Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 319798 Inspection date 25/02/2011 Inspector Angela Ellis

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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 1993 and occasionally works with an assistant. She lives with her husband and one grown up child in Tingley, on the outskirts of Wakefield. This is a short distance from the motorway network. There are local amenities nearby, including, parks, shops and schools. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom of the property are used for childminding purposes. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play.

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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 which may be in the early years age range. There is currently one child in this age range. She also offers care to children over five years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children to and from the local school. She has completed the required childminding training and 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 provides a friendly, welcoming environment with a wide range of stimulating activities that are available to all children, therefore promoting inclusive practice. This enables all children to make good progress in all aspects of their learning and development. She has an effective knowledge of each child's needs, and ensures that she promotes all children's welfare and learning well. The childminder has developed successful relationships with the parents and she understands the importance of working with others involved in children's learning and care. She demonstrates a good commitment to continued professional development. There is a generally good self-evaluation system in place to reflect on and evaluate practice, which contributes to maintaining continuous improvement well.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to lead and encourage a culture of reflective practice, self- evaluation and informed discussion to identify strengths and priorities for development that will further improve the quality of provision for all children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder clearly understands her role in child protection and is fully aware of the procedures to follow should a concern arise. This is because she has up-to-date knowledge since attending recent safeguarding training which was a recommendation she has implemented since the last inspection. All of the records required for safeguarding and promoting children's welfare are maintained well. Risk assessments clearly identify all aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis. This includes effective risk assessments for each type of outing. The childminder has devised an extensive range of policies and procedures that inform parents well about the service she provides.

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the early years provision

The childminder expresses effective ambition, vision and drive to develop the service further. For example, she regularly attends relevant childcare courses, accesses websites to research ideas for activities, reads relevant publications and has links with the local Sure Start children's centre to keep up-to-date with current practice. The system of self-evaluation is generally effective. The childminder describes in detail how she encourages and facilitates good outcomes for children. She makes a sound evaluation of how she has benefited from training she has completed. Furthermore, she evaluates what her priorities for improvement are in relation to the extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning. However, she does not sufficiently evaluate what her priorities for improvements are within some of the other outcomes. The effectiveness with which the childminder deploys resources is good because she uses space imaginatively. Furniture, equipment and

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the early years provision

resources are of a good quality and appropriate for the ages of children to support their learning and development. The home is safe and conducive to learning and children clearly thrive as a result of the setting they are in. For example, toddlers can independently access a wide range of toys and activities. The childminder has steps in place to ensure resources and the environment are sustainable. For example, they recycle waste and children water the vegetables and herbs that have been planted in the garden.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very experienced and has worked with children for 18 years. In that time successful relationships have been developed with parents and children, which contributes to inclusion, meeting children's needs consistently and providing continuity of care. The childminder meets the individual needs of children well irrespective of background or ability. Communication between the childminder and the parents is very good. For example, text messages are exchanged between the childminder and parents during the day which reassures the parents that their child is settled. Parents are given information on how to extend their children's learning at home. Their views are frequently sought and their feedback is highly valued and acted upon. When children start, the childminder gleans information from parents and observes the children to find out what they know, what they can do and enjoy. This identifies children's starting points and forms the basis for effective

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the early years provision

ongoing assessment which parents contribute to. Parents highly praise the childminder for the quality of service that their children receive and are extremely happy to recommend the service to others. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is aware of the importance of making links with other care providers that children may attend and has effective systems in place; although, none of the children are cared for by any other settings that deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage at present. The childminder actively promotes equality and diversity and has a good knowledge of each child's background and needs. She ensures that her own knowledge about different cultures is up-to-date and makes the most of a wide range of resources that represent diversity to help children understand about the society they live in.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a very good understanding of the learning and development and welfare requirements, which contributes to her effectively promoting children's welfare and learning. Good relationships have been established and children make very good progress in their learning in relation to their capabilities and starting points. A very child-centred environment is provided, in which examples of children's artwork are displayed. The childminder makes good use of resources within the local community to extend children's experiences. For example, children regularly attend events and activities at the local library.

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and outcomes for children

The children are confident and are given time and space to enjoy and achieve well by being able to play independently as well as take part in adult-initiated activities. They are supported well by the childminder at appropriate times, demonstrating that she understands when, and when not, to intervene. Toddlers are naturally very inquisitive and explore a wide range of sensory activities. They show interest in the coloured cotton reels, stacking them up and then enjoying knocking them over. They express delight when exploring musical instruments and pressing the keypad on the electronic laptop. The childminder reads stories, sings familiar songs and rhymes, and gives praise and encouragement to the children. They respond well by clapping their hands, vocalising and smiling. Warm and trusting relationships have been developed between the childminder and the children, which demonstrates that they feel safe. Children have a balance between freedom

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and outcomes for children

Observations are undertaken of children and these are matched to the areas of learning; the next step of learning for individual children is identified within the assessment to inform plans. The assessment profiles are very well presented and provide parents with a good personalised record of their child's progress. That includes lots of photographs and things that they have made. There is an effective system for tracking progress in place. This clearly identifies where the gaps in children's progress are across the areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and growing independence are supported extremely well. Effective procedures and routines are in place to manage hygiene, illness, and cross infection because the childminder has gained a level 2 qualification in infection control. Children learn about the benefits of healthy eating well. Parents provide meals for their children and the childminder provides information about This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 providing healthy meals. Children have good opportunities to engage in a varied range of physical activities, both indoors and out, and gain a secure understanding about the importance of regular exercise and fresh air as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Children learn to care about, and respect each other, through learning to share, take turns and use good manners. The childminder successfully provides a wide range of activities that captures children's interests and, therefore,

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and outcomes for children

they behave well. Children's progress in communicating, literacy, numeracy, and information and communication technology skills is developing well so that they are well equipped with the skills they need in order to secure future learning. For example, children learn mathematical language during play and develop skills in numeracy, problem solving through games and counting in daily routines. Everything that happens within the day is used as an opportunity to learn. 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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