Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY282610 Inspection date 22/02/2011 Inspector Lindsay Dobson

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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 has been registered since March 2004. She lives with her partner who is a registered assistant and two children aged 12 and nine years in Ledston, on the outskirts of Castleford. The whole of the ground floor as well as three upstairs rooms are used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. When working with an assistant, she may care for no more than 12 children under eight years. At present there are seven children on roll who all attend on a part-time basis. All children are in the early years age range. The childminder also receives nursery education funding for children of eligible age. She is registered to provide overnight care for a maximum of three children under eight years of age.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from school as well as attending the local toddler group, the park and other places of interest. She attends a childminding group on a regular basis, is a member of the National Childminding Association and has received a recognised quality assurance kite mark. The childminder holds an Early Years Professional Status qualification.

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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

Children are at home and thrive in the child-friendly environment where they receive excellent support. Each child is recognised and valued as a unique individual. The childminder spends her time actively involved in their play, extending their learning and development. The professionalism of the childminder ensures the service she provides is flexible, caring and inclusive to meet the individual needs of all children in her care. The childminder maintains her high standards through consistently reviewing and reflecting on her practice, which is in the best interests of children. The childminder recognises that partnership with parents and other agencies is integral to every child's development.

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further?

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

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further?

 introducing numbers as labels to create a more number rich indoor environment for children. 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 attended safeguarding children courses to extend her knowledge and understanding in this area. She is very aware of the indicators that would cause concern and of the record keeping and procedures required to ensure the welfare of children. All documentation is maintained to a high standard for the safe and efficient management of the service including records of accidents, incidents and medication and a register of attendance. The environment in which children are cared for is safe and well-organised and children's safety is paramount to the childminder. Highly effective measures are taken to minimise hazards, including thorough and rigorous risk assessments. The childminder carries out risk assessments for all areas of the home, outdoors and all outings undertaken. She ensures that these are regularly reviewed and also that all areas of the home and garden are checked on a daily basis. This maintains a safe environment for

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the early years provision

children. The childminder has robust systems in place for visitors to the home and checks all identification.

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the early years provision

The childminder is exceptionally well organised. A folder containing qualification and training certificates is available to be viewed by parents. Copies of the purposeful, well-written policies are given to them to retain for future reference, effectively contributing to significantly enhanced partnerships. Parents are encouraged to share what they know about their child's developmental progress when the child initially attends and to complete parental questionnaires to aid the childminder in assessing her service. Visits prior to the commencement of the placement ensure each child integrates at their own unique pace. The childminder has developed effective links with other providers to support children and complement learning when the need for transition and shared care arises. Information about children's activities is shared with parents in daily diaries and development folders as a two-way process, ensuring children are fully supported to

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the early years provision

The childminder continues to work exceptionally hard to maintain her secure knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and this is reflected in her outstanding practice. Professional development takes high priority and ongoing training effectively consolidates the childminder's knowledge and enables her to provide high quality care. The systems the childminder uses to self- evaluate her practice are extremely effective and support her ability to promote continuous improvement. The childminder has a wonderfully bright and stimulating designated play room for the children. She has an excellent range of resources which are stored at the children's level and in labelled storage units. Equality and diversity are of key importance to the childminder and are very effectively promoted with the children. A varied and interesting range of resources and planned and spontaneous activities, ensure the children develop a positive self-

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the early years provision

image, an interest in others and the local community and a curiosity about the wider world. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's home is extremely well organised and children use all available areas. They freely choose resources, which are easily accessible in the designated playroom, to initiate their own choice of play. They have child-size furniture to ensure a comfortable environment and a wealth of good quality play resources. The childminder is highly supportive of children at all times as she is fully involved in activities and effectively oversees independent play. The childminder maintains comprehensive observation and assessment records in children's individual learning journeys. She also records information in daily diaries to ensure progress for each child is shared with their parents. A wide range of documents, including photographs, support observations along with identified stages of development and next steps to ensure they make the best possible progress.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is extremely effective at promoting children's communication, language and literacy. She is actively involved with the 'Every child's a talker' programme and promotes children's developing vocabulary through their play. Children can freely access an excellent range of books and stories which support their interests and which they enjoy. The childminder and children sit together to read a story about a dark night. The childminder turns down the lights in the playroom and as they listen to the story the children shine a torch around the room and onto the pages of the book. They make the owl and mouse noises as they join in with familiar text and help the childminder to turn the pages. Within the setting children can clearly see that print carries meaning, as toy boxes are labelled and written words are displayed on the walls. Children confidently count during their play and use words to describe shape and size. This is because the

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and outcomes for children

childminder is exceptionally skilful in including mathematical language, colours and counting into activities. However, numbers are not continuously displayed in the playroom to create a number rich environment. Children have exceptional opportunities to engage in physical activity at the childminder's home, in the garden, on outings in the local community and on visits to places of interest. The childminder has made extensive alterations to her garden. This now includes hills, ramps, small steps, tyres, areas for drawing and a vast range of wheeled toys. Photographic evidence shows children engaging in sand and water play, planting seeds, collecting bugs and playing ball games. The childminder has received a Local Authority grant to enable her to purchase an outdoor garden room which enables children to flow freely between the indoor and outdoor learning environments and engage in a full range of activities.

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and outcomes for children

All children develop an excellent sense of worth through the first class interaction, care and attention they receive from the childminder. For example, children respond eagerly to constant praise and encouragement and enjoy the warm, caring reassurance from the childminder. They feel good about themselves, show respect for each other and are beginning to manage their own behaviour successfully. The childminder has high expectations and her highly effective use of praise ensures children feel self-assured and supported. The childminder has an excellent understanding of nutrition and offers children fruit and vegetables each day. Meals are freshly prepared, including dishes from different cultures and all are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 provided according to their individual dietary needs. Children learn about their own safety through following the excellent practice of the childminder. She constantly,

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and outcomes for children

but gently, reminds children of safety rules to reinforce safe practice. Children regularly practice the fire drill and have a good understanding of road safety and stranger danger through the daily outings and planned activities they take part in. She explains rules and boundaries to help children understand why they exist. This gives them confidence to explore and learn in a safe and secure, yet challenging, environment. 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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