Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY419724 Inspection date 27/06/2011 Inspector Ingrid Szczerban

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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 2010 and works from her home with another childminder. She lives with her husband and children aged seven and three, in the Pudsey area of Leeds. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a dog and two guinea pigs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum number of four children at any one time; two of whom may be in the early years age group. When working with her co-childminder they may care for a maximum of nine children; five of whom may be in the early years age group. There are currently eight children on roll, of these; five are in the early years age range. Children are taken and collected from school. Younger children visit toddler groups and adventure play centres each week and the library every fortnight. The childminder 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

On the whole the welfare needs of children are met. Satisfactory attention is given to meeting the learning and development needs of children. Children take part in a range of activities and make steady progress in all areas of learning. Inclusive practice is promoted adequately and children are valued and respected as individuals. There is good partnership working with parents and basic links are established with other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has devised a system to evaluate her provision and to identify areas for improvement. She demonstrates a satisfactory capacity to continuously improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the risk assessment in relation to the storage of toys to ensure that there is sufficient clear space for children to move around safely in the play room  improve hygiene practice when changing nappies and clean the changing mat between use for each child  develop further the range of resources for babies to explore natural materials make mark-making activities readily available for children and increase the provision for extending Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy  develop the range of experiences and resources for children in everyday activities which reflect all aspects of diversity. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

On the whole children are adequately safeguarded. All adults in the home have appropriate checks and the childminder has a sound understanding of how to report any concerns she has about children. Written risk assessments are effectively implemented on the whole to ensure that children are kept from harm. For instance, a safety gate is used on the doorway of the playroom and the childminder fastens the harness on the high chair so that babies are kept safe. However, sometimes there is insufficient free space for children because the floor in the play room is covered in toys and children trip over them. All other potential hazards on the premises and on outings are minimised. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and seeks all required written consents from parents. For example, she has prior consent to give medication and to seek any necessary emergency medical treatment or advice, should the need arise.

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the early years provision

Space and resources are generally organised satisfactorily. Children are able to choose from toys kept either on the floor or in boxes in the play room. The premises are clean and well maintained. In the main hygiene practice is satisfactory. However, children are not fully protected from cross-infections as the nappy changing mat is not cleaned between uses for each child. The individual care and dietary needs of children are met. The childminder takes care to read the labels on foods she buys and so ensures that they are appropriate, she also liaises effectively with parents as new foods are introduced.

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the early years provision

There is good partnership working with parents. The childminder uses a variety of means to communicate with them, such as daily chats and feedback sheets, photographs of activities posted on a secure social networking site on the internet and the children's profiles are freely accessible to the parents, so learning is shared between the settings. Though no children currently attending go to any other setting delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage, basic links with some teachers at school are in place where the over fives attend.

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the early years provision

The childminder has devised a system to evaluate her provision and to identify areas for improvement. Regular discussions with her co-childminder, parents' questionnaires and observations of the children, are used to identify areas for improvement. More games and equipment for the older children have been acquired. Future plans include extending opportunities for children to progress in problem solving, reasoning and numeracy, raising their awareness of diversity, converting the garage to a playroom and establishing a growing area in the garden. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a sound understanding overall of children's learning and development so that steady progress is made. She plans a range of activities loosely based around the six areas of learning and the interests of children. A record of children's progress is kept in files and the childminder identifies the next steps in their individual learning. Information gathered from parents before children start is used to help settle children and make their transition as seamless as possible. For instance, home routines for sleeping and eating patterns are followed.

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and outcomes for children

On the whole effective practices are employed to ensure that children learn how to keep themselves safe. The childminder reminds children about the need to tidy toys away so they do not hurt themselves, though this is sometimes too late. The childminder says she teaches them about road safety, and fire drill is practised regularly. Good levels of supervision ensure that babies feel happy and secure.

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and outcomes for children

The children are at ease in their warm relationships with their childminder who provides them with lots of smiles, words of encouragement and cuddles. As a result they gain in confidence and are well behaved. Good manners are promoted and children learn to say please and thank you. They sit well at the table or in a highchair and learn how to feed themselves. Visits to toddlers' groups, shops and adventure play areas teach children about the world around them and help them learn to socialise. Some customs and cultures of people from around the world are introduced to children to help them begin to appreciate similarities and differences, but everyday experiences provided to teach children about diversity are limited. Creativity is valued and the childminder displays children's art work on the walls. Babies shake rattles and like to listen to the sounds they generate. However, the majority of their toys are plastic; few resources made from natural materials are

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and outcomes for children

available to help them to explore more fully the world around them.

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and outcomes for children

Active, healthy lifestyles are promoted. Children love to be outdoors. They benefit from daily fresh air and exercise in the garden or on outings. Babies have plenty of free space in the garden to practise their newly found walking skills and those not yet walking, sit on a blanket to play under the shade of a tree. The childminder is vigilant to make sure that children are protected from the harmful effects of the sun. She liberally applies high factor sun cream to their skin and makes sure they wear hats. Sufficiently healthy and balanced meals and snacks are given to children; these include both fresh and processed foods, as well as regular drinks.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder responds with enthusiasm to the gestures, sounds and single words used by babies to encourage their language development. Children also enjoy singing time with the childminder which helps to progress their communication skills. Observations in children's profiles show that children engage in mark-making and counting activities, however, these are not freely available or used often in continuous provision. 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 3 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 3 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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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