Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 319621 Inspection date 24/03/2011 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 1985. She lives with her husband in Wetherby, West Yorkshire. Two playrooms and toileting facilities on the ground floor are used by children as well as a first floor bedroom for sleeping. An enclosed garden is available for outdoor play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently twelve part time children on roll, of these; five are within the early years age range. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, and both the compulsory and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

p.4

Description of the childminding

Regular outings include visits to toddler groups, parks and local attractions. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. As part of her service she takes and collects children from a local school. The childminder has completed a quality assurance scheme and is a qualified practitioner to level 3.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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 exceptionally well and children are very much valued and respected as individuals. There are predominantly robust systems in place to promote the welfare needs of children and relationships with parents, carers, and links with external agencies, are very good indeed. The provider assesses the effectiveness of the setting very well, and areas for improvement are accurately identified. An outstanding capacity to continuously drive improvement is demonstrated, in order to ensure that outcomes for children develop positively.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 maintaining a record of all accidents to children, including minor ones.

p.4

the early years provision

Highly effective safeguarding procedures and practices ensure that children are well protected. Household members are vetted, and the childminder has both training and practical experience of dealing with child protection issues. She holds This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 a current first aid certificate and has devised comprehensive risk assessments which are effectively implemented. Security procedures are considered paramount to ensure that children remain safe. For instance, the door is locked and the keys are stored out of reach when children are present. Comprehensive policies and procedures are routinely reviewed, signed and updated when needed and all necessary written consents are obtained from parents.

p.4

the early years provision

Systems in place to keep children healthy are excellent. The house is clean and well maintained. Hygiene posters are displayed in the toilet to remind children about washing hands and the childminder sings a hand washing song with young children to promote their awareness. Excellent hygiene practice is followed to prevent the risk of any cross infections. The childminder washes her hands before preparing food and separate towels are provided for each child. Accidents and medication are meticulously logged and countersigned by parents, including injuries which are sustained at home. However, not all minor accidents to children are recorded.

p.5

the early years provision

The exemplary organisation of space and resources meets each child's individual needs and fully enables them to develop independence, make choices and ensures inclusion. The childminder gives high levels of supervision to children. Children safely choose from a very wide selection of toys and games which are stored at their height, so they are autonomous and supremely confident. All resources used by children are of high quality, suitably challenging and appropriate to their ages and stages of development.

p.5

the early years provision

Relationships with parents, carers, and links with external agencies, are very good indeed. Parents and extended family members are very much partners in children's learning. Innovative practice, such as, the exchange of information between the childminder, parents and grandparents in daily diaries, means that learning is encouraged consistently between the settings. Parents receive packs of information containing the policies and procedures. The childminder invites parents to her home to share in special activities, such as, children role playing a wedding scenario and they all received a DVD of the event. Letters from parents confirm their complete satisfaction with the service provided. Their comments include, 'there has never been a time when my child did not want to go to the childminder'. The childminder successfully compliments the children's development between her home and the school where children attend, through talking with teachers and the

p.5

the early years provision

Inclusive practice is promoted exceptionally well and children are very much valued and respected as individuals. Before children start, extensive information is sought from parents about their child so that their care and development is tailored to their individual needs. The customs, music and food of different cultures are celebrated with children so they learn to appreciate their own way of life and those of others. Portrait photographs of the children are prominently displayed in the hallway which makes children and their families feel welcome and valued.

p.5

the early years provision

Self-evaluation demonstrates effective monitoring and analysis of what the childminder does well and areas for development. Parents and children are involved in the evaluation of the service through regular discussions and the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 planning of activities to reflect children's wishes. The childminder is enthusiastic and highly-motivated to constantly improve outcomes for the children. She seeks out advice and training to develop her service for children by regularly meeting with other childminders to share ideas and completing a quality assurance scheme. So she has improved her documentation, devised risk assessments and expanded the range of activities for children. She has done many training courses over the years, including, self-evaluation and play workshops. She continues to develop her good practice through training.

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 childminder's care and make significant gains in their learning. Children are completely relaxed and very happy in their warm and loving relationships with the childminder. Good manners are promoted well and children get on well together. Minor squabbles over toys are patiently and sensitively dealt with by the childminder. The childminder uses excellent techniques to help children to learn how to manage their behaviour, such as, talking to them about sharing, providing distraction with other similar toys and when they become tired and fractious, she gives them a cuddle and their comfort toys. Children learn about good table etiquette and they sit at the table to eat their snack.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Daily routines are based entirely around the children's needs and their interests. For instance, regular snacks, mealtimes and rest periods are provided. Children showed great interest in a bridesmaids dress in the window of a charity shop. The childminder responded to this by buying the dress, then arranging a role play wedding in her garden complete with cake and the parents as guests. So children learn that their creative ideas are greatly valued and they increase their understanding of the world, customs and cultures, not to mention having a great deal of fun in the process!

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children learn very well about keeping themselves safe. Their understanding of safety is reinforced by the childminder. She explains to them about the special knives for children which they use to cut pieces of fruit. They are taught road safety by the childminder each day and she talks to them about what to do in case of a fire.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Healthy, active ways of life are extensively promoted. Fresh air and exercise are integral to the children's daily routine. Outings to toddler groups, tumble tots, parks, soft play areas and playing in the garden, promote excellent physical development in children. Parents provide lunch for their child and the childminder gives breakfast and always fresh fruit for snacks. Children enjoy eating pieces of mango, apple, melon and grapes. Activities at the toddler group further extend children's understanding of healthy eating as they help to in the preparation of vegetable soup.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children communicate effectively. The childminder is very well attuned to the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 individual speech patterns of the youngest children. She enunciates what they say and so they learn to pronounce more clearly. Three year olds can hold lengthy discussions and have advanced understanding of literacy and how technology works. For instance, they describe in great detail the events surrounding a forthcoming trip with their family. When the childminder writes down what they say and runs out of space in her notebook, the child suggests she might use the computer. 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.8

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.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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

p.8

Stage

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

p.8

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

p.8

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.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9