Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY430584 Inspection date 12/12/2011 Inspector Christine Walker

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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 and lives with her two children aged five years and two years in the Bramley area of Leeds, close to shops, schools, parks and local transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home, the upstairs bathroom and back bedroom is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family has a pet rabbit and hamster.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder cares for children between the hours of 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday. The childminder is registered to care for four children under 8 years at any one time and is currently minding four children who attend a mixture of part time and full time.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from the local nursery and primary school and attends 'stay and play' sessions at the local children's centre. The childminder holds a National Vocational qualification at level 3 in Child Care and Education and is a member of National Childminders Association.

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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 make generally good progress in their learning and development and are happy and settled because the childminder knows them well. The childminder works well with parents to promote consistency of care for the children which make them feel secure and ensures that children's individual needs are met. Observation assessment and planning are not yet fully developed. Children's learning is mostly well supported by the range of toys and equipment available. The childminder has adequate knowledge of safeguarding children. Policies and procedures are clear and most records to support these are in place. The childminder shows satisfactory capacity for continuous improvement and is aware of her strengths and weaknesses.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve further knowledge of child protection and have regard for the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures  develop planning, observation and assessments to identify children's starting points, identify gaps in learning and plan for next steps in their development This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  ensure written parental permission is obtained to take the children on outings record children's pre-existing injuries and ensure this is signed by parents  develop the availability and range of equipment available for babies and younger children to enable them to explore different natural materials to stimulate their curiosity and different senses.

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the early years provision

Children are protected because the childminder has an appropriate knowledge of the signs and symptoms of child abuse. However, her awareness of current Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures is limited which could impact on children's safety. The childminder holds a current child paediatric first aid certificate and records accidents to children whilst in her care but keeps no record of children's pre-existing injuries which could impact on the children's welfare. The childminder has written permission to administer medication which is recorded appropriately. The childminder accurately records children's attendance which is signed by parents and has a record of children's details with emergency contacts and other relevant information. However, only verbal consent to take children on outings is sought which means it is unclear if parents formally agree to this.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes visual checks of the home and garden and has risk assessments in place. The garden is fenced making it secure. The front door is kept locked and child safety gates are in use at the bottom of the stairs. Child- proof locks on the kitchen cupboards make these inaccessible. These safety measures help to provide a safe environment for the children to play. The childminder has a range of written policies to inform her practice and a parents' handbook keeps them aware of her policies and procedures. Parents speak highly of the care for their children and all comment on how happily and quickly their children settle at the setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder supports individual children's learning appropriately and provides varied activities appropriate for their age and stage of development. There is a generally good range of activities available to support children's learning both indoors and out. However, babies have no access to natural materials or treasure baskets to stimulate their curiosity and senses. The environment is organised and accessible to the children, this gives them autonomy to choose activities for themselves.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms close working relationships with parents and carers. She obtains useful information about each child such as dietary requirements and daily routines. This means that parents' wishes and children's individual needs are effectively met. The childminder and parents share important information about their children on arrival each day to ensure continuity of care. The childminder is aware of her strengths and weaknesses and is looking at ways to improve her provision, for example, arrangements are in place with the local childminding support worker to help with planning, observation and assessment of children's learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children settle well because they feel safe and secure and the childminder is careful to meet their individual needs. For example, non-mobile babies arrive and are immediately provided with cushions to ensure that they safely sit on the floor. Older children are able to move freely around the downstairs in the setting because the childminder ensures their environment is safe. For example, they are aware of where they can go in the home and know how to use toys and other resources safely. Children's good health is promoted effectively by the childminder. Children wash their hands before lunch as hygiene routines are established. These are demonstrated by the childminder who washes her own hands before and after nappy changing and before food preparation. Children are starting to learn about making healthy food choices because they are offered nutritious choices, such as fresh fruit for snacks and at lunch time. Children and the childminder discuss that

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to play outside in the fresh air most days. They are developing good physical skills in walking, running, jumping and pedalling because they make use of a variety of resources. For example, they can use the sit and ride toys, bikes and use a see- saw, slide and trampoline to develop large muscle skills. The children also visit the local park and attend the stay and play sessions at the local children's centre. This allows them to develop a sense of belonging in the community. Children are making steady progress towards the Early Learning Goals because the childminder provides activities around the children's interests. The childminder undertakes some short observations and captions photographs of children which show links to the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. However, this is not yet undertaken for all children. Therefore, observation, planning and assessment systems are in their infancy and not yet fully developed.

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and outcomes for children

They do not identify children's starting points or next steps which hinder their full progress towards the Early Learning Goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing developmentally appropriate language skills, for example, the childminder responds to babies babbling encouraging communication as a two way process. There is a range of resources to support the children's learning and children can access some resources from low-level shelves and boxes. This enables them to make choices and promote their independence. Children make steady progress in their development in their chosen activities. For example, young children select train track and trains from the box and with the help of the childminder build a train track. Children are also gaining relevant problem-solving skills and good skills in technology as they access a range of push button toys, shape sorters and other hand held electronic games. This means that the children are developing appropriate skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Praise and encouragement from the childminder ensures the children develop high levels of self-esteem. Children behave well because the childminder gives This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 explanations and sets appropriate boundaries. Children are learning to develop positive attitudes towards themselves and others because the childminder is a good role model. She provides a range books and activities which enable children to appreciate similarities and differences and they celebrate birthdays and festivals together. Children with English as a second language learn and develop because their needs are identified and provided for. The childminder asks parents to provide key words in the children's home language. 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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