Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 319878 Inspection date 30/08/2011 Inspector Jane O'Callaghan

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1992. She lives with her husband and adult son on the outskirts of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor and rear garden are used for childminding purposes. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. The childminder currently has eight children on roll and, of these, three are in the early years age range and two children are in the compulsory childcare group.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder collects and takes children to local schools, visits parks and places of interest.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children and their families well and supports their individual needs effectively. She promotes their safety and welfare in a consistent manner and children are secure in their relationships with her. The childminder develops good partnerships with the parents and works collaboratively with other settings the children may also attend to ensure continuity in their learning. The childminder shows she is committed to continuous improvement and has effective systems in place to assist her in evaluating her service.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 ensure that children's starting points are recorded in children's profiles  provide opportunities for parents and carers to contribute to children's individual learning and development records.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities in relation to child protection, confidently talking about the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and the procedure to follow in the event of a concern. The childminder has relevant information and contact numbers to hand and ensures that parents are fully aware of her responsibilities. Effective systems are in place to ensure that all children are safeguarded and children's individual needs met, along with a written policy. The childminder has well-written risk assessments for all areas of the home, including the garden and all outings that children go on. She does daily safety checks to ensure the suitability of indoor spaces, furniture, toys, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and equipment. This, combined with appropriate supervision, minimizes any potential risks to children.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder is committed to developing her service and monitors her practice through the Ofsted self-evaluation form. The childminder uses this information effectively to identify strengths and areas for development. She has addressed the recommendation from her last inspection of obtaining written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice for their children. The childminder has a comprehensive range of policies and procedures which are in place and effectively implemented to promote the welfare of children.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder works in partnership with the parents and friendly relationships are established, with the sharing of information encouraged. There is plenty of verbal communication when children come and leave the setting. The childminder ensures that parents are aware of their children's profiles, which contain photographs of activities they are involved in and also any artwork they have done. However, parents are not given regular opportunities to contribute to these. She has received lots of letters from parents explaining how happy they are with the care and learning their children receive. The childminder has built good links with other settings that children attend who provide the Early Years Foundation Stage and shares their profiles with them wherever possible.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality and diversity by enabling all children to participate in activities and differentiate their experiences. The children can access a good selection of resources to reflect all areas of diversity, for example, books, small world, dolls and the celebrating of different festivals from around the world, where children get opportunities to taste different foods. This ensures children's knowledge and understanding of diversity continues to develop.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are relaxed and settled in the childminder's care. They are curious and interested to engage with the play materials. Each child has their own profile. All observations are clearly linked to the areas of learning and the stage of each child's development. The childminder clearly recognises children's next steps of learning. However, their starting points are not clearly recorded in their profiles. Children enjoy playing with the good range of toys and activities on offer to them, which are age appropriate and are accessible through looking at a catalogue or asking the childminder for the activity they require. For example, at the visit children ask if they could draw and cut out, and with help from the childminder they access these and eagerly cut out shapes and colour in activity sheets.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children's imagination is developing well as they play under the home-made tent and pretend to feed their babies and call their mummies on the toy telephones. More able children are keen to help the younger children as they build with the small construction and also complete the jigsaw. Once the jigsaw is completed the childminder expresses how pleased she is and children excitedly explain that the jigsaw is longer than them and start to name the sea creatures. Children have a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 good selection of books to access and politely ask the childminder to read the one about the 'different fishes', and they take turns in counting how many fish there are on each page. The childminder ensures that children get lots of opportunities to develop their physical skills. They can freely access a well-resourced outdoor area. They get excited as they put together the new outdoor hop-scotch game

p.5

and outcomes for children

and, together, recognise the different numbers. Children also go on regular outings within the local community where they play with their friends at drop-in groups and also further afield. They are eager to tell how they recently went to the seaside and paddled in the sea whilst it was raining. Children also learn about the world around them as they plant seeds and watch them grow and also arrange flowers in the pots around the garden.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder ensures that children learn about safety through having a safe environment, where sockets are protected, fire blanket is sited and they regularly practise fire drills. She also talks to them when on trips to school about road safety and explains to them to look and listen and not to speak to strangers. Children are cared for in a healthy and hygienic environment. They are encouraged to wash their hands when coming in from outdoor play and before having snacks and meals. The childminder offers a healthy and nutritious diet for all children, taking into account any dietary needs. All food is home cooked and meal and snack times are a very sociable time. Children also receive snacks of fruit, breadsticks, humous, and drinks of fresh and diluted juice throughout the day. Children are well behaved and thrive on the positive praise they receive from the childminder. She encourages them to share and take turns and gives good explanations to all

p.6

and outcomes for children

children. She has a written behaviour policy to show parents and ensures that she is a good role model to all children through being polite and encouraging the younger children to say please and thank you. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8