessment covers everything that a child may come in to contact with, such as the meter cupboards.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures to protect children from harm. She can recognise the potential indicators of abuse and is aware of her responsibility to report any concerns promptly to the relevant agencies. All adults in the household have had the appropriate checks to ensure they are suitable to be in close proximity to children. Children's safety is considered as the childminder takes steps to minimise potential hazards. For example, security in and around the home is good, safety gates are in use and smoke alarms are checked regularly. However, although the childminder has a risk assessment for her premises it does not cover everything with which a child may come into This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 contact, such as the meter cupboards. As a result, it does not identify all potential risks. The outings undertaken with the children are assessed for risks to minimise

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the early years provision

Policies and procedures are designed to promote children's safety and well-being. Routines are planned to incorporate the needs of all children. The recommendations raised at the last inspection have been met to further promote outcomes for children. The childminder has attended training relevant to the framework and renewed her first aid certificate. She analyses her provision to enable her to target areas for future development. For example, she recognises the importance of ongoing training to improve her practice and knows paperwork is not one of her strengths.

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the early years provision

Positive partnerships are established with parents through ongoing sharing of information. Children's individual needs, likes and dislikes are agreed to ensure their care, learning and development needs are met. The childminder encourages parents to contribute to their child's ongoing learning by sharing her assessments with them and offering ideas to extend activities at home. She is aware of where to seek support if she were to care for children with disabilities or English as an additional language to ensure that they would be fully integrated and included. Parents are provided with contact details of the regulator should they be unhappy with any aspect of the care their child receives. The importance of good working relationships with other settings is recognised in order to fully promote consistency and continuity for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress in their learning and development as the childminder is knowledgeable about the Early Years Foundation Stage. She makes written observations of children's achievements which are linked to the six areas of learning. The next steps are being identified and used to target future learning priorities for individual children. Planning is led by children's interests to ensure they are fully engaged. The assessments are linked to the elements of the framework to help track children's progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

A wide range of good quality resources are stored within easy reach to allow children to make informed decisions about their play. The childminder has a caring, warm approach and develops positive relationships with children; as a result, they are happy and settled. She encourages the children to follow their own interests so they can develop their imagination, creativity and curiosity and asks open-ended questions to encourage them to think about what they are doing and why. Young children independently choose a favourite book and turn the pages with confidence. Conversation flows freely throughout the day and words are repeated in rhyming songs, such as 'heads and shoulders' to help with children's acquisition of language. Outdoor play in the garden where children watch the birds and plant and grow fruit and vegetables is popular with the children. The children take care of the sunflowers they nurture and measure how tall they are. Children benefit

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 from physical activities as they enjoy demonstrating their skills at hopping, jumping and dancing to the music.

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and outcomes for children

Mathematical concepts are developed as children recognise shapes and colours, such as blue and red and count with confidence as part of the daily routine. Children enjoy a variety of creative activities, such as painting, collage and making jointed figures with paper pins. The childminder helps the children to understand they live in a diverse society by encouraging them to value and respect people's differences and become aware of the wider world in which they live. Resources including dolls and books and learning sign language helps children to understand diversity. Through the media children are encouraged to learn about disability.

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and outcomes for children

Effective hygiene routines are consistently followed to minimise the risks of cross- infection with children learning to use their own towel for hand drying. Packed lunches are stored appropriately and any snacks provided by the childminder are healthy and nutritious. Drinking water is freely accessible at all times for children to quench their thirst. Fire evacuations are practised on a regular basis and children are encouraged to follow sensible procedures when crossing the road and not to talk to strangers. 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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