Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY360129 Inspection date 24/05/2011 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 has been registered since 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged twelve and seven in Leeds. All downstairs rooms are used for childminding. A securely enclosed rear garden is available to children for outside play. There are no accessibility problems.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of five children under eight years and is currently minding three children in the early years age group. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and there are a further twelve children on roll. The family have a goldfish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are well cared for in a safe and welcoming environment in which their individual needs are suitably met and they make good progress in their learning and development. Documentation mostly supports the practice and this is filed confidentially. Effective partnerships with parents enable the childminder to promote the individual wellbeing of each child and she understands the benefits of establishing links with others to enhance opportunities for children's learning and development. Systems for evaluating and monitoring the quality of the provision help to identify some strengths and areas to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the system for evaluating and monitoring the quality of the provision, seeking the views of children and parents  improve ways of sharing children's progress with parents and encourage them to share what they know about their child  ensure the risk assessment covers anything with which a child may come into contact, including outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands her role in safeguarding children and is aware of the signs of abuse and neglect. She has a safeguarding policy and procedure, and relevant contact details are all accessible should she need to report a concern or allegation. Children are safe and secure through appropriate practice. Doors are kept secure and children cannot be collected by anyone unauthorised. Parents give This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their signed consent for relevant aspects of their children's care. The childminder is flexible in her care for the children, supporting parents in their role. Documentation is organised well and confidentially filed. The childminder ensures children do not come into contact with any hazards and she makes visual checks as well as some written risk assessments. However, a record of the risk assessment for outings is not in place. The childminder clearly enjoys her work with the children and this

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the early years provision

Children freely access the space they need to play and the playroom is inviting and stimulating. Children's artwork is displayed well, giving children a sense of belonging. Resources are used well to promote children's independence and learning across all areas. Individual profiles contain observations and examples of children's time with the childminder. Parents are aware of these, however, they do not contribute with their own information as these are not routinely shared. Discussion with parents takes place daily to enable the childminder to meet the individual needs of the children. The childminder understands the need to develop links with others to enhance opportunities for children and finds out what children have been doing in other settings. The childminder has begun the process of evaluating her practice, however, the views of parents and children are not yet sought to help her identify strengths and areas to improve.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care and they sing to themselves as they play. Lovely interaction and caring relationships are in place to enable children to be confident and assertive. The childminder knows each child very well and this helps her to provide activities that promote and challenge their development across all six areas of learning. Children lead their own play and the childminder facilitates this, encouraging them to make decisions. Children thoroughly enjoy looking at books and reading with the childminder and they select from a wide range. Children snuggle with the childminder to read a story and she fully involves them, asking relevant questions and giving lots of information. For example, children look at books about guide dogs and the childminder explains how and why they are used. They talk about where butterflies come from as they look at these in a book, noticing the colours and counting how

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and outcomes for children

many. Children enjoy outdoor opportunities, such as planting sunflowers. The childminder has a very approachable style of communication, naturally encouraging children's language and thinking through plenty of conversation. Children enjoy a range of opportunities outside the home, such as visiting local groups, or going for walks in the local area. The childminder helps them to identify the seasons and the weather and they engage in interesting discussion about this. Children use their imaginations well as they dress and feed their babies and the childminder joins in to enhance their play.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is supported through appropriate policies, practices and personal hygiene routines. They are encouraged to be aware of what they need, such as a drink or a tissue, through appropriate reminders and discussion. Outdoor and indoor activities appropriately support children's health and they have regular This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 opportunities to enjoy fresh air. Children enjoy a suitable range of healthy meals and snacks and the childminder works closely with parents to ensure all dietary needs are met. Children have constant access to drinks regularly throughout the day which ensures they are not thirsty. Mealtimes are lovely social occasions in which the childminder eats with the children and they chat about their food. Children have a positive attitude to healthy eating and say things like 'I love carrots'. The childminder offers second helpings of food that children enjoy and

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and outcomes for children

older children are able to put forward their favourite meal suggestions. Children are given plenty of choices about what they eat, what colour cutlery they would like and what they would like to drink, promoting their independence well and helping them to develop skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder helps children to understand equality and diversity through activities and discussion, encouraging them to consider the needs and feelings of others and to behave with respect for each other and their environment. She ensures all children are fairly included and can join in at their own pace. Positive strategies are used to manage children's behaviour and the childminder has a calm and patient approach. Children are encouraged to take responsibilities for small tasks, such as helping to put the toys away, and the childminder ensures this is fun by suggesting a tidy-up race. She gives plenty of praise and encouragement to help children to feel good about themselves, using positive words like 'brilliant' and 'impressive'. Simple rules are in place for different ages of children so that they understand acceptable behaviour. These are written positively and include 'enjoy playing' as one of the rules.

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and outcomes for children

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 3 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 3

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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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