Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 319704 Inspection date 06/09/2011 Inspector Ingrid Szczerban

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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 1988. She lives with her partner in the Bramley area of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom are used for children. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play and the back door is used for access.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and she is currently caring for five children, of these, two are in the early years age range. All children are cared for on a part time basis. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. She attends a local toddler group and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 welfare needs of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are predominantly met well. Good attention is given to meeting the learning and development needs of children. Children take part in a wide range of activities and make good progress in all areas of learning. Inclusive practice is promoted well and children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder assesses her provision satisfactorily and identifies areas for improvement. She demonstrates a good capacity to continuously improve. Relationships with parents and carers are good.

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further?

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

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further?

 devise a system for involving parents more fully in the evaluation process  extend the record of accidents to children to include all minor accidents.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well. All adults in the home have undergone appropriate checks. The childminder has a clear understanding of how to report any concerns she may have about children as she has completed training in safeguarding children. She keeps a log of all visitors to her home during childminding hours. Comprehensive written risk assessments are effectively implemented and reviewed by the childminder to ensure that children are kept from harm. All potential hazards on the premises are minimised, for example, safety gates are used at the bottom of the stairs and in the kitchen entrance. The childminder holds a current This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 first aid certificate and keeps all required written consents from parents. The home is clean, warm and well-maintained. Good hygiene practice, such as, cleaning the changing mat each time it is used helps to protect children from the risk of cross

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the early years provision

infections. A clear sickness policy is implemented and parents are requested to collect children if they are ill. A record of accidents is kept but this does not include more minor ones.

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the early years provision

The effective organisation of space and resources meets each child's individual needs and enables them to develop independence, make choices and ensures inclusion. The childminder gives high levels of supervision to children. Children safely choose from a wide selection of toys and games which are stored at child- height, so supporting them to be independent and confident. All resources used by children are of good quality, suitably challenging and appropriate to their ages and stages of development. The childminder has a good knowledge of the children. She follows their home routines to settle them quickly and make transitions from home as seamless as possible. Photographs of the children engaged in activities are displayed so children have a good sense of belonging in the childminder's home.

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the early years provision

The childminder assesses her provision satisfactorily and makes improvements. The recommendations raised at the last inspection are fully addressed, thereby, improving welfare arrangements for children. Further improvements made include, keeping abreast of training in subjects such as food hygiene, risk assessments and the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has recently started a National Vocational Qualification course to become a qualified practitioner at level 3. She uses observations of children to plan activities which they enjoy. Parents make positive comments about some aspects of the service but they are not fully included in the evaluation process.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are very positive. The childminder gathers detailed information from parents prior to admission, enabling her to effectively meet individual children's needs and to help with settling-in. Parents have access to all of the policies and procedures and information is shared at drop-off and collection times. The childminder regularly sends home the children's development files, and so the children's learning is shared well. For example, one child has a keen interest in a toy vacuum cleaner so his parents bought one for him to use at home. The childminder has good links with other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. She sometimes carries on popular themes that children have been doing in nursery or school, in order to complement their learning.

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and outcomes for children

The children make good progress in their learning and development. Accurate observations and assessments are made by the childminder in their development records. These include what children are interested in, what they are learning and their individual next steps for progression. There are good systems in place to ensure that the six learning areas are consistently covered. The childminder gathers detailed information from parents before children begin their placement in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 order to plan activities for their individual interests.

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and outcomes for children

Plans are used flexibly to follow the direction that children may wish to take, thereby, sustaining their interest and promoting children's self-esteem, for example, children's interest in setting up and playing with the train set is extended by the childminder. She organises train trips and provides interesting posters about other forms of transport and construction machinery. Therefore, children learn well about the world around them, increase their vocabulary, develop their physical skills and increase their problem solving abilities.

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and outcomes for children

The children are happy and settled in their relationships with their childminder. They feel safe because she tends to all their care needs and they rest according to their individual needs so they wake refreshed. The childminder builds children's self-esteem and they know their ideas are valued, because, she leaves out favourite activities for them to continue with after a daytime sleep. Children get on well together, older ones like to help the younger ones and all are well behaved. The childminder teaches children about road safety. They learn well about safe places to cross and how to watch for cars.

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and outcomes for children

Children communicate effectively. Conversations are encouraged by the childminder and she prompts children to recall past events, such as, going on a boat trip with their grandad. Books are used well by the childminder to support children's interests. The childminder teaches children comparative language, such as, big and little and when building towers, she uses her hands to emphasise the difference. Children use their imagination in creative play and enjoy a variety of art and craft activities. They act out familiar scenarios in role play, such as, bathing dolls in the sink.

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and outcomes for children

Active healthy lifestyles are promoted well. The childminder gives children nutritious foods such as chopped peppers and fruit for snacks. She also introduces them to more exotic fare like prickly pears. Children benefit from fresh air and exercise each day on outings. They learn to climb, crawl, run and jump competently, using equipment in parks such as crossing bridges made from cargo netting. 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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