Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 310991 Inspection date 06/12/2011 Inspector Victoria Ashley

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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 1996. She lives with her husband, who acts as an assistant and two children aged 16 and 14 in Birstall, West Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there are bathroom facilities on the first floor. There is a garden for outside play which is not currently used due to safety issues. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She holds a childcare qualification.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for six children under the age of eight years, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for two children in the early years age range and two older children.

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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 benefit significantly from the childminder's ability to communicate well with parents, which ensures that individual needs of the children are met successfully. Children continue to make good progress this environment in which they feel safe and secure. The childminder involves parents in their child's learning and development through regular discussions. Most policies and procedures are detailed and implemented effectively to safeguard and promote children's welfare. The childminder has effective systems in place to monitor and evaluate her own practice and has addressed the recommendations from the last inspection. Children are safeguarded and continual improvements are made to enhance learning outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure parents have opportunities to review their children's progress regularly and contribute to their child's learning and development record  develop further opportunities for children to move freely between indoors and outdoors and develop their physical skills on large play equipment.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures and she knows who to contact if a safeguarding issue arises. She has recently completed an online safeguarding course. Children are safe as the childminder ensures they are closely supervised at all times while playing in a safe and secure home environment. Risk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessments are completed for the home and regularly reviewd ensuring areas used by the children are safe. For example, safety gates prevent access to stairs and hazardous chemicals are stored out of children's reach. The childminder has a current first-aid certificate, enabling her to protect and care for children in the event of an accident.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is well organised and accessible to all children. There is an abundance of toys available which are stored in clearly-labelled containers. Children make choices about what they want to play with by selecting photographs of toys for the childminder to get for them, which enhances their independence. Toys and equipment are appropriate for all children, with resources available for all ages and abilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of her strengths and weaknesses. She asks parents and children for their opinions through questionnaires inorder to identify areas to improve upon. For example, the childminder recently changed the self-selection system within the setting, which means that children are able to make more choices and become independent learners. She is aware of essential changes needed to make the garden safe and accessible and she hopes to do this in the near future. The childminder has followed recommendations made at the last inspection, ensuring children are safeguarded further.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms close working relationships with parents and carers. They have daily discussions and the childminder invites parents to contact her at any time. She also regularly sends photographs to parents so that they can see what their child has been doing and can be involved in their child's learning. However, parents have few opportunities to review their child's progress and contribute to their learning and development record.

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the early years provision

All children are fully included in all aspects of their environment and strongly encouraged to be independent, for example, in self-chosen activities and personal hygiene. The childminder promotes equality and diversity through resources reflecting people from different backgrounds. She readily adapts activities to ensure that all children can access them. For example, a threading activity is adapted by adding sticky tape to the end of the string so that children can manage tasks easily. An effective equal opportunities policy is in place and regularly reviewed, which means that the individual needs of all children are met and all children are included fully in the life of the setting.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder completes individual profiles for the children, which contain examples of their artwork and photographs of them at play. The profiles are shared with parents and include regular observations of the children's time with the childminder. However, current systems are not yet fully developed, as the evidence gathered is not used effectively to identify children's next steps and plan for their individual learning outcomes. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children show that they feel safe with the childminder. They are settled and secure and move freely around, selecting and playing with various toys. Children demonstrate confidence and make independent choices from the selection of resources provided.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides healthy snacks, such as, grapes and strawberries and drinks, such as water, juice and milk are available all day for the children, which promotes a positive attitude towards a balanced diet. The childminder's garden is not currently used due it being unsafe for young children, therefore, opportunities for children to move freely between indoors and outdoors and develop their physical skills on large play equipment are limited. The childminder takes children to the local park and play gyms, which helps develop their gross motor skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making steady progress towards the early learning goals in all six areas of learning. Young children's language skills are developing well as they repeat words, answer simple questions and use basic words to make their needs known. They complete activities competently, which develop their fine motor skills and creative development, such as painting, drawing and sticking. They are very sociable and well behaved, given their age, because the childminder gives clear explanations and sets appropriate boundaries. For example, she reminds children not to stand on toys or they might slip and she gives them frequent praise and encouragement which young children clearly delight in receiving. The childminder has a thorough knowledge of children's abilities and interests and understands how to develop these further, for example, introducing props, such as a mobile phone into role play, to develop and extends children's experiences.

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and outcomes for 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 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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