Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 512144 Inspection date 06/09/2011 Inspector Susan Heap

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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 August 2001. She lives with her husband and 11 year old son in the Linthwaite area of Huddersfield, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. The garden is used for outdoor play. There are steps to the front of the house and access is also available via the drive.

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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 whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding seven children in this age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and regularly attends toddler and childminding groups. She has a level 3 qualification in early years and childcare.

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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 very good knowledge of the children she is caring for. This enables her to provide a wide range of fun and interesting activities which ensure that each child makes good progress in all areas of learning. Not all documentation linked to children's learning is consistently maintained. Children are safe and secure at all times because effective measures are in place. The childminder is an enthusiastic childcare professional. She has a realistic view of her key strengths and areas for improvement. Most aspects of partnerships with parents and others involved in the lives of the children are effective and ensure that everyone works together to support children consistently.

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further?

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

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further?

 implement a system to monitor children's progress towards the early learning goals to ensure that any gaps in their learning are identified  develop ways of encouraging parents to share their observations of their children's activities and interests to help inform future planning for their individual needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a thorough understanding of safeguarding issues by keeping her knowledge and understanding up to date through attending training. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 She has all the relevant contact numbers and procedures in place should she have any concerns about a child in her care. All adults in the home have completed the required vetting procedures. Risk assessments of the home and outings are completed and all safety features are fully in place.

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the early years provision

Through self-evaluation and by being a reflective practitioner, she accurately identifies her strengths and successfully identifies the areas for development which will have the most significant impact on the outcomes for children. For example, she has booked to attend an observation and assessment course to enable her to improve her recording in children's learning journeys. The recommendation made at the last inspection has been successfully completed and has improved children's safety and the way documentation is correctly maintained. She has attended various short courses and gained a level 3 qualification in childcare and education since her last inspection to improve her knowledge and skills. Toys, equipment and resources are of good quality, fit for purpose and suitable for the ages of children attending. She provides a warm and homely environment where all children and families feel welcome. Space, time and resources are well organised to provide a

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the early years provision

child-centred environment, such as child-sized tables and chairs and low-level storage baskets.

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the early years provision

Parents are provided with a range of information about the childminder's care, policies and procedures. This helps to form good working relationships and a shared understanding from an early stage. Information is gathered during the settling-in process to ensure that all aspects of children's care and daily routines are fully known and understood. As a result, all children are valued as individuals and inclusion is reflected in daily practice. However, ways of involving parents in children's learning or seeking their views to drive further improvement are not fully established. The childminder fully understands the importance of working closely with other settings and professionals when the need arises to ensure each child reaches their full potential. For example, times of transition are sensitively handled as children move onto other settings, such as school or pre-school.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from being cared for in a home which is clean, warm and well maintained. Personal care and hygiene routines are routinely followed, such as wiping noses and regular hand washing; these minimise the risk of cross-infection and promote children's self-help skills. Children enjoy nutritious meals and snacks, which are home-made using fresh ingredients and take account of likes, dislikes and individual dietary needs. Healthy eating is actively promoted because the childminder is affiliated to the local healthy eating initiative. This means that children receive consistent messages about the benefits of healthy eating at any of the local groups they attend.

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and outcomes for children

All children benefit greatly from daily opportunities for fresh air and physical activity to develop control and coordination of their bodies, either in the garden, visiting local groups or taking part in music and movement activities. A recent success has been taking part in the 'Babes in the Wood' activity which is part of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the Forest School Initiative. Here children have been involved in building dens and learning to take risks in a safe environment. The practise of regular fire drills ensures that children learn what to do in an emergency situation. Children move around safely and confidently at all times and show a good understanding of the safety measures in place to protect them. They learn to handle tools safely, such as knives as they cut fruit for their morning snack.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, and is extremely knowledgeable about the children in her care and talks confidently about their individual interests and personalities. Daily routines include a balance of adult-initiated and child-led activities. Each child has an individual learning journey containing observations, assessments and photographs of them engaged in a wide range of fun and interesting activities. However, these are not consistently maintained. This means that systems to monitor children's overall progress to ensure any gaps in their learning are identified are not fully in place. The childminder asks lots of open-ended questions to encourage children to become independent thinkers and to improve their communication and language skills. They enjoy looking at books, listening to stories, dressing up and role play. Children's differences are recognised and valued. For example, they talk about

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and outcomes for children

festivals and food from other countries. They have good opportunities to make a positive contribution and learn how to care for the environment; they take part in planned activities, such as clearing invasive weeds during conservation week.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is very creative and uses everyday activities to develop children's language and number skills, which also help them learn about the food cycle. For example, they help wash the apples and damsons they have collected in the garden. They talk about the damson jam the childminder made the night before and choose which apple they would like for their morning snack. Children share warm relationships with the childminder, her family and each other. They beam with delight on arrival and greet each other with warm hugs and kisses. They behave well because they receive clear, consistent messages due to the childminder modelling positive behaviour. She speaks in a calm, clear voice to the children and always gives explanations. As a result, they learn to respect one another and learn the importance of sharing, taking turns and playing cooperatively together. The use of lots of verbal praise and stickers help children

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and outcomes for children

develop their confidence and self-esteem. 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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