Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 320836 Inspection date 04/05/2011 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 2000. She lives with her husband and their children aged 14 and 11 years in the Yeadon 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, along with a first floor bathroom and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder has a rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five 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 three children in this age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register, although there are currently no children on roll within this age group. The childminder attends groups during the week 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

Children's welfare is promoted well overall, although certain requirements are not fully met. Observation, assessment and planning systems are generally effective in ensuring children make good progress in their learning and development. There is appropriate partnership working with parents in order to promote inclusion and the childminder is aware of working with other professionals or providers, although there is no requirement to do so at present. A welcoming, safe and accessible environment is created, enabling children to make choices about what they would like to do. Self-evaluation systems are generally good in identifying strengths and areas for development 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 record of risk assessments consistently include details of the date they were completed, by whom and any date of review (Documentation). 11/05/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop knowledge and understanding of the responsibilities under food hygiene legislation including registration with the relevant Local Authority Environmental Health Department and review nappy changing procedures  enhance the systems for individualised observational assessment by This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 establishing children's starting points in conjunction with parents and involving them further in their child's learning and by monitoring planning to fully ensure there are no gaps in the curriculum.

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the early years provision

A good knowledge is held of child protection matters and up-to-date safeguarding guidelines are held. The childminder is fully aware that any household members reaching the age of 16 years must be vetted. Children are safe and secure as a result of hazards being identified and minimised well indoors, outdoors and on outings. For example, the childminder checks that car seats are fitted correctly and are appropriate for each child, clear emergency evacuation procedures are displayed and there is a good range of equipment in the home to promote children's welfare. The childminder has an extensive range of policies and procedures to support her practice including those specific to meeting children's individual needs and those reflecting national events. For example, there are policies for supporting children who are experiencing loss or change in their lives and procedures in the event of a terrorist attack. Most documentation is well

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the early years provision

organised and maintained as required, although the records of risk assessments do not consistently include the date they were completed, by whom and any date of review. This is a breach in requirements.

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the early years provision

The childminder welcomes all families and children, including those with specific needs who may need additional support. All children are treated as unique individuals and receive good levels of individual attention and there is no gender bias in the childminder's provision. For example, boys happily engage in role play with the toy kitchen and food. Posters, such as 'welcome' and 'goodbye', depict diversity positively along with resources, such as books and play people that reflect disability, ethnicity and culture. In addition, the childminder celebrates a range of festivals, reflected in a multi-faith calendar.

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the early years provision

Parents are informed about the setting before placement through a detailed childminding file and are asked to provide written information about their child's likes, dislikes and favourite things. Ongoing information relating to children's care and learning is exchanged adequately through daily friendly chats and access to development profiles. Although, the childminder is not fully involving parents in supporting their child's learning at home.

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the early years provision

The childminder has made overall good strides since her last inspection, including keeping mandatory training up to date along with attending some additional courses. She uses the self-evaluation form, internet and childcare publications as part of her systems for self-evaluation and continuous improvement. In addition, she links closely with other childminders to share ideas and look at different aspects of practice. The childminder has devised questionnaires to provide a more formal system for parents to share their views, although these have not yet been distributed. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and show high levels of confidence, independence and interest in their environment which is enhanced with a good range of resources, bright posters and children's artwork. Children are very well behaved, given their age and stage of development, as a result of the childminder's positive reinforcements and gentle encouragement to share and take turns. Certain documentation and discussion with the childminder indicates that children take part in a good range of activities, although the childminder does not actively monitor her provision to fully ensure there are no gaps in the curriculum. The childminder clearly knows the children and their interests well and is very aware of their next steps, highlighted in observations reflected in individual learning journals. Although, she does not clearly establish their abilities and capabilities on entry.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses good questioning and challenge with the children as she effectively supports them to ensure they have a positive approach to learning. She introduces simple counting and calculation as she asks how many wheels the cars have or how many legs the dinosaur has and she encourages children's imagination as she suggests they make pancakes in the role play area. As children pretend to put things in a bowl the childminder asks what ingredients are needed. Children recognise numbers in a book and readily use mathematical language, such as 'heavy' as they compare the weight of the dinosaurs as they hold these up in the air, for instance. There is also discussion about the drinks cup being heavy or light when it is empty or full. Children use language confidently to express their ideas, ask questions and talk about what they are doing. They enjoy choosing books from the low-level shelf. They take these inside the tent and turn the pages

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and outcomes for children

carefully, naming the different colours in one particular story.

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and outcomes for children

Children observe different textures as they describe the construction board as 'bumpy' and enjoy using different objects to construct with. For example, they build a tower carefully with plastic play food cans and delight in showing the childminder their creation. Children competently operate simple programmable toys, such as a laptop, and press buttons on the dinosaur to create the sound of a 'roar'. A good range of creative activities are provided and children clearly enjoy singing as they readily burst into song within their play. The childminder suitably teaches children about keeping safe through discussions around road safety and stranger danger, for instance.

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and outcomes for children

Healthy meals and snacks are based on a sample menu which incorporates a wide range of fruit and vegetables and home-made meals. Children further learn about a healthy lifestyle through planting and growing and partaking in fruit and vegetable printing. The childminder talks about where different types of food, such as cheese and melon, come from and reinforces children's understanding through using pictures from the internet. She makes effective use of facilities within her local and wider community to provide children with good access to fresh air and exercise and extend their experiences. For example, children visit museums, play centres, childminding groups and farms. The childminder has a good understanding of food hygiene issues, although she is not aware of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 requirements to register with the Food Standards Agency. She models and

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and outcomes for children

encourages mostly effective hygiene routines, although the use of gloves during nappy changing does not fully minimise cross-infection. 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 3 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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