Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 319987 Inspection date 30/03/2011 Inspector Paula Fretwell

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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 1995. She lives with her family in Yeadon, near Leeds. The whole ground floor of the property is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed 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 whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for five children in this age group. The childminder is registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and there are currently two children being cared for within this age group. The childminder takes and collects children from school and attends groups within the community during the week.

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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 well cared for in a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder supports children's individual welfare, learning and development needs well and she has positive partnerships with parents overall. The childminder is aware of the importance of evaluating and monitoring the quality of the provision and the recommendations from the last inspection have been addressed.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to enhance opportunities for children's learning and development  develop ways to incorporate information from parents in children's profiles, to include what they know about their child  extend the system for monitoring and evaluating the quality of the provision, to include the views of parents and children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children and she is clear about the procedure to follow for dealing with any child protection concerns or allegations. Children are safe through the childminder completing risk assessments for potential hazards in their environment. In her practice with the children, the childminder encourages them to be aware of their own safety. For example, they practise and discuss fire evacuation regularly and when they are playing outside the childminder reminds them to take care with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 wheeled toys. All toys and equipment are safe and in good condition.

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the early years provision

Secure procedures ensure children can not be collected by anyone unauthorised. Children freely explore and access the space they need to play and resources are accessible so they can help themselves. The childminder rotates the toys from a wider range to maintain children's interest. Profiles of children's learning and development link to the areas of learning and the childminder uses the 'look, listen and note' system for recording. Parents can see these at any time although these records do not yet include information from parents about their child.

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the early years provision

All necessary written parental consent is in place for aspects of the children's care. Daily communication with parents keeps the childminder informed about important matters. The childminder understands the need to develop links with others who have responsibility for each child, when this is relevant to children in her care. Systems are developing to monitor and evaluate the practice and the childminder knows the setting's strengths and areas to improve, although she does not yet seek the views of parents and children in this process.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and busy in the childminder's care and they have fun learning through play. Secure relationships with the childminder enable the children to develop confidence and they assertively make their needs known. The childminder responds promptly and spontaneously to children, helping them with what they need. Children's independence and social skills are encouraged throughout all aspects of their routine, helping them to develop skills for the future. The childminder knows each child in her care very well and this enables her to plan purposeful experiences based upon their interests. For example, children's recent hair cuts lead to ideas for activities around things that grow and children plant and grow cress.

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and outcomes for children

There is a good balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities to promote children's development across all six areas of learning. Children enjoy playing with one other and the childminder joins in to enhance opportunities for them. For example, they thoroughly enjoy working together to build with bricks and playing outdoors with the small world set. The childminder chats to children and extends their knowledge through skilled questions. They discuss how some animals sleep in the winter and how starfish swim in the sea. The childminder is sensitive to the needs of children and knows their likes and dislikes. For example, she is aware that some children are not fond of insects and so they talk about positive aspects, such as, bees making honey, to help them feel less afraid. Children love to be outdoors and they use their imaginations well as they dig their tractors in the soil, becoming engrossed in play. They develop their physical skills through plenty of climbing,

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and outcomes for children

running and using scooters. Children notice aeroplanes going by and they enjoy chatting about holiday destinations with the childminder. Opportunities for children to socialise with others take place as they visit local groups, where they can meet other children and be involved in creative art and craft activities. Children enjoy showing examples of their creativity, such as, their Easter pictures on display. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's good health is supported through effective practices and personal hygiene routines. Good attention and discussion is offered to promote hygiene, for example, children have their own hand towels and the childminder talks to them about how germs spread. Children enjoy a wide range of fresh fruit and healthy snacks and they can have drinks whenever they need to. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure individual dietary needs are met.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder helps children to understand and value diversity through the provision of positive images, daily activities and play. She helps them to understand the feelings of others through discussion in everyday ways. Positive strategies are used to manage children's behaviour and the childminder has a fair and consistent approach. Children feel good about themselves as the childminder gives plenty of meaningful praise and encouragement. 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 3 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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