Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 310980 Inspection date 09/05/2011 Inspector Hilary McKenning

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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 1995. She lives with her family in the village of New Mill close to Huddersfield. All of the ground floor is used for childminding and includes the hall, lounge, dining room and kitchen. The bathroom is on the first floor. There is an enclosed area available for outside play. The childminding home is close to public transport links. The family has a pet dog.

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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 range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from local schools. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/ or disabilities. The childminder has an early years qualification.

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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

The childminder has a positive partnership with parents and takes time to develop a good understanding of children's individual needs and promotes inclusive practice successfully. Children learn how to keep themselves safe, be healthy and maintain their personal care in a well-organised, easily accessible environment. Planning provides children with learning opportunities that test their abilities and discover new skills within safe boundaries and as a result, children are making good progress. The childminder has established links with others providing the Early Years Foundation Stage although they are not yet fully explored to ensure the continuity of children learning and development. There is a system to monitor and evaluate the service that identifies targets for the future and training to ensure continued development.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the links with other settings providing for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure continuity of their learning and development  maintain a fire log book with details of any problems encountered and how they were resolved. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are cared for in a secure, clean, well maintained and well supervised environment. Rigorous risk assessments are completed for both the premises and any outings children take part in. Safe and suitable toys and resources that stimulate and challenge are easily accessed. The childminder has good knowledge of how to protect children and is vigilant about signs and symptoms of possible abuse. She has thorough procedures to follow should she have concerns about a child.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a comprehensive range of policies and procedures which are shared with parents to support the care of the children and comply with regulations. She keeps a good standard of records on children in her care. This includes detailed information about children's individual needs. Most records are very clear, up to date and ensure safe management of the provision to promote children's welfare, learning and development. The childminder is sufficiently focused in helping children to make progress in their learning and development. She monitors and evaluates and has attended a wide range of training courses in order to further the development of her service and promote better outcomes for children. The childminder shows a commitment to continuous improvement and has successfully addressed the recommendations from the last inspection.

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the early years provision

The childminder knows children in her care very well and ensures she has important information, including what the children's interests are, likes and dislikes and any care routines. Parents are kept fully informed on how their children are cared for and what they achieve each day as observation records are routinely shared. The childminder has begun to use photographic evidence to share with parents their child's development. Parents are asked to express their views through regular discussion and enter their comments in their child's assessment records. They praise the childminder highly and appreciate the open, trusting and friendly relationship that has been established. Therefore, children's welfare is successfully met ensuring they are safe and secure within the environment.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is well aware of how children learn and develop. She interacts enthusiastically, engaging with children in activities that are appropriate and developmentally challenging. Her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage is sound and the planning ensures each child receives a suitably challenging range of learning experiences. The childminder generally bases her activities on the observations she makes so that they are broadly matched to children's individual needs while allowing children to follow their own interests. For example, children recently invited the childminder to games day at the childminder's, where they organised a variety of events around their selected games. Whilst involved in a selection of craft activities, children discuss what they need in order to make the hands of the clock go round and the best way to fold the paper when cutting out This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

snowflakes. They actively discuss the day's activities and excitedly point out the different birds they see on the bird feeder and compare the snowflakes they have made. As a result, children are making good progress in their learning in relation to their starting points and show a sense of pride in their achievements. The childminder is developing links with others providing the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, in order to share information promote continuity and progression in children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted well by the childminder, reducing possible risks and taking very positive steps to keep the premises and resources clean. High priority is given to ensuring children understand about good personal hygiene and children remind each other about washing their hands after playing with the dog. Parents are fully aware of the procedures should their child be ill. Children are encouraged to help prepare and select snacks and enjoy a variety of their favourite fruits as well as being introduced to new taste experiences. Children are provided with plenty of opportunities for physical play through activities that help them to develop confidence and move their bodies in various ways. Photographs show them enjoying bat and ball games to develop their coordination skills and enjoying water activities during the hot weather.

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and outcomes for children

Good practices help children learn about what is dangerous and how to keep themselves safe. For example, on their walk home from school, they carefully walk closely to the wall side of the pavement at a particular part where the pavement is narrow. They learn about fire safety, as they take part in the fire drills. However, there is no recorded evidence to support this.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes an environment where children are happy and confident. Very close, caring relationships are evident between the children and the childminder and children are relaxed and settled as a result. 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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