Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY425651 Inspection date 06/10/2011 Inspector Jane O'Callaghan

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and child aged three years old on the outskirts of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor, downstairs toilet 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 five children under eight years at any one time. The childminder currently has three children on roll and of these, two are in the early years age range and one child is in the compulsory Childcare Register group. The childminder collects and takes children to local schools, visits parks and places of interest.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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

Children are happy and self-assured within the setting and participate in a good range of exciting and interesting activities. The childminder creates a welcoming, safe, inclusive environment for all and children make good progress across the areas of learning. Established information sharing systems are in place with other early years providers where necessary and also with parents in some areas. Systems to self-evaluate the provision are ongoing and the childminder is using the Ofsted form as the basis for this.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide further opportunities for parents to contribute to children's individual learning and development records.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of safeguarding children, such as recognising possible signs and symptoms of abuse and an awareness of procedures to follow. Parents are informed of the childminder's safeguarding responsibilities. She has a written policy to support this and relevant information and contact numbers should she have any concerns. 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 and equipment. This, combined with appropriate supervision, minimises any potential risks to children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder works closely in partnership with parents to ensure the care given to children is consistent and appropriate. Parents receive all policies and

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the early years provision

procedures and she encourages them to have settling-in periods prior to the children starting with her. The parents have completed questionnaires, praising the childminder about the care their children receive. The childminder ensures that parents receive feedback, through a daily log book available for them. However, parents are not encouraged to contribute to children's individual learning and development records. She continues to complete the Ofsted self-evaluation form, where she recognises her strengths and weaknesses and uses this as a working document.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very positive about the inclusion of all children and works to ensure that children of all ages and ability are provided with a good selection of age appropriate activities and resources. Children are encouraged to celebrate festivals and have access to a good range of suitable resources and posters that reflect equality and diversity. The childminder has a well-written equal opportunities policy that she shares with parents, which includes how all children are treated equally.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder displays close and responsive relationships with the children in her care and a clear understanding of the importance of recognising each child as an individual. Children freely access a good range of toys. They also know to ask for other resources through talking to the childminder and pointing to where they are kept. Children's profiles of their individual learning and development are in place for each child and starting points are recorded. The childminder uses these to collate information gathered through observations of children and tracking of their next steps. The childminder ensures that planning is flexible and tailored to children's individual needs, interests and the use of themes. For example, at present, the theme is autumn and children will collect leaves and conkers to relate to this.

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and outcomes for children

Children play with the treasure boxes, scrunch up the foil and get out the sponges, squeezing and sharing them with their friends and visitors, with clear explanations from the childminder about how shiny and noisy the foil is. The children are keen to bang on the large square drum and listen to the different noises it makes. They are then encouraged by the childminder to tap together the shells and pebbles and compare the sounds that they make, as she tells them how soft the pebbles are compared to the rough shells. Children have good opportunities to develop their literacy skills through accessing a wide selection of books, including some picture ones and also story books. The younger children take the picture book and sit down to look at it, turning the pages confidently. Their imagination is developing well, as they get the dolls and give them cuddles and pretend to feed them with the toy bottles of milk.

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and outcomes for children

Children receive daily opportunities to develop their physical skills both indoors and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outside in the garden and local community. For example, children visit local woods, parks and places of interest. When playing, on a regular basis, in the garden, they learn to ride on the bicycles, play ball games and sit on trucks. The childminder takes pleasure in ensuring that children take part in a variety of creative work. Children enjoy painting, baking, printing and sticking, which she displays around the home for parents to see, as well as take home with them.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder ensures children are in a healthy and hygienic environment. Children have their own individual towels to use after washing their hands before meals and after nappy changes. The childminder provides healthy and nutritious home-cooked meals and snacks. She displays a menu to ensure parents are made aware of what children have had to eat whilst at the setting. The childminder adheres to all children's allergies and dietary requirements and records these in children's individual personal information. She ensures that children receive drinks of water throughout the day, in their own drinking cups, that they can freely access.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in a safe setting, the childminder makes sure that all smoke alarms are regularly tested, fire drills practised with all children and safety gates placed appropriately. Children also learn about how to stay safe through being taught about road safety and not talking to strangers. The childminder has a good behaviour policy and procedure, which includes being kind to each other, sharing and being polite. The childminder give lots of praise to the children when displaying good behaviour and is a good role model. Children play well together in a homely and fun environment. 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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