Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 321746 Inspection date 05/09/2011 Inspector Linda Filewood

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 1997. She lives with her husband and family in Ossett, West Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor and bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She occasionally works with an assistant. The childminder is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. 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 satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder meets each child's individual needs well by exchanging relevant information with parents, and the established relationship with the local school and nursery ensures that children receive continuity in their learning. Children play in a safe and secure environment which supports their confidence and independence. However, the childminder fails to comply with several general and specific legal requirements under the Early Years Foundation Stage. She interacts well with the children and supports each child in making good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has limited systems in place to reflect on her provision, but is sufficiently aware of areas for development and undertakes a good variety of training to improve the outcomes for children in her care.

p.4

further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.4

further?

 improve the written parental permission for the seeking of emergency treatment to also include the seeking of any emergency medical advice (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 19/09/2011

p.4

further?

 improve the record of risk assessment so that it includes information on when it was carried out, who conducted it, the date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 19/09/2011

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 continue to review and update policies and procedures so that they reflect This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 updated information and current legislation  obtain written parental permission for children to take part in outings  continue to develop the use of the regular short observations to identify the developmental needs of children to promote their continued learning throughout the six areas of learning  continue to develop self-evaluation in order to identify key strengths and areas for improvement.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding procedures and understands her duty to protect the children in her care. All adults living in the childminder's home have undergone the required suitability checks. The childminder ensures that her assistants understand the procedures she uses to maintain children's safety and well-being. She correctly maintains required documentation, such as accident and medication records, and most written parental permissions are in place. However, the childminder does not obtain permission to take children on outings, for example to the park or shops. Additionally, there is no permission in place for the childminder to seek any necessary emergency medical advice in the future. This is a requirement under regulation. The childminder organises the space she uses for childminding so that children play in a safe indoor and outdoor environment. She uses written risk

p.5

the early years provision

assessments and daily safety checks to help her identify any potential hazards. However, the documentation does not meet regulation as it does not show all the required elements. Children have plenty of age-appropriate toys and equipment to play with and the childminder uses the resources well to promote their learning through play. She provides a good range of activities that promote a positive view of the world. This increases children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others.

p.5

the early years provision

There is a close partnership with parents, which contributes significantly to providing children with consistency in their care. The childminder shares all her policies with them so that they are confident that their children are safe and secure with her. She spends time talking to parents each day and gathers plenty of information from them before a child starts. This enables her to find out about children's interests and starting points, which she records. The childminder is then able to plan and provide appropriate activities and resources to support each child. She has a well-established working partnership in place with the local schools and nurseries. They work effectively together to benefit the child's ongoing development and well-being. Parents comment positively on the good interaction between the childminder and their children.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder assesses her service satisfactorily in order to promote improvement by involving parents and children through discussion. She listens to children and includes their interests in activities in order to enhance their enjoyment. The childminder adequately reflects on the range of activities she provides in order to identify ways of offering children further support in their development. Through discussion, the childminder shows a sufficient This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding of her strengths and weaknesses. She identifies steps to improve her practice, for example, by updating the parental permission forms to meet requirements. The childminder undertakes further training to improve the outcomes for children. She has partially completed the recommendations made at the previous inspection, but some of her written policies still contain out of date

p.5

the early years provision

contact details and information that does not reflect the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.6

and outcomes for children

All children received a warm welcome in the childminder's home and there are good relationships in place with the childminder and her family. This helps children feel secure and they settle quickly into their chosen activity. Children confidently move between rooms to take part in different activities. For example, older children make a birthday card for a friend at the kitchen table while younger ones use their increasing mobility to explore the floor toys. Children are familiar with the house rules in place and help to tidy away small craft items that have dropped onto the floor. They respond positively to the childminder, are developing good manners and are learning to play well alongside each other. The childminder takes them on a good variety of outings around the local area. As a result, they are developing good social skills for the future and are learning how to behave in different situations, such as in a cafe or on public transport. Although the

p.6

and outcomes for children

childminder flexibly plans activities, the setting is very child-led and children express their choice of play. Children are encouraged to explore the resources on offer, with the childminder and her assistant nearby to join in when needed. The childminder ensures that children experience a broad and balanced variety of activities. Additionally, children use a computer to extend their range of skills and enjoyment. The childminder and her assistant talk with children throughout play, promoting their understanding of words. Children explain what they are doing clearly, for example, when they are pretending to be a nurse. Younger children babble confidently to the childminder, who responds well.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes children's good health as they have many opportunities to be active in the fresh air. She supplements daily walks to school with visits to the park and garden games in a well-enclosed garden. Older children thoroughly enjoy relating how they caught 24 frogs of different sizes in the garden during the summer. Children are cared for in a clean home. They learn about good personal hygiene routines, especially when washing and drying their hands. The childminder provides them with freshly prepared, healthy meals and snacks. Children know that they can ask for a drink whenever they are thirsty and they drink regularly. Older children show good understanding about keeping themselves safe when crossing roads. Younger children travel safely in a pushchair or wear reins. In the home, the children practice evacuation procedures with the childminder and they understand what to do in the event of an emergency.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder has established individual records of children's achievements and progress. These contain some evaluative observations of children engaged in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 activities. They show links to the different areas of learning and how children are developing over time. However, there is no system to ensure that the written short observations cover all the six areas of learning on a regular basis. The childminder carries out extra observations if she identifies any area of concern to ensure that the activities she provides are effective in promoting children's continued progress. She refers to the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance book to support her in assessing children's progress and identifying children's next steps in their learning and development. 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.8

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.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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 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

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.8

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.8

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.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9