Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY420815 Inspection date 12/09/2011 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 2011. She lives with her husband and adult daughter on the outskirts of Horbury. The whole of the ground floor, an upstairs bathroom, and the 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 four children on roll and of these, three are in the early years age range and one child in the later years age group. The childminder collects and takes children to local schools, visits parks and places of interest. She holds a level 3 qualification in childcare.

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

Children are settled and comfortable with the childminder. They are offered a variety of resources which promotes their learning enabling them to make satisfactory progress. The childminder gets to know children well, in order to meet their individual needs effectively and promote diversity. Overall there are sound relationships with parents which helps to support the children being cared for. The childminder has a good awareness of safeguarding procedures and children's welfare and safety are well promoted. The childminder is aware of the need to evaluate her practice and to complete observations and assessments of children. However, these systems are in their infancy and are not yet fully established.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 assess what children can do in order to identify the starting point for their learning, and observe and assess their progress in order to plan for their next steps  monitor and evaluate the quality of the provision to identify areas for further improvement  invite parents to contribute to the observation, assessment and planning process to further enhance their involvement in their child's learning.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the types and signs of child abuse and she knows the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child. Consequently, she would be able to quickly identify a child at risk of harm and be able to obtain appropriate support for them. A safeguarding policy that outlines her responsibility in this area is shared with all parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Effective vetting procedures are in place to ensure that adults in the household are suitable to be in contact with the children. Visitors to the home have their identification checked and a record of visitors is maintained. The childminder has installed safety equipment to help protect children. For example, she has safety gates, smoke alarms and fire blanket. She completes risk assessments on the home, garden and outings to help her monitor all environments for the children.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder is building effective partnerships with parents to ensure a smooth transition and a consistent approach for the children. She keeps them informed on a daily basis, through discussion about the children's routines and the activities they have enjoyed. Systems are being implemented to share further information in written diaries. The childminder is aware of the benefits to children of working in partnership with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage and has systems in place to support this.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has started some basic self-evaluation and is beginning to reflect on her practice to ensure she meets the needs of the children. She has started to gather the thoughts and views of parents by asking them to complete a questionnaire. However, the system is in its infancy and is not fully effective to enable the childminder to effectively identify priorities for future development.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder promotes an inclusive service for all children and their families. She adapts activities to ensure that they can all join in whatever their age or stage of development. Children are becoming familiar with differences as they play with a range of toys that positively promote diversity, celebrate a range of cultural festivals and learn from the positive attitude of the childminder.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure to approach the childminder and enjoy a close relationship with her. They have a sense of belonging and play happily because they make their own choices from the suitable range of resources available to them. The childminder listens to the children and values the decisions they make. For example, children asked to draw a pig and cat and, with help from the childminder, talked about the wiggly tail of the pig and the cat's whiskers. The childminder provides sound levels of support and guidance for the children in her care. She is developing her systems of observation and assessment and is beginning to record what she sees the children can do and linking this to the areas of learning. However, she is not identifying children's starting points or planning for their next steps to enable her to fully promote their learning. She does not share her observation files with parents to enable them to contribute and support

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a suitable range of activities for the children, which offer them challenges in all areas of learning. She ensures activities are appropriate for the ages of the children attending, and she adapts her interactions to ensure that all children are included and able to take part at their own level. More-able children get excited as they watch the mechanical dinosaur move around the floor. Children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 have opportunities to look at the good selection of books; they sit with their friends and read stories to them. Children independently learn to put on their coats and shoes before going out in the garden. They play with the sand, building castles with the bucket and helping each other. Children have opportunities to develop their creative activities by playing with dough and using cutters to make shapes. They have fun at the different groups they attend where they paint and

p.5

and outcomes for children

dance along to music and learn to balance and climb up the slide.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children receive healthy choices of food for their meals and snacks. The childminder provides all snacks and home-cooked meals for the children, which include spaghetti bolognaise, casseroles, yoghurts and lots of fruit. Children have regular access to drinks of water throughout the day. Consistent daily routines ensure children learn about good personal hygiene. They wash their hands before meals and after nappy changes and are provided with individual towels. They are able to go out each day in the fresh air. The children enjoy themselves going on daily walks to parks and child-orientated groups. Children also enjoy their time playing with a range of resources available in the childminder's garden. Children are kept safe in the setting as the childminder maintains suitable safety precautions. The childminder uses everyday routines to further promote children's understanding. They learn about keeping themselves safe, as the childminder

p.6

and outcomes for children

reinforces important safety measures, such as crossing the road safely and stranger-danger.. All children are positively supported by the childminder, which encourages and raises their self-esteem and promotes appropriate behaviour. She follows her behaviour management policy by encouraging the children to use good manners, share and take turns as they play. 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 3 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

p.7

Stage

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

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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