Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY365879 Inspection date 30/01/2012 Inspector Geoff Dorrity

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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 2007. She lives with her family in Batley. There are schools, shops, parks and access to public transport in the local area. The whole ground floor and first floor bathroom of the childminder's house are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The family has two cats, two lizards and tropical fish. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time; of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group, and of these, not more than two may be under one year of age at any one time. When working with an assistant, she may care for no more than seven children aged under eight years; of these, not more than six may be in the early years age group and of these, not more than two may be under one year of age at any one time. She currently has six children on roll, of whom three are in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The

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Description of the childminding

childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the outcomes for children in all areas are good. Children make significant progress because they are provided with good quality, individualised care and learning in a positive environment. All children are included well. The childminder regularly reviews her provision and practice and makes improvements based on this. Strong professional relationships with parents and other provisions provide children with a consistency, which assures their protection and supports their learning. Particular strengths include the childminder's commitment to developing independent learning and life skills and her practice in developing healthy lifestyles.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance outcomes for children through improving knowledge and practice of the Early Years Foundation Stage and more specifically observation, assessment, planning and recording skills  improve further children's understanding of different cultures and lifestyles through enhancing resources.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well. Risk assessments and daily checks are carried out on the environments used by children to help to keep them safe. Good security measures are in place. The childminder has undertaken training in child protection. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 She is aware of her responsibilities to act upon any concerns she may have about children in her care. Policies are written and shared with parents. Therefore, parents understand about the procedures, which help to protect their children's safety and enhance their well-being. Children's records are maintained effectively. Medication and accident records are completed appropriately. The childminder makes parents aware of the role of Ofsted as the regulator and displays her certificate of registration. There is a good induction and appraisal system in place for the assistant childminder.

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the early years provision

The childminder is knowledgeable about the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses this well to support children in their learning. The environment is well- organised and accessible to the children. She uses a range of observations and evidence to track children's development as they move towards the early learning goals. These are used to plan for individuals. These systems could be developed further to improve upon the good progress that children already make.

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the early years provision

The childminder has created a welcoming environment. Children are settled and happy. She understands individual children's needs, starting points and backgrounds. Consequently, outcomes for children are good. However, resources could be enhanced to further promote children's understanding of other cultures and lifestyles.

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the early years provision

Effective partnerships with school and pre-school are established. The childminder ensures liaison with other providers where children have shared learning and care. She attends the local childminder group and children's centres enabling her to constantly improve her practice. This means that she has access to additional resources, such as a sensory room, to extend the children's learning and experiences.

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the early years provision

Parents are positive about the care their children receive. Their views are listened to and there is an effective daily exchange of information. For example, texting and emailing are used to keep parents informed, alongside daily diaries and more formal meetings.

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the early years provision

The childminder evaluates the success of her provision. She identifies and acts upon any areas of weakness to improve the outcomes for the children she cares for. She is pro-active in updating her training appropriately, which helps to promote her continuous improvement.

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and outcomes for children

The extent to which children feel safe is good. Children are settled and confident. They have a good relationship with the childminder. Well-organised routines and a caring attitude enable children to feel safe and secure in the childminding environment, demonstrated by their confidence in the presence of other adults and willingness to interact. Children are confident in exploring their surroundings and clearly enjoy finding out what they can do. Regular fire drills and risk assessments are undertaken. Risk assessments are discussed with children for outings, so that This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they know what to look out for. They learn and use the Green Cross Code. This means that children feel happy, safe and secure and they react positively to activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well-supported to adopt healthy lifestyles. Their individual dietary requirements are catered for. Healthy snacks and meals are provided. The children prepare their own lunches. This enables discussions to take place about healthy foods and promotes independent skills. This is reinforced with games promoting understanding of healthy and less healthy diets. The children follow healthy routines, such as washing hands before and after meals. Trips are arranged to the wider environment, for example, local parks and further afield. This means that the children understand the importance of personal hygiene, healthy diets and physical exercise.

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and outcomes for children

The children make good progress in relation to their starting points and are active learners. The childminder uses observations to plan for individual children and understands their current interests, their likes and dislikes. There is an effective balance of child-initiated and adult-led play. The childminder is skilled at developing independence in children. Children freely access equipment. All areas of learning are provided for, which ensures that the environment is conducive to learning. A range of activities are provided. Story walks are enjoyed by the children, using the local environment to promote their imagination and understanding. The childminder constantly extends their learning, providing mark making equipment when the children are playing imaginary games and then enabling children to post letters with the postman. The children use number in a real-life situation, reading the clock and discussing their ages by adding numbers.

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and outcomes for children

They are developing an understanding about their environment through recycling the materials they use. Therefore, children are making steady progress towards the early learning goals in all six areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is very good due to the skilled input of the childminder in managing this. A well-resourced learning environment enables children to make choices and develop independent skills. They celebrate a range of festivals, for example, Hallowe'en, Eid, Easter and Chinese New Year. Resources reflect their multicultural environment, but could be extended. Inappropriate behaviour is successfully challenged. The development of skills for the future is well supported. Children willingly cooperate and share with others. They are given responsibilities, for example, in serving drinks and cooperating in tidying up. Children are allowed to progress interests and use scientific instruments, such as magnifying glasses. The children use mobile phones, the computer and laptop in their play. Consequently, they are developing skills to use in their future. 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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