Burrows, Gail

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 302149 Inspection date 09/05/2011 Inspector Kaldip Chaggar-Brown

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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 1990 and lives with her husband and their three children, two of whom are adults. The family live in Menston an area between Leeds and Ilkley in West Yorkshire. The childminder works with her husband who is registered as her assistant. The premises are within easy reach of public transport, shops, parks, schools and community resources. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding along with an upstairs sleeping room. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area to the rear of the property. The provision is open for 50 weeks a year and the childminder offers 24 hour care. The home is accessible.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of ten children under eight years. There are currently six children attending, of whom three are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers care to children over five years. The childminder supports children who speak English as an additional language. Children are taken to and collected from schools and pre-schools. The childminder has achieved a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in care, learning and development. She is supported by the local authority and is also a member of the National Childminding Association. The family have a cat.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's welfare and learning are promoted exceptionally well and as result, children are individually achieving their full potential. Strong and effective partnerships with parents, other childcare providers and other agencies ensure that children's needs are fully met. Highly effective self-evaluation is carried out by the childminder and improvements are implemented very successfully. Outcomes for children are outstanding as a result.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue to check for signs of wear and tear on play equipment and take action as necessary.

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the early years provision

The childminder's leadership and managements skills are extremely well developed, resulting in a provision that is very well run. The childminder is very experienced and has high aspirations to provide a quality provision. Children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safeguarded as a result of the childminder's consistent awareness of how to keep children safe. She ensures that training, such as first aid, is kept up-to-date, researches findings about suitability of babies sleeping in pushchairs and that safety notifications about toy withdrawals are taken heed of.

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the early years provision

Clear and detailed policies and procedures, which are reviewed regularly and shared with parents, have been well developed by the childminder. Records related to children's welfare are well documented and inform parents how children's individual needs are clearly met. Risk assessment records, for example, are reviewed in light of changing circumstances, such as a child returning to the setting with a broken leg.

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the early years provision

The childminder has very good systems in place to evaluate her provision and she consults with parents, children, her assistant and other childcare support professionals to seek views of how her provision is running. She has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form and an inclusion audit tool to plan for future improvements. Amongst others, she has identified that she would like to improve her recording in children's progress and attainments which link into reception/year 1 as children make the transition from her provision to school.

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the early years provision

Training courses are attended by the childminder and her assistant which enhance their knowledge and understanding of how to provide a service to meet individual needs of children. For example, training courses about the special nature of outdoor play have developed their understanding of how to make the most of the newly developed outdoor play area when planning activities.

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the early years provision

Relationships with parents are excellent, which has a positive impact on children. The childminder gathers information about children's needs, how they learn and their interests, as well as parental views on the provision. The childminder knows the children and their families very well. Parents receive clear and detailed information about their child's learning, care and achievements from the childminder and they in turn pass on information and share in completing children's learning and development records. The childminder has very good links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which promotes continuity and coherence in children's learning and care.

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the early years provision

Excellent use of resources is made, both within the setting and outside. Play equipment is selected that is specifically designed to last, is suitable for children with individual needs and is interesting and fun to play with. Children are also involved in providing ideas for new equipment. The childminder is very mindful of using natural materials as well as man-made materials so that children can fully develop their sensory skills. Some toys which are well used are beginning to show signs of wear and tear, such as a pedal which is missing from one side of a tricycle, although this does not hinder children's use of it. Local facilities are well used, such as stay and play sessions at the children's centre. The childminder actively seeks grant funding to continually improve her setting, which she has successfully done. The setting is child-focused and children make very good use of the resources and areas available to them.

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the early years provision

Children are welcomed and celebrated as individuals by the childminder. An This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 achievement board is used to show what every child has achieved. Welcome signs in different languages, positive images of children and adults from around the world and resources which allow all children to participate are used everyday to promote diversity. For example, very young children can wear all-in-one waterproof jumpsuits so that they can crawl on the ground safely when playing outdoors. Parents and grandparents are welcomed into the provision to read a story or chat about their job, developing a sense of a childminding family. The childminder offers 24 hour care so that parents can work flexibly to ensure that they are economically viable.

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and outcomes for children

The learning environment, both indoors and outdoors, is stimulating and very well thought out. For example, the outdoor area contains a section that is covered so that children can play out in all weathers. All areas of learning are provided for. The childminder continually reviews what works well and what needs to be changed depending on individual children's needs.

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and outcomes for children

As the childminder often works with an assistant, she is able to ensure that children can choose what they want to do and where. Children have excellent support from the childminder and her assistant, both of whom are very attentive to children's individual needs and able to recognise when children want to play with each other or on their own. This interaction ensures that children are involved in their play and that their learning is actively reinforced and extended. The sharing of this information with parents ensures that they know clearly where their child is at and what the childminder plans next in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's starting points are clearly recorded in detail and parents' comments are included, which helps the childminder plan what she needs to do next in relation to children's learning and development from the first day children start. Ongoing daily discussions ensure that parents are informed of children's routines, achievements and progress. The childminder records excellent detailed notes on all aspects of children's learning. For example, she clearly links what children are doing with specific areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Information is clearly displayed for parents about the different stages of children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children actively take part in an excellent range of activities and experiences which ensure that they can enjoy while learning. Children confidently ask questions and know how to use toys and resources appropriately. For example, they talk to dolls about everyday routines, such as going to sleep. Changes in the weather are used effectively to provide a variation to activities and to raise curiosity in children. For example, when it was snowing, children collected the snow, watched it melt and played with cars in it. As a result, children were learning investigating skills, such as when and why does snow melt and why do cars move slowly through the snow? Children are helped to learn and develop very successfully by the childminder. They show imagination and great independence as well as feel safe in the care of the childminder. 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 developing a good understanding of their local environment through regular outings. They visit local shops, look at the animals in the farm, go paddling in a local river and pond dipping. They are also developing their knowledge of what is happening in the wider world, which country their family and friends may be living in and how people celebrate different festivals. Good use is made of local facilities, such as a field outside the childminder's home where they fly kites when it is windy.

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and outcomes for children

Children's awareness of safety is actively promoted by the childminder, who asks questions, such as 'what happens if you throw a brick in that direction?'. Children move around the provision and use resources safely. Children use a range of tools safely, they negotiate with their friends and cooperate when deciding who should have what. As a result, they are learning valuable skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Excellent opportunities are made available for children to be active. They explore their environment with enthusiasm and make good choices when choosing snacks. Children's independence is actively encouraged in everyday routines, such as putting on their own coats and shoes and pouring drinks for themselves. As children are growing their own fruit and vegetables they are developing an understanding of what is good for them to eat and why. The childminder takes children to a specifically designed children's yoga class where they are beginning to learn about inner health and relaxation. Children's all-round health and well- being are positively promoted by the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Personal care is undertaken by most children on their own; they brush their teeth and know how to use the bathroom safely. Posters act as reminders to children to wash their hands. The childminder actively promotes a can-do attitude and children are sensitively encouraged to join in with activities. The childminder will plan to break down steps so that children can feel a sense of achievement rather than failure at not achieving a task. Children are fully involved in solving any problems. They are learning to respect others, their environment, friends and family. Children are learning about sustainability as they recycle paper, cardboard and plastics. They enjoy planting and growing activities and as a result, are learning about the life cycle of a plant. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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