Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY432965 Inspection date 03/02/2012 Inspector Linda Filewood

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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 two children aged nine and six years in Allerton Bywater on the outskirts of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed outdoor play area to the rear of the property. The family has a cat.

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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, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently seven children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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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

The childminder provides a welcoming environment with a wide variety of activities and resources available to all children. All required documentation is in place and most contains sufficient information to support the children's safety and well-being. The childminder makes sure she has a good knowledge of each child's individual needs to enable her to promote their welfare and development well. As a result, children make good progress in most areas of their understanding, learning and development. The childminder has developed a positive partnership with parents to ensure she is inclusive in her practice and understands the importance of working with others to provide continuity in children's learning and care. The childminder has started to take some positive steps in her self-evaluation to identify areas to develop further in order to improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the accident records so that they show detail of any action taken as a result of the incident  continue to develop self-evaluation in order to identify key strengths and areas for improvement  continue to develop resources and activities with which to raise children's awareness of diversity. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge and appreciation of her responsibilities in protecting the children in her care. Clear child protection procedures are in place, which demonstrate the childminder's sound understanding of dealing with any concerns about a child's welfare promptly. All adults living in the childminder's home have complied with the required suitability checks. Parents are fully aware of the procedures in place to protect their children and the systems in place for their safe collection. Clear policies and procedures, including one for complaints, support the childminder's good practice. The childminder is organised and all records and registers required for the efficient and safe management of the provision are in place. However, some lack sufficient detail to support the children's welfare. A record of risk assessment identifies aspects of the environment, both indoors, outdoors and on outings that she checks on a regular

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the early years provision

basis. Doors are locked at all times, with keys accessible, to prevent children from leaving and unauthorised persons from entering. The childminder supervises children well at all times and they access to a good range of safe, high quality furniture, toys and equipment. The childminder makes sure that activities, resources and equipment are suitable for the children using them.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes positive working relationships with parents. She clearly promotes equality and diversity and is continuing to develop her range of resources and activities to raise children's awareness of similarities and differences. The childminder gathers information from parents to ensure she has a good knowledge of each child's background and needs. She shares a well-presented file with parents, which includes plenty of information on herself, her setting and the childminding policies and procedures. The childminder keeps parents well informed about their child's activities in several ways and they are encouraged to share in their child's learning journey. The introductory arrangements help babies and children to settle quickly and parents state they have noticed an improvement in their development since attending. The childminder has not yet cared for any children who also attend other early years provision. However, she has a secure

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the early years provision

understanding of the importance of partnership working to support children's continuity of care.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a commitment to continued professional development and keeps up-to-date with current childcare practice through training, the internet and other childminders with whom she meets. She is beginning to reflect on the way she works in order to maintain and develop her practice in the future. There is a sufficient understanding of her strengths and of areas for improvement but systems for self-evaluation are not sufficiently developed to enable her to drive continuous improvement in all areas. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settle well as they make choices and decisions about their play in a child-centred environment. They experience a good range of activities inside and outside the home, which support their all round development. The childminder plans daily routines and activities around the individual needs and abilities of the children in her care. The consistent daily routines, which follow their home routines, help children gain confidence and feel settled and secure. For example, young children know they must wash their hands before having lunch and go into the kitchen of their own accord when they hear lunch being prepared.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the learning and development and welfare requirements. Consequently, she effectively promotes each child's welfare and learning. The childminder maintains individual profiles for each child, which contain observations linked to the six areas of learning and she uses them competently to plan the next steps in their learning. Consequently, each child is making good progress in relation to their starting points. Resources are skilfully set out around the room at floor level for children and they confidently self-select toys, games and books from the interesting range. The childminder sits on the floor playing with the children effectively supporting them to develop skills for the future, encouraging their independence and extending their language development. Children enthusiastically dress up and thoroughly enjoy looking at themselves in the hall mirror. Young children use mathematical language readily in

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and outcomes for children

play and show a good understanding of size when playing with small world animals. Children's fine motor skills are developing well. For example, young children are beginning to write the letters of their name and younger children carefully make towers of wooden building blocks. Children are inquisitive learners as they explore the contents of boxes of resources. On outings, the childminder talks with them about what they can see so that they learn to appreciate the world around them.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their freshly prepared meals and use age-appropriate cutlery competently. They learn about healthy eating and foods that are good for them during play, by growing some fruit and vegetables in the garden and as they help the childminder to cook. There are very effective steps to prevent the spread of infection when hand drying and young children recognise their own towel by the colour. Children are learning about possible dangers and to keep themselves safe. For example, they practise the fire drill and help to brush the sand off the floor after play so they do not slip. Children are very safe on outings and children who walk alongside the pushchair know to hold hands. They are learning good behaviour, as they are encouraged to take turns and share as they play. Children respond well to the childminder and generally play harmoniously together. The childminder offers them plenty of praise and encouragement, which raises their

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and outcomes for children

self-esteem. Regular trips to the local toddler group help children learn to play in larger groups by supporting their social development. This supports their confidence well in making a smooth, transition to pre-school or school. 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 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 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 3 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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