Whitaker, Diane

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 302587 Inspection date 16/05/2011 Inspector Mr Rasmik Parmar

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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 and she lives with her husband, adult child and one child in Heaton, Bradford, West Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom and one bedroom on the first floor are available to children. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is close to local amenities, including a library, parks and shops.

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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 which may be in the early years age group, and of these, not more than two may be under one year. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 thrive in the well-organised and safe environment. Their learning and development is effectively supported. Children have access to a comprehensive range of interesting activities and stimulating resources. Partnerships with parents and other settings are very effective in ensuring all children are included and their individual needs met. The childminder effectively evaluates her practice to identify strengths and priorities for development in order to promote better outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further children's assessment records to more consistently show the 'next steps' in children's learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has all the required documentation to ensure children's welfare is very effectively safeguarded and promoted. She has very good knowledge of the signs and symptoms to be mindful of and is confident to talk to parents about any concerns, putting the welfare of the children first. Robust risk assessments, covering all areas of the home and outings, ensure risks to children are successfully identified and minimised. She ensures that the suitability of all adults having unsupervised contact is maintained and that anyone who has not been vetted or is not known is never left alone with children. Extensive, well written policies and procedures are shared with parents and underpin the good service provided for children and their families. The childminder's home is welcoming, child This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 orientated and has a comprehensive variety of resources to meet the needs of all

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the early years provision

children, enabling children to play comfortably. Resources are of a good quality and are suitable for the ages of the children to support their learning and development. Children confidently and independently help themselves to resources they want to play with. This helps to build their sense of belonging.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the effective working relationship between the childminder and parents. Parents are kept well informed about their children's care and learning through daily discussion and records of children's achievements. Parents and grandparents feel involved in their child's learning and development as they take home the assessment records and have opportunity to input their own comments. One child in the early years age range attends a school nursery. The childminder has established good links with the teachers as she visits the school regularly with other minded children, so that she is better informed about other aspects of the child's learning and development. The teachers provide the childminder with overall plans of their activities and the childminder ensures that her activities continue along similar themes, in order to reinforce the learning. The childminder provides the teachers with her own assessment records so that they

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the early years provision

are informed about the child's progress towards the early learning goals. This highly effective partnership results in very positive outcomes for the child as there is a consistency in learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has very effective systems in place for self-evaluation. She makes good use of reflective practice on a day-to-day basis and prepares the learning environment to benefit children. She obtains views from parents through the use of 'comment cards' to help improve her service. She meets regularly with local childminders and they share good practice. The childminder is visited by early years development workers from the local authority, who monitor her provision and help to raise standards. All this contributes to a continuously improving environment for the benefit of children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder plans the educational programme to meet the needs of all children. Their interests and abilities are taken into consideration when planning the stimulating range of experiences for children. She uses her good knowledge of early years to make links between the activities and the learning outcomes for children. She maintains assessment records which contain observations of children's activities together with photographic evidence. She identifies the 'next steps' to enable children to move on in their learning and development. However, this is not done consistently. The childminder carries out regular assessments of children's progress for the six areas of learning so that she is aware of their abilities.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about and use numbers in their play. They count objects and are beginning to identify quantities and the concept of more or less than. A good range of resources are provided which support children's understanding of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 numerical concepts. The childminder supports children's developing communication, language and literacy skills through activities, such as, visits to the library to select books and through the good interaction and use of questions. Children's independence is well supported. They are able to express their own ideas for what they want to do and to select activities for themselves. The childminder is on hand to offer encouragement and support when needed and to give praise for achievements. Children learn how to behave well and their art work is clearly displayed as a celebration of their achievements. This helps to boost

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and outcomes for children

Consideration is given to ensuring that children understand the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle. They are given a good level of encouragement to develop personal hygiene. Children are cared for in a clean and well organised environment. Children enjoy freshly prepared and very nutritious snacks and meals and have constant access to drinks. Children taste different types of fruit and vegetables, including a good range of foods from different cultures as part of broadening their awareness of the wider world. Children learn about where food comes from and participate in the growing of pea shoots, garlic, spinach, lettuce and potatoes in the childminder's garden. They also develop an appreciation of wastage and learn to recycle paper, card, tins, glass bottles, leaves and grass.

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and outcomes for children

Children are also taught about the importance of regular exercise and their physical well-being is promoted through regular outings to the parks and outings in the local community. Children are actively encouraged to develop an understanding of how to stay safe as the childminder constantly teaches them road safety and about safety in the home. During outings children are always in very close proximity of the childminder. 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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