Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY418293 Inspection date 19/07/2011 Inspector Diane Turner

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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 December 2010. She lives with her husband and three children aged eight, three and two years in a terraced house on the outskirts of Leeds. All of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding purposes. Toilet facilities are situated on this level and there is an enclosed garden to the front of the premises for outdoor play. The family have a dog as a pet.

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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 to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, one of whom may be within the early years age group. She is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. There is currently one child on roll who is within the early years age group and attends on a full-time basis.

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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 settle well in this welcoming and child-orientated setting. Their safety and welfare are promoted very effectively and they enjoy a good range of activities which cover all areas of learning successfully. Systems are in place to monitor children's progress in their learning and development; however, some aspects are not fully developed. Good partnerships with parents are promoted and this ensures information regarding children's individual needs is communicated fully. An effective system is in place to monitor and evaluate the quality of the service and this is beginning to be used to evidence continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the learning opportunities for children in the outdoor area  develop further the system for monitoring children's progress in their learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder is confident in her ability to safeguard children. She has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and is vigilant in maintaining a safe environment for children to play and learn. This is achieved by undertaking thorough risk assessments to identify and minimise any potential hazards, which are backed up by daily checks prior to the children arriving. Fire drills are undertaken every two months with the children and the evacuation plan is displayed for parents' and visitors' information. A good range of policies and procedures are in place and these, alongside the well-maintained documentation, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensure the efficient management of the setting. The childminder organises her home very effectively, providing an environment that is very conducive to learning. For example, the playroom offers children a good range of toys and resources

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the early years provision

which are presented at their height and has colourful displays of posters and the children's artwork.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear vision of what it is she wants to achieve for her setting, stating, for example, how she wants each child in her care to be happy, to feel at home and to make good progress. The childminder has effective systems in place for self-evaluation, which clearly identify her strengths and areas for development. Since registration she has made steady improvements to her service. For example, purchasing additional resources to meet the interests of the children attending and accessing training to improve her knowledge. She regularly meets up with other childminders at the groups she attends and is keen to share her skills with them. For example, giving a demonstration on the use of sign language, which she is competent in, at a recent study day. Plans are in place to develop the service further but have not been implemented due to the short time the childminder has been registered.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality and diversity very successfully. She gathers a good amount of information about each child's individual needs before the placement begins and how these can be met, and she clearly identifies the starting points in their learning. She has previous experience of supporting children with special educational needs, and resources that portray positive images of diversity are readily available for the children to explore, promoting their understanding of the beliefs and cultures of others. The childminder is fully aware of working in partnerships with providers of other settings the children may also attend to promote a shared approach to their care and learning. However, the children currently attending are only cared for by the childminder. The childminder gives good attention to engaging with parents. Information they receive is very detailed and includes copies of all the policies and procedures, leaving them in doubt as to

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the early years provision

how the service operates. Daily chats and the sharing of the children's progress records are used very successfully to keep parents continually updated about their children's day and their development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of how to promote the different areas of learning. She demonstrates a very patient approach and her enthusiastic manner encourages the children to take part in the activities. As a result, they become competent and active learners. For example, the childminder constantly engages the children in conversation as they play, discussing colours, names of animals and the sounds they make as they explore jigsaws and small world resources, and introducing new words to extend their vocabulary. Books play a very important part in the setting and the children are encouraged to develop a love of reading and stories from an early age. They thoroughly enjoy cuddling into the childminder as they share books, becoming fully immersed in the contents and turning the pages carefully to reveal what comes next. Regular visits to the library This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

to choose additional books further enhances their development in communication, language and literacy.

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and outcomes for children

From an early age the children explore a variety of mediums, such as, paint, glue and collage materials. For example, they make prints with their hands and decorate eggs at Easter, all of which successfully encourages their creativity. Children have good opportunities to enjoy fresh air and physical exercise and to learn about healthy eating. For example, they have access to play equipment, such as, a playhouse, wheeled toys and a swing in the garden, and these activities are complemented by visits to the local park and a soft play provision and walks in the local area. The children enjoy food tasting activities when they explore the taste and texture of a range of fruit and vegetables and they often have a picnic lunch outdoors, all of which enables them to develop a good understanding of what contributes to a healthy lifestyle. However, the childminder has not considered fully how other areas of learning can be promoted with the children outdoors to

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has systems in place to monitor the children's progress in their learning and development. For example, she makes written observations and takes photographs of their responses to the activities. However, she does not use the information fully to evidence how all areas of learning are being covered. The children clearly feel secure in their environment and this is evident as they move confidently around the home, independently choose toys that interest them and settle quickly for their nap. The childminder explains from an early age why they need to tidy away the toys to prevent trips and falls and why they need to be strapped into their high chair at meal times, which actively encourages their understanding of following safe and responsible practices. 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 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 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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