Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY425662 Inspection date 19/10/2011 Inspector Paula Fretwell

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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 one child aged 17 months in a house in Woolley Grange, Barnsley. The ground floor and the first floor of the house is available for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden at the rear of the house for outdoor play. The childminder is close to local amenities, including parks, shops and schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than two of whom may be in the early years age range. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are three children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder is not registered to provide overnight care.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are suitably cared for in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Systems to support children's welfare, learning and development are mostly organised to meet their needs. Children make sound progress in all six areas of their learning. Positive relationships are established with parents, with effective systems in place to ensure they are informed about their children's care and education. The childminder assesses and monitors the quality of the provision and highlights areas of strength and plans to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure arrangements for children's drinks promote the good health of children and prevent the spread of infection  ensure experiences are planned and organised effectively so that each child's individual needs are met.

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the early years provision

Safeguarding procedures ensure children are protected from harm. The childminder has up-to-date safeguarding knowledge to enable her to respond appropriately to any safeguarding concerns or allegations. Risk assessments illustrate how hazards are minimised so that children play safely and they understand how to stay safe through simple reminders in their play. For example, the childminder explains that they must not climb indoors in case they hurt themselves and she reminds them the floor is slippery after water play. Records, policies and procedures effectively support the childminder's service and these are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 shared with parents.

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the early years provision

A suitable range of resources, both man-made and natural is available to ensure children make sound progress towards the early learning goals in all areas. Activities are suitable for children's age and stage of development. However, the organisation of some activities does not always ensure children's individual needs are met. For example, messy activities are not always managed effectively for children to benefit from the experience or to take account of the number of young children present. The childminder reflects upon her practice, identifying strengths and areas to improve, for example, she highlights future plans to improve her outdoor area, resources and seek further relevant training.

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the early years provision

Relationships between the childminder and parents positively support children's individual welfare needs; many clear, accessible channels are in place for communication. For example, the childminder chats with parents regularly. She uses information technology to send email to parents and they receive a monthly report on their child's activities and progress. Children's assessments are based upon the childminder's regular observations of what they do. Photographs illustrate the experiences children enjoy and these are linked to the six areas of learning, with next steps identified. The childminder understands the need to liaise with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to maximise opportunities for children's learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. The childminder is very enthusiastic in her work with the children, providing many suitable opportunities for them to explore and discover. Children enjoy sensory experiences with water and 'gloop' and the childminder gives them plenty of time to play uninterrupted. She offers new vocabulary to describe what the children are doing, such as 'splashy' and 'swirly whirly'. However, activities do not always meet the children's needs. For example, the childminder takes children for a walk immediately following a water-play and messy activity, but does not fully consider the impact of the cold weather or the suitability of children's clothing, resulting in them feeling cold and uncomfortable and having to return. Children's language development is promoted effectively through plenty of singing, looking at books and chatter. They enjoy taking turns to select puppets from a song bag and singing the associated

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and outcomes for children

song, joining in with the actions and smiling.

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and outcomes for children

Children make decisions for themselves as they freely choose what they do. For example, they wander from the playroom into the lounge, easily accessing their own resources. Children choose from a wide range of books and the childminder reads with them, helping them to name animals and the sounds they make and including each child fairly. Babies enjoy emptying and filling toy boxes and the childminder ensure they have plenty of opportunities to do this. The childminder follows children's non-verbal cues and helps them to recognise when they feel tired or hungry and she works to their preferred routine. Children enjoy visiting other This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 groups locally and the childminder walks to such places, giving children plenty of opportunity for fresh air,

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and outcomes for children

Many effective procedures are in place to support children's health and well-being. Healthy eating is promoted and the childminder has a good understanding of each child's individual dietary requirements, working closely with parents at all times. Children enjoy a mid-morning snack, such as rice cakes. They help themselves to drinks at any time, which ensures they are not thirsty, although very young children try to share each others cups, which does not prevent the spread of infection. The childminder's policy on illness ensures children do not attend if they are infectious, in order to protect the health of others.

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and outcomes for children

Positive strategies are used to manage children's behaviour and the childminder is aware of the children's individual understanding, personality and development. The childminder fully praises positive behaviour and sensitively supports children in building relationships with each other, reminding them to take turns and share. Simple house rules enable older children to understand acceptable behaviour. The childminder is very patient in her approach, calmly managing the needs and competing demands of very young children. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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

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Stage

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

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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