Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY359868 Inspection date 25/11/2011 Inspector Patricia Keith

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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 has been registered since 2007. The childminder lives with her husband who is her assistant. The whole of the ground floor, first floor bathroom and small bedroom of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a pet dog. Nearby there are local amenities including shops and parks.

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Description of the childminding

She is registered to care for six children under the age of eight years. When working with an assistant the childminder is registered to care for nine children under eight with five in the early years age group and no more than two under one. At present there are 11 children on the roll. Children come for a variety of sessions. The childminder is registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in an extremely warm, caring and inclusive environment. The childminder plans and delivers an excellent range of activities that reflect the children's interests and abilities. The childminder's understanding of the Early Years Foundation stage is excellent and her dedication to enabling children to learn through play is inspirational. The provision for continuous improvement is extremely good because of the childminder's commitment, determination and thorough methods of self-reflection and assessment.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 ensuring that children are involved in the self-evaluation.

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the early years provision

Children's safety and security is given the utmost priority. The childminder and her assistant regularly update their training and comprehensive safeguarding policies and procedures are followed. Systematic risk assessments in the home and prior to outings help to minimise any potential hazards. The children learn how to identify risks themselves by using their own pictorial risk assessments.

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the early years provision

Excellent consideration is given to the deployment of toys and resources, for example, toys are easily accessible and organised in clear containers with laminated pictures. In addition, the childminder has developed a catalogue with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 photographs of all her resources, resulting in even the youngest children being able to point and choose.

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the early years provision

The parents receive high quality information about the provision and contribute their views and ideas through daily discussion, diaries and questionnaires. Parents are highly complimentary about the childminder's practice as demonstrated in numerous letters and cards of support.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly reflective and uses self-evaluation to record her strengths and areas for improvement. She regularly updates her expertise by attending regular training and at present she is working toward a level 3 childcare qualification.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly motivated to working in partnership with other provision that children attend. She takes a lead role in establishing the sharing of information in order to oversee the continuity of care, learning and development. This has resulted in all the children being invited to visit the local school that children attend to take part in celebrations.

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the early years provision

Children develop excellent community awareness by regularly going out and about in the local area. A recent visit to a museum prompted children to notice differences between past and present in their area. Children regularly visit woods and parks for a great leaf hunt. Children learn about different cultures and diversity within their community as they celebrate a range of festivals, hear different languages spoken and visit the local mosque. This dedication to inclusion is mirrored in the displays in the childminder's home which feature words from children's home language. This results in chidren experiencing a sense of community and belonging.

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and outcomes for children

Children's personal, social and emotional development is very strongly embedded. Young children are happy and settled because the childminder fully addresses their emotional security. The childminder has extensive knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She carries out rigorous observations and plans rich learning and imaginative experiences for the children. Children are caught up in their play and are given time and resources to extend their learning. For instance, the bowls from the story of the three bears are used to see which bear fits in which bowl and later transformed by the children into musical instruments which provide great delight. The outside area provides a wonderland of opportunity for exploration. The willow den is regularly transformed, through children's imagination; into a variety of uses including a rocket to the moon. The childminder has recently purchased splash suits for the children to enable them to

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and outcomes for children

Excellent standards of hygiene are maintained in order to prevent the spread of infection. Children are taught to be responsible for their own hygiene and when asked why they were washing their hands children comment 'to get rid of germs This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and to keep tummy bugs away'. Children have extensive opportunities to learn about healthy eating. They plant and harvest a variety of vegetables and learn where food comes from. After harvesting peas children remarked 'I used to think these came from tins!' In addition the children pick apples from the tree in the garden and use the fruit to make jam to present to their parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop an excellent understanding of safe practices. They learn how to identify risks themselves by using their own pictorial risk assessments.

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and outcomes for children

Children's language development is exceptional due to the childminder's outstanding interaction. She asks lots of questions, repeats words back to young children and praises them. The childminder uses many opportunities to promote problem solving, for instance, children are actively involved in putting a tent up and judging which strut goes where. Children are able to concentrate for long periods of time as the activities are carefully planned to sustain their thinking, for instance, a baby stays engrossed in opening a jack in the box and then squeals with delight when he succeeds. Every day routines are used to incorporate numbers such as counting down to lunch time. Excellent photographic evidence shows children participating in many activities such as baking, painting and exploring. Children are happy and secure in this warm inviting environment.

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and outcomes for children

Because the childminder gathers a wealth of information before the children start including identifying emerging schemas she is highly successful in ensuring that all children settle well and make excellent progress in their learning and development. Children are immersed in a rich environment of songs, rhymes and stories and as a result children's communication is exceptional.

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and outcomes for children

Robust systems are in place to monitor the children's progress and challenging activities are provided that suit their individual needs. The children's assessment records identify their next steps and parents are encouraged to contribute their comments.

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and outcomes for children

Because this childminder is reflective and continually striving to make improvements to her practice the children make good progress in all their areas of learning and development. 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 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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