Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 320533 Inspection date 20/04/2011 Inspector Rachel Ayo

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and three children aged 12, 11 and nine years in the Alwoodley area of Leeds in West Yorkshire. Local amenities include schools, nurseries, parks and a library. Shops and public transport links are close by. The whole ground floor of the property is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder has two cats and a guinea pig.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of whom three may be in the early years age range. When working with an assistant she may care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of whom six may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for six children in this age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and there are currently children on roll within this age group. The childminder attends local groups during the week and she takes and collects children from a local nursery. The childminder 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

Children's welfare, learning and development are promoted well in most aspects, although certain requirements are not fully met. Systems for planning and individualised observational assessment are generally effective in ensuring that children are supported in making good progress across the six areas of learning. Partnerships with parents and other providers are effective in meeting children's individual needs and promoting inclusion. The childminder reflects on her practice through a range of ways in order to evaluate what she does, and plans for the future are appropriately targeted in order to continue to improve outcomes for children.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure that the daily record of atttendance includes the names of the persons looking after the children to confirm that adult to child ratios are adhered to at all times (Documentation) 04/05/2011

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further?

 ensure that there is a clear record of the risk assessment completed on all areas used by the children clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 04/05/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 review the snack time routine and develop knowledge and understanding of the responsibilities under food hygiene legislation with regards to registration with the relevant Local Authority Environmental Health Department  further minimise cross infection by improving hand washing routines and the arrangements for cooling food and discarding food items that have been on the floor in the bin  ensure that the risk assessment covers anything with which a child may come into contact, with specific reference to the trampoline, low level wine bottles, small gap in the fence and sharp pieces of broken fencing.

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the early years provision

The childminder keeps her child protection training up-to-date which means she is fully aware of her responsibilities. The most up-to-date guidance and procedures are kept to hand in order for concerns to be passed on promptly. Adults working at the setting have been subject to vetting to ensure they are suitable to work with the children. Adequate risk assessments are undertaken overall, although certain hazards are not included, such as low-level bottles of wines, the trampoline, a small gap in a fence and sharp edges of broken fencing. The home is well secured. Visitors are asked to sign in on their arrival and children are appropriately supervised by adults. There are good procedures for promoting children's welfare on outings, such as the use of flourescent wrist bands displaying the childminder's contact number. The childminder is fully aware of car seat requirements and she has even used her good knowledge to advise parents.

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the early years provision

Most documentation is maintained well and organised effectively to promote the efficient and safe management of the provision. However, there is no clear record of the risk assessment undertaken on all areas of the home including when it was completed, by whom and date of review. In addition, her assistant's hours of attendance are not recorded to confirm that adult-to-child ratios are adhered to at all times. These omissions are breaches in requirements. The childminder has devised a whole host of policies and procedures, most of which are implemented well in the setting to promote good outcomes for children. The induction arrangements for those working at the setting are satisfactory in ensuring they are aware of their roles and responsibilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder is the chairperson for her local childminding group which is used as a forum for reviewing aspects of practice and sharing ideas. She has close links with her local authority and local children's centre and uses childcare publications to keep up-to-date with any new initiatives. The childminder attends additional courses and plans for the future include training for her assistant and the development of planning and learning journals.

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the early years provision

Parents are provided with good information before placement through a detailed childminding file and they are highly encouraged to share what they know about This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their child. Newsletters, notices, daily communication and access to profiles keeps parents well informed about what their children do and they are actively involved in supporting their next steps at home. Parents express extremely complimentary comments about the provision. The childminder closely links with staff at the nursery that children attend in order to ensure a coherent approach to their care and education.

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the early years provision

The childminder values all children as unique individuals. She finds out about their home routines, likes, dislikes, individual dietary or health needs, interests, what they can do, comforters and what equipment they may use, such as for sleeping or eating. As a result, they develop a strong sense of security and are fully included in the life of the setting. All children are able to access resources equally. For example, toys for the youngest children are stored around the playroom and on the bottom shelf of wooden units. There is no gender bias in the provision as boys push a doll in a pram around the childminder's home. A good range of resources and activities help children to learn about the diverse society in which they live.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, well settled and have very good levels of confidence and self- esteem as a result of effective settling-in arrangements. They clearly feel safe and secure due to the positive relationships established with the childminder and her assistant, both of whom demonstrate a warm, caring manner. Individual learning journals containing, for instance, annotated photographs linking to the six areas of learning, show that regular observations are undertaken. This information is then used effectively to inform children's next steps. The childminder incorporates these within activities, some of which are based on particular topics or themes, such as Easter. She makes effective use of facilities within her local community, such as different groups, to enhance children's experiences.

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and outcomes for children

Babies and toddlers demonstrate a very positive approach to learning as they actively explore their environment which is enhanced through bright posters and displays of their work in the playroom. The childminder and her assistant show good levels of interest in what children say and do as they sit alongside them on the floor as they play. They effectively support their communication skills as they ask questions, example what certain toys do and encourage them to talk about what they are doing. Babies babble in response and toddlers attempt to form simple sentences and use gestures to indicate their needs. They clearly enjoy playing the musical instruments and joining in with action songs, such as, 'Twinkle, twinkle, little star', and the childminder and her assistant praise toddlers as they highlight the same shape on a cushion. The use of props, such as small world animals, which toddlers choose as they sing, 'Old McDonald had a farm' engage

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and outcomes for children

Children collected from nursery show a strong sense of belonging as they readily choose their preferred activity on arrival and help to set up the table in preparation for their lunch. The childminder and her assistant introduce numbers and counting, for example, as toddlers build with construction toys then proudly show off their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 tall tower. Although natural materials and objects that enable babies and toddlers to fully explore and investigate are limited, the childminder explains that they do have good access to these at the groups she attends. Given their age and stage of development, toddlers show very little unwanted behaviour, and any minor incidents, such as a dispute over the same toy, are dealt with sensitively. Good distraction techniques and positive reinforcements are used. Children are appropriately helped to learn about dangers and how to stay safe through

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and outcomes for children

discussions, for example, around road safety, and they take part in regular emergency evacuation procedures to learn about what to do in the event of a fire.

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with a wide range of nutritious meals and snacks which are generally freshly prepared and home made, although the childminder is unaware of registering with the Food Standards Agency. Children are actively involved in helping to prepare food, such as bread and pizzas. Babies and toddlers clearly enjoy the fish pie and vegetables as they readily tuck into this. Children help harvest fruit and vegetables, enabling them to learn about where certain foods come from, and complete a 'five-a-day' chart to look at whether they are eating the recommended portions. They have good access to outdoors where they use a wide variety of small and large equipment, and opportunities are enhanced through interesting visits, for example, to the farm. Babies' and toddlers' physical skills are developing very well as they confidently pull themselves up on furniture and precariously take steps on their own with support from adults.

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and outcomes for children

Certain hygiene routines are appropriate in helping children to stay healthy. For example, nursery-aged children wash their hands before eating, the childminder washes her hands before preparing food and antibacterial hand wash is used. Babies' and toddlers' hands are washed before lunch after being placed in highchairs and before they have a snack. However, due to snack time taking place on a rug they crawl about again before eating which is counterproductive to the previous good hand-washing. In addition, arrangements for hand washing after nose wiping and for ensuring food is at an appropriate temperature does not effectively minimise cross-infection and on one occasion the childminder's assistant gives a biscuit back to a child after this has been dropped. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 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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