Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY280861 Inspection date 07/02/2012 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 has been registered since 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and nine years in a house in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. The family has a dog and a rabbit. The whole of the ground floor and the upstairs bathroom are used for childminding. The rear garden is used for outdoor play.

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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, three of whom may be in the early years age group. She also occasionally works with an assistant, which allows them to look after a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, five of whom may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children on roll who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder transports children to and from the local school. She regularly attends toddler groups and 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for by a childminder who knows them well and ensures that they feel valued as individuals. Policies and procedures are in place to ensure the setting runs smoothly. The childminder ensures that safety and hygiene are successfully promoted to safeguard the children's welfare, and maintains records to comply with requirements. Children are beginning to make progress in their learning and development. However, observations and planning are not always consistent to help children achieve to their full potential. Self-evaluation is in its infancy, but the childminder is aware of the areas of her setting that she wants to improve further.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the arrangements for observations and assessments to more clearly reflect the early learning goals, so they can be used to assist in planning enjoyable and challenging learning and development experiences that are tailored to meet children's individual needs  enhance partnership working with parents and other settings to enable continuity of care and learning for all children.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well, and risk assessments and daily checks are carried out on the areas used by children help to keep them safe. The childminder has undertaken training in child protection and is aware of her responsibilities to act This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 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. 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.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an awareness of the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses this in assessing children's stage of development. However, ongoing observations and planning do not consistently reflect this. This means that the children do not always receive challenging learning and development experiences. Self-evaluation is in its infancy. The childminder knows her strengths and the areas she wishes to improve in her setting. She has addressed the recommendations from her previous inspection and uses the toy library to extend resources to positively reflect diversity. Toys and equipment are now more accessible and children are able to self-select.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed good relationships with parents and there is a daily exchange of information. However, she does not identify how parents can support their child in their learning and development. Partnerships with others who provide the Early Years Foundation Stage for the children who attend her setting are at an early stage of development. This does not ensure continuity of care and learning. The childminder has procedures and policies in place to support children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities and is aware of the referral routes available.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and confident and they have a good relationship with the childminder. Regular routines and a caring attitude enable children to feel safe and secure in the childminding environment. This is demonstrated by their confidence in the presence of other adults and their willingness to interact. Children move around freely, know where they can go, and what they can access. Escape routes are posted at all exits and the children discuss potential risks before going on outings. This means they are supported in beginning to identify and understand how to stay safe.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making satisfactory progress in relation to their starting points and they are cared for by a childminder who knows them well. They respond positively when making decisions as to which activity to undertake. Children are able to follow their own interests, for example, in investigating a musical toy, repeatedly pushing buttons to make sounds. They are encouraged to use their imagination. Children concentrate for long periods on a single activity and the childminder uses her experience to extend this. For example, when dressing up as favourite character, they cook a meal for the other characters in the story and then complete a jigsaw of the character, with the childminder encouraging them to look for shapes and patterns. Children develop early writing skills as younger children make marks and older children make good attempts at writing their name and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

recognise shapes. Real-life situations are also used to support learning, such as when assisting the childminder to make a list for a trip to the shops. They have access to a laptop to develop their skills in the use of information and communication technology.

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and outcomes for children

Children have satisfactory opportunities to learn about healthy lifestyles. They are provided with healthy snacks and are able to make healthy choices at mealtimes. Children play games to help them begin to understand the differences between healthy and unhealthy food. They have access to an outdoor area which is resourced to support their physical development. This is enhanced by visits to soft play facilities and local playing fields. Children follow healthy routines and procedures, for example, they know how to dispose of used tissues safely to prevent the spread of infection. They use their own towels in the bathroom and antibacterial wipes at other times. They grow tomatoes from seed, observe changes as the plant grows, and then eat the produce. This means they are beginning to understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle. The children understand the process of recycling and practise this with the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is good due to the skilled input of the childminder in managing this. Children willingly cooperate and share with others and they help the childminder in tidying up. They know routines, for example, sitting at the table for a snack. Children are aware of each other's needs, with older children looking after the younger ones. Children self-select activities supported by the childminder. Resources reflect a multicultural environment and the childminder challenges any inappropriate behaviour or equality issues. Through group discussion and she supports the children in identifying and understanding how it might feel. 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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