East Leeds Pupil Referral Unit

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 130333 Inspection date 22/03/2011 Inspector Diane Turner

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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 1984. She lives with her husband and two children aged 17 and 15 in a semi-detached house in north Watford in Hertfordshire. All of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding purposes, with toilet facilities situated on this level. There is a separate playroom accessed via the enclosed garden. The family keep a tortoise and fish as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds an appropriate level 3 childcare qualification and is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register to care for six children under eight years at any one time, three of whom may be within the early years age group. The childminder is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. There are currently six children on roll, four of whom are within the early years age group. They all currently attend on a part-time basis.

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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

Children are cared for in a welcoming family home where the uniqueness of each one is recognised and valued highly. They are offered a good range of learning opportunities both in the home and outdoor environment, which are supported well by the excellent range of resources. Excellent partnerships are forged with the parents ensuring the care the children receive is an extension of their home life. All the necessary documentation is in place, however, this occasionally lacks the necessary detail and the systems to monitor and assess the children's progress are not fully developed. Good attention is paid to monitoring the quality of the service using a variety of means. Parents and children play an active part in this, which results in a setting that is very responsive to the needs of all its users.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the record of the risk assessment  develop further the system for monitoring and assessing children's progress in their learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder's arrangements for safeguarding children are highly effective. She has a good understanding of her responsibilities in terms of child protection and ensures parents are also made fully aware of this. The childminder keeps a record of any visitors to the home and ensures she has clear details of those authorised to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 collect the children. Her home is safe in all areas, with any risks minimised effectively. The childminder has a good range of well-thought-out policies and procedures and these, alongside the well-maintained documentation, ensures the service operates efficiently. However, the record of the risk assessment does not clearly show when it was completed for all areas.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides children with a highly supportive learning environment, including the provision of a dedicated playroom. This is attractively decorated and offers an excellent range of inviting toys and resources, including those made by the childminder, such as story sacks. The childminder is committed to providing high quality care. She is keen to improve her practice through training and has started to use the Ofsted self-evaluation form to identify her strengths and areas for improvement. For example, from this she realised that the children's opportunities to use the tent were being limited because this had to be packed away after use so she cleared out the shed and set the tent up here permanently, much to the delight of the children. The childminder has clearly identified areas she wants to improve in the future to enhance the outcomes for children further. For example, she is working towards the local authority quality assurance award.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows an excellent commitment to promoting equality and diversity. She asks parents to complete a highly detailed 'All about me' form for their child prior to the placement beginning which ensures she has an in-depth understanding of each child's interests, abilities and dislikes. She skilfully fosters the children's individual learning styles and values any additional languages they may use. For example, she discusses how the learning of key words not only enables her to communicate effectively with the children but also enhances her own knowledge. The childminder is very proactive in helping the children to be accepting of the diverse society in which they live and to value the customs and beliefs of others. For example, she enables them to celebrate festivals from around the world, with parents being fully consulted to ensure these are celebrated correctly. The childminder also ensures she develops good links with providers of

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the early years provision

other settings the children may also attend, to promote a shared approach to their care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder's commitment to promoting her partnership with parents is exceptional. She provides them with excellent information when the placement begins and on an ongoing basis through detailed daily diaries and regular newsletters. Parents are actively encouraged to be involved in the children's learning. For example, the children are able to take 'Travelling Ted' home with them and parents are asked to record his adventures in his diary. The children's learning journal is shared regularly and parents are asked to comment on their children's progress. Questionnaires are used very effectively to gauge parents continuing satisfaction of the service and these, alongside written testimonials left for the inspector, show parents hold the childminder in the highest regard. 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 provides the children with a good range of learning opportunities, including focused activities based around themes, free play and visits and outings. This enables the children to learn successfully in different ways. The childminder has a very calm and caring approach and, as a result, the children develop close and trusting relationships with her. This is very evident as she interacts with them as they play. For example, lots of laughter ensues as she plays peek-a-boo with them using pieces of sheer material. The childminder has a very enthusiastic approach and this inspires the children to take part in the activities. For example, she delights in showing them how to make different sounds as she strikes the stepping stones with a wooden spoon and the children keenly follow her lead. The childminder keeps a learning journal for each child to record their progress. These include written observations and photographs of the children at play and examples

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and outcomes for children

of their artwork, providing parents with a treasured memento of their children's early years. However, the childminder does not always use the information she gathers to identify the children's next steps or to inform her planning of future activities.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder actively encourages the children to explore the textures and properties of natural, found and recyclable items in open-ended ways. For example, they become fully immersed and show sustained concentration as they handle wooden items and find toy animals hidden within a tray of fabric strips. The childminder constantly engages the children in conversation and uses singing in a highly effective manner to promote everyday routines. For example, her hand- washing song encourages the children to use soap and to dry their hands fully. The childminder displays photographs of who is present each day, which gives the children a real sense of belonging and she displays the numeral relating to their age underneath to encourage their understanding of the use of number.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder acknowledges the children's achievements with lots of praise and consequently they have high levels of self-esteem and behave well. For example, they demonstrate good social skills as they sit at the table to eat and they beam with pride as she helps them to try new activities, such as keeping their balance as they walk along the stepping stones. The childminder actively encourages the children to follow a healthy lifestyle. As a result, they relish being outdoors in the fresh air when they demonstrate good control of their bodies as they use wheeled toys and play with balls and hoops. Visits to the park to use the large play equipment compliment these activities well. The children enjoy a wide variety of fresh fruit for their snack and they learn about how food can be sourced as they grow beans, tomatoes and salad leaves in the garden. The children learn the importance of following good hygiene routines from an early age and they delight

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and outcomes for children

in choosing which towel will be theirs to use for the day. The childminder very effectively helps the children to follow safe and responsible practices. For example, she teaches them road safety when out in the community and provides wrist bands for them to wear with her contact details in case they become separated from her. 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 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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