Childminder in Calderdale

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY410293 Inspection date 19/10/2011 Inspector Vickie Halliwell

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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 2009, she lives with her parents and child aged two years, in the Lower Valley area of Halifax. The premises are within easy reach of public transport, shops, parks, schools and community resources. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area to the rear of the property. There are contingency plans in place to call on another registered childminder in the event of an emergency or sickness. The home is accessible and toilet facilities are located on the first floor.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years. There are currently, two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers care to children over five years. The childminder has achieved a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Care, Learning and Development. She is supported by the local authority and is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family have pet rabbits.

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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's individual needs are met by a caring and dedicated childminder who effectively promotes all aspects of children's care, learning and development. Consequently, children's safety and protection is assured and they enjoy warm and trusting relationships with the childminder. Children are well supported as they play and make good progress towards the early learning goals. Partnerships with parents are strong, which contribute to children's well-being and help promote consistency in children's care and learning. The childminder's capacity to maintain continuous improvement is good and clear systems are in place to evaluate the effectiveness of the provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop records of children's learning and development so that they more accurately reflect children's progress towards the learning goals given their starting points  implement a rigorous self-evaluation process, for example, by using the Ofsted self-evaluation form and quality improvement processes as the basis for ongoing review, assessing what the setting offers against robust and challenging criteria This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded, because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures. She has recently completed training and is aware of possible indicators of abuse. A detailed written procedure is in place and the childminder is able to implement appropriate procedures to protect children from possible harm. Parents are well informed about the childminder's safeguarding procedures and all adults living on the premises have undergone checks to ensure their suitability, which further, safeguards children. Attention to children's safety is given a high priority. Rigorous, well documented, risk assessments are completed and appropriate action is taken to minimise hazards. Consequently, children move freely and play safely within the childminder's home. Effective systems are in place to ensure children's safety on outings. The childminder uses space and resources effectively to meet children's

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the early years provision

needs and children benefit from a welcoming and stimulating child-centred environment.

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the early years provision

The childminder has recently commenced minding and this is her first inspection since registration. She is enthusiastic about her provision and is very committed to her continued professional development. The childminder continually reflects on her practice and reviews everyday experiences to ensure children benefit from a broad range of activities, outings and experiences, which fully support their learning and development. The childminder has identified higher level qualifications she would like to complete, which will ultimately impact on the quality of the provision and improve outcomes for children. However, whilst the childminder is able to give an accurate appraisal of her setting, this process has not been formalised. Attention to written documentation is very good and all records required to meet the needs of the children are maintained. The childminder provides an inclusive service. All children are warmly welcomed into

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the early years provision

her home and are naturally learning to respect and value differences. The childminder is a positive role model who helps children develop a caring and positive attitude towards others. Children have continuous access to books and resources that reflect positive images of culture, race, gender and disability.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are strong and contribute to children's overall wellbeing within the setting. Parents are provided with good quality information about the setting. They are encouraged to share details of their child's care needs and routines prior to admission and also provide some key details in relation to children's learning and development, although, the latter are not always documented. Parents are exceptionally well informed about their child's time with the childminder. They receive a daily dairy, which includes, details of children's activities, learning and development. In addition, the childminder produces a fabulous visual record for parents to enjoy, taking several photographs each day which show their child happy and absorbed in an amazing range of activities. The childminder actively encourages parents to support their child's learning at home, discussing each observation and the planned next steps. The childminder works in

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the early years provision

partnership with other early years provisions, exchanging information to promote children's continuity of care and learning. The childminder also understands the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 importance of working with other agencies to ensure children's individual needs are met.

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and outcomes for children

Children thrive in a safe, secure and stimulating environment. All aspects of their welfare are very well promoted by the childminder, who values each child's unique contribution to her setting. Children's personal, social and emotional development is appropriately fostered. They benefit from loving and affectionate relationships with the childminder, which help them feel secure and promoted their self esteem. As a result, children approach new experiences with enthusiasm and confidently explore their surroundings. From an early age, children are learning about the importance of good behaviour. They are praised for their achievements and are learning that they have to share toys and take turns. Children are adequately nourished and have regular opportunities to develop healthy eating habits. However, children are encouraged to make choices about what they eat but this sometimes results in children making less healthy choices, such as, jam

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and outcomes for children

sandwiches for lunch. Children have excellent opportunities to be physically active, they enjoy dancing and moving to music, as well as playing freely in the fresh air and sunlight which contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

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and outcomes for children

Children are active and inquisitive learners who, benefit from an outstanding range of play materials in a well presented learning environment. The accessibility and presentation of play materials encourages children to make meaningful choices and clearly contributes to the good progress children are making. The childminder has an excellent understanding of child development and provides a broad and balanced range of experiences, the outdoor learning environment is very well utilised, children enjoy growing a small range of fruit and vegetables and use small spades to dig in the soil. Children enthusiastically explore a wide range of different textures, such as, crazy foam, paints, cooked pasta and jelly. They investigate the contents the childminder's treasure basket, which contains a selection of natural objects with interest. Children are developing key skills for the future, the childminder effectively promotes their language skills, routinely extending their

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and outcomes for children

vocabulary. Children are interested in books, they turn pages and lift the flaps with care. They enjoy looking at pictures and repeat new words, for example, bish, bash, bosh. Children are developing problem solving skills as they play, completing puzzles, connecting construction materials and matching shapes. Children understand how to make electronic toys work, turning switches so their chosen toy will make a sound. They understand that they can make the lights flash by pressing one button and make the lift on the garage move by pressing another.

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and outcomes for children

Children's time within the childminders home is complemented by regular outings to places of interest which raise their awareness of the world in which they live. The childminder supports children's learning and development very well and provides a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. She is a very experienced practitioner who has a detailed knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Sensitive observational assessments are routinely completed and are expertly used to plan for children's future learning, ensuring children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 achieve as much as they can given their capabilities. Focused activities are evaluated and developed to further promote children's learning and enjoyment. For example, after children explore the texture of cooked spaghetti, the childminder adds food colouring and then adds pans & spoons. A tracker system is in place

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and outcomes for children

which indicates that children are making strong progress since records commenced and parents comment on the rapid progress children make with the childminder. However, it does not fully reflect the progress children have made, because limited information is documented at admission in relation to children's starting points. 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 1 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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