Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 319601 Inspection date 05/05/2011 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 1989. She lives with her husband who assists with the childminding and her two adult sons in Leeds. The 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. When working with her assistant, she may care for eight children under eight years, no more than five may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for six children in this age group. The childminder is registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and there are currently four children being cared for within this age group. The childminder collects children from school and attends groups within the community during the week. The family has a cat.

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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 and homely environment in which their welfare, learning and development needs are effectively met. Children make good progress towards the early learning goals as they learn through play. The childminder establishes very effective partnership with parents to ensure children's individual welfare needs are met and she has good links with other settings so that learning and development opportunities for children are enhanced. 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?

 ensure systems for evaluating the quality of the provision are reviewed regularly and reflect the current views of children and parents  develop ways to share records of children's progress with parents, including information about what they know about their child.

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the early years provision

Safeguarding is given priority and the childminder has clear procedures to ensure children are protected from harm. Relevant contact details are readily accessible should the childminder need to pass on any concerns or allegations. Risk assessments clearly identify potential hazards and ensure children are kept safe and secure at all times. Children are helped to understand how to keep themselves safe through effective discussion in their play. For example, they are gently This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 reminded not to climb or run in the house and to put their shoes on to play outside so they do not hurt their feet. When out and about the childminder reinforces road safety and stranger danger. Resources are deployed effectively so that children can free flow inside or in the garden as they choose, and the childminder supervises them well. She is assisted at times by her husband, who knows all the

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the early years provision

children and their families well. The childminder ensures her first aid knowledge is up-to-date and keeps all necessary training updated whilst considering further training that may be advantageous to her practice. A selection of toys and resources is made available based upon the children's particular interests and these are rotated from a wider range regularly. All toys and equipment are maintained in good condition so that children play safely. Policies and procedures which effectively underpin the childminder's practice are all in place and the childminder's documentation is fully up-to-date.

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the early years provision

The childminder has used the self evaluation form to consider the quality of the provision, identifying for herself the strengths and areas to improve, however, this is not an ongoing process. The childminder has good relationships with parents. She spends time at the start of placement finding out any important information so that she can best care for their child's particular needs. Parents are very happy with the standard of care and service provided. Letters from parents say the childminder provides 'excellent care in a homely environment', a 'very loving and fun-filled house' and their children 'love going to the childminder's' and 'look forward to their days there'. Parents say their children are like a 'surrogate member of the family' and they give praise for the childminder's flexibility with their varied work patterns. The childminder establishes good partnerships with others who work within the Early Years Foundation Stage in order to enhance the

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the early years provision

learning and development opportunities for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder includes all children very well, enabling them to join in with whatever is taking place at their own pace. She manages mixed ages of children well together, encouraging older children to be aware of the needs of younger ones, such as when they are toddling around. Children help to learn about other people's differences and similarities through discussion, activities and the provision of positive images in resources and books.

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and outcomes for children

Children confidently explore their environment and freely engage in play of their choice. There are good relationships with the childminder so that children feel secure and at home. The childminder is very aware of children's individual stages of development and their personalities and interests. She records their development, tracking progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage with regular observations and comments. Parents are all aware that the childminder records children's progress, however, they do not routinely add to this with their own information about their child. Chats take place daily to share information and the childminder gives copies of photographs to parents, showing how their child has spent their time in the setting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children enjoy the freedom to play inside or outside and the childminder joins in

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and outcomes for children

with their choices of play. For example, she helps them to ride on wheeled toys in the garden and looks at books with them indoors. The childminder promotes children's language skills through the repetition of new words and through plenty of conversation. Children name objects in picture books and the childminder positively reinforces their vocabulary. The childminder uses daily opportunities to enhance children's learning within the routine and as they play. For example, they talk about the colours of their cups as they sit to the table and they notice what is going on around them, such as an aeroplane flying over or a hedgehog outside. Children engage in simple pretend play, such as pushing prams and parking cars. The childminder provides a good balance of child-led and adult-initiated activities suitable for children's interests, and they have opportunities to socialise with others during the week. The childminder helps children to learn about the wider

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and outcomes for children

environment through trips to the park and places of interest in the locality.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health is promoted well through effective policies, procedures and routines. The childminder ensures the children have plenty of fresh air opportunities and they eat a healthy range of meals and snacks, with the childminder working closely with parents to ensure all dietary needs are met. Children are given simple choices, such as yogurt or banana and they are given plenty of time to eat their meals. Conversation is encouraged at mealtimes and the childminder discusses with the children what they might like to do afterwards. Drinks are always available to children so they do not become thirsty. Children's personal hygiene is fully promoted within the daily routine. Children's emotional wellbeing is supported and they approach the childminder for cuddles as they need them, helping them to develop a sense of belonging. She helps them to recognise their own needs, such as when they might feel tired.

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and outcomes for children

Positive praise is frequently given to children and the childminder gives them plenty of individual attention, smiles, cuddles and tickles, helping them to feel valued and important. Strategies for managing children's behaviour take into account children's individual level of understanding and simple house rules are written in positive terms. Children behave very well and they use lovely manners, demonstrated when at the table and when interacting with each other and the childminder. For example, they say 'pardon me' and 'yes please' without being reminded. 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 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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