Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 319545 Inspection date 31/01/2011 Inspector Ingrid Szczerban

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1987. She lives with her daughter and son-in- law in the Moortown area of Leeds, close to schools and shops. The playroom, dining room and hallway are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and there are currently 12, predominantly part time children, on roll. Of these, eight are in the early years age group. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, and both the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends a number of groups with the younger children each week.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and belongs to a local childminding group.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Superb attention is given to meeting the individual learning and development needs of children. They take part in an extensive range of activities and make excellent progress in all areas of learning. Inclusive practice is promoted well and children are very much valued and respected as individuals. There are good systems in place to promote the welfare needs of children and relationships with parents are strong. On the whole, the childminder assesses the effectiveness of the setting well, and areas for improvement are accurately identified. A good capacity to continuously drive improvement is demonstrated, in order to ensure that outcomes for children develop positively.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop further the self-evaluation system to include the views of parents and children  extend further the children's experience of diversity to include more festivals and foods from around the world.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well. All adults in the home have appropriate checks and the childminder has a clear understanding of how to report any concerns she may have about children. Comprehensive written risk assessments are effectively implemented by the childminder to ensure that children are kept from harm. For This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 instance, harnesses are always used in pushchairs and low-level glass is protected so that children remain safe. All potential hazards on the premises and on outings are minimised. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and seeks all necessary written consents from parents.

p.4

the early years provision

The home is clean, warm and well maintained. Individual towels are provided for children and they wash their hands before eating, which prevents the risk of any cross- infection. A clear sickness policy is implemented. Toys are stored at a level for the age and stage of each child so that they can access appropriate resources safely and independently.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder manages her provision well. She uses effective means to evaluate and improve the service she provides. For example, she has completed further training courses, including story telling and treasure baskets, and additional resources are continuously provided to promote children's learning. She has regular contact with other childminders to share information and has annual visits from an early years development worker. As a result, she has improved children's awareness of safety by testing smoke alarms and practising fire drills each month. The recommendations made at the last inspection are fully implemented. The complaints procedure is now shared with parents and the childminder has obtained written parental consent to seek any necessary emergency medical treatment or advice for all children. The childminder plans to more fully include parents and children in the evaluation process in future.

p.5

the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are very good. The childminder gathers information from parents prior to admission, enabling her to effectively meet individual children's needs and to help with settling in. Parents are informed of their child's daily activities, verbally and in a diary. They have free access to their child's development file and good systems are in place for progressing learning between the childminder's setting and home. For instance, currently both settings are helping a child with learning how to count. Suitable arrangements are in place with other settings delivering early years to ensure that learning is complimented between settings.

p.5

the early years provision

Inclusive practice is promoted well and children are very much valued and respected as individuals. The childminder finds out about each child in order that she can successfully provide for their individual learning and they feel welcome. She follows routines from home so that children settle in well and she tailors activities to their individual interests. The toys and books that children use reflect positive aspects of diversity, which means that they begin to learn to appreciate similarities and differences. They listen to music from around the world and celebrated the Chinese New Year, but their experience of different foods and festivals is limited.

p.5

and outcomes for children

A rich, vibrant and varied environment, coupled with meticulous individual observations, assessments and plans, means that children thrive in the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder's care and make significant gains in their learning. Children are completely relaxed and happy in their warm and loving relationships with the childminder. Daily routines are based entirely around the children's needs and their interests. Children's free artwork is prominently displayed in the playroom and so they know their work is valued.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is very good indeed. They are fully occupied in their play and when tired, they rest so that they wake refreshed. The childminder is polite and respectful to children, as a result they are too and they like to help each other. Children learn very well about keeping themselves and others safe. For instance, they give the small building blocks to the childminder when the baby arrives as they know these may cause harm to infants. They are taught road safety by the childminder each day and fire drills are practiced on a very regular basis.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Healthy, active lifestyles are promoted well. Children visit parks and playgroups where they swing, run, balance, climb and use wheeled toys. The current topic is exercise and children readily state that 'exercise makes me strong'. Parents provide packed meals for their children and the childminder gives fruit for snacks. Children are sometimes involved in the preparation of food and they talk with the childminder about the benefits of healthy eating.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children learn extremely well about the world around them and how to safeguard the environment. For instance, they take bottles to the bottle bank for recycling and the childminder teaches them the importance of sustainability through switching off lights and walking rather than using the car. Children are encouraged to observe nature and a myriad of interesting topics are delivered by the childminder to captivate their interest, such as, sunshine and flowers, wild animals, the sea, the farm, the night, shapes and food. Many outings are undertaken including to a fire station and to a tropical animal centre where children love to see crocodiles and snakes.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children have excellent communication skills and use language confidently to express their imaginations. They line up cars and trucks on the carpet and talk about traffic jams, afterwards as they scatter the vehicles, they say there has been a big accident. Children are extremely interested in numbers and letters. They are able to count up to twenty at the age of three. Their literacy skills are fostered extremely well by the childminder. She is also currently learning Makaton, and actively carries out signing songs with the children in her care. As well as providing a wealth of books in line with themes, she uses everyday situations to further extend children's development, such as helping them to identify familiar letters on car number plates. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.7

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 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8