Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY345847 Inspection date 20/10/2011 Inspector Angie Ellis

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and three children in the Linthwaite area of Huddersfield. This is within walking distance of local amenities. The whole of the first floor is used for childminding. There is one step to access the entrance of the premises. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, both of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five to 10 years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She 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

A friendly, welcoming environment with a wide range of stimulating activities is provided to all children, therefore promoting inclusive practice. This enables all children to make good progress in all aspects of their learning and development. The childminder has an effective knowledge of each child's needs and ensures that she promotes all children's welfare and learning. The childminder has developed successful relationships with the parents and there are generally good systems in place to exchange information with others involved in children's learning and care. Overall, there is an effective system of self-evaluation in place to reflect on and evaluate the practice, which contributes to maintaining continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve how the information shared with parents and other settings that children attend is used to promote continuity and support individual children's learning and progression  develop further the culture of reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder clearly understands her role in child protection and is fully aware of the procedures to follow should a concern arise. All of the records required for safeguarding and promoting children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 welfare are maintained. Risk assessments clearly identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis, and these include each type of outing. The home is safe and conducive to learning, and children clearly thrive as a result. There are currently occasions when the childminder is caring for more children than her conditions of registration allow. She gave a reasonable explanation for doing so and on this occasion Ofsted does not intend to take further action.

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the early years provision

The effectiveness with which the childminder deploys resources is very good because she uses space well within her home. She has recently had an extension built to provide a playroom and toilet facilities on the first floor. This means children have a lot more space and more resources are available for them to select and make independent choices. Wall displays of children's artwork and educational posters provide a welcoming environment for children to play in. Furniture, equipment and resources are of a very good quality and appropriate for the ages of children. The childminder is very enthusiastic, motivated and committed to continued professional development through training. She meets with other childminders, reads relevant publications and has links with the local children's centre to keep up to date with current practice. The childminder has steps in place to ensure resources and the environment are sustainable. For example, children

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the early years provision

water the herbs to help them grow and use recycled packaging to make models.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively evaluates her priorities for improvement are through personal reflection and from parental feedback, although she has not sufficiently evaluated the impact that some improvements made have on the outcomes for children. The recommendations from the previous inspection have been successfully implemented. The childminder expresses effective ambition, vision and drive to develop the service further. For example, she is currently studying for a level 3 qualification.

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the early years provision

Successful relationships have been developed with parents and children, which contributes to inclusion, meeting children's needs consistently and providing continuity of care. The childminder meets the individual needs of children well, irrespective of background or ability. Communication between the childminder and the parents is very good. Their views are frequently sought and their feedback is valued. When children start, the childminder obtains information from parents and observes the children to find out what they know, can do and enjoy. This identifies children's starting points and forms the basis for ongoing assessment. However, the childminder does not clearly demonstrate how she uses the information from parents and from professionals within other settings that children attend to identify learning priorities within the planning. Feedback in questionnaires from parents highly praises the childminder for the quality of service that their children receive.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the importance of making links with other care providers that children may attend and has some effective systems in place, for example, by being involved in the child's transition from leaving nursery to starting school. This includes sharing information between the parents and the other setting. She also takes time to read stories to the children and has discussions about starting school to help prepare them for the change. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the learning, development and welfare requirements, which contributes to her effectively promoting children's welfare and learning. Good relationships have been established and children make good progress in their learning in relation to their capabilities and starting points. The children's assessment profiles are well presented and provide parents with a personalised record of their child's progress. These include observations that are matched to the areas of learning, photographs of children involved in activities and things that they have made. The childminder has a system for tracking children's progress across all the areas of learning to identify learning priorities.

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and outcomes for children

A very child-centred environment is provided. The childminder makes good use of resources within the local community to extend children's experiences. For example, children regularly attend events and activities at the toddler group and the local children's centre. The children are confident and are given time and space to enjoy and achieve well by being able to play independently, as well as take part in adult-initiated activities. They are supported well by the childminder at appropriate times, demonstrating that she understands when and when not to intervene. Young children make their own choices of what they want to play with and show an interest in the book about animals, recognising and naming them and making the appropriate sounds. The childminder asked open-ended questions to prompt thinking and talking. Very young children are showing their growing confidence and independence by crawling towards activities of interest, such as

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and outcomes for children

the sensory toys that make sounds and rattle. They pull themselves up to standing and take a few steps holding on to the furniture. They smile and vocalise happily in their achievements. Children enjoy singing their favourite action songs and rhymes, and they learn to name shapes and colours through games and counting in daily routines.

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and outcomes for children

Warm and trusting relationships have been developed between the childminder and the children, which demonstrate that they feel safe. Children's health and growing independence are supported extremely well. Effective procedures and routines are in place to manage hygiene, illness and cross-infection. Children learn about the benefits of healthy eating and the childminder uses fresh ingredients to prepare meals. Children have good opportunities to engage in a wide range of physical activities, both indoors and out, and gain a secure understanding about the importance of regular exercise and fresh air as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Children learn to care about and respect each other through learning to share, take turns and use good manners. The childminder successfully provides a wide range of activities that captures children's interests and therefore, they behave well. The childminder actively promotes equality and diversity and uses a

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and outcomes for children

good range of resources that represent diversity to help children understand about the society they live in. Many activities are planned to enable children to become aware of festivals celebrated by different cultures, such as Chinese New Year and Rangolis. 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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