Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 321841 Inspection date 23/02/2012 Inspector Laura Hoyland

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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 1992. She lives with her two adult sons in Walton, a village on the outskirts of Wakefield. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's property is used for childminding purposes, with access to bathroom facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. Access to the property is via several steps. The family has a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range and no more than one may be under one year old. Currently there are eight children on roll in the early years age range. The childminder collects children from local schools. The childminder has a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for by an exceptionally inspiring childminder who meets children's individual needs with precision. Consequently all children make outstanding progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has created a rich and stimulating environment tailored to children's interests and incorporates new experiences to ensure children are highly motivated to learn. The childminder is extremely aware of her strengths and areas for development and works effectively with parents and children to ensure her practice continually improves. Highly effective partnerships with parents, carers and other professionals ensure that all children's welfare and learning and development needs are meticulously well met at all times.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 implementing the planned improvements for the outdoor area.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to keep children safe and has attended safeguarding training. She gives the highest priority to ensuring children are safe at all times. There are robust safeguarding policies and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures in place that are updated regularly. Background checks have been carried out on all adults in the setting. This means that children are safe and secure while in the childminder's care. The childminder has comprehensive up-to- date risk assessments in place for the premises and outings and reviews them regularly. This means that children can move around the setting safely and freely and are kept consistently safe when off the premises.

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the early years provision

The childminder has excellent knowledge of each child's background and individual needs. This means she can fully support children in all aspects of welfare, learning and development. She organises her time incredibly well to ensure that all children have personalised learning and are superbly supported to reach their full potential. The childminder provides a rich, varied and imaginative range of resources for children to independently select and explore. She provides a balance of adult-led and child-led activities and as a result children are optimally challenged and highly motivated to learn.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly skilled at identifying her strengths and areas for development. She works enthusiastically to find ways to improve her provision and consults parents and children to gain their views of her practice. For example, she sends out regular parent questionnaires and discusses children's thoughts and feeling about her care on a regular basis. As a result parents and children are fully involved in the continuous improvement of the setting. The childminder sets herself realistic and appropriate targets and has identified that further development of the garden would benefit children's learning and development outdoors. Previous recommendations have been promptly and effectively addressed.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents, carers and other provisions are outstanding and this is shown through well-established channels of communication. The childminder regularly shares information with parents and carers regarding children's development and keeps them updated of children's progress. For instance, a termly 'home link' sheet covering all six areas of learning is shared with parents and carers providing information and guidance about precise ways they can support their child's learning across different areas. These highly inclusive systems of communication ensure that relationships are exceedingly well maintained. Extremely strong relationships have been developed with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure children's transitions are smooth and their learning and development aspirations are consistently met. For example, observation and assessment records are shared and discussed with the local

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the early years provision

primary schools to ensure children consistently make outstanding progress.

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and outcomes for children

All children are exceptionally well settled in the setting because the childminder knows each child extremely well and follows their individual routine. Children demonstrate a high level of understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, children fasten dolls into pushchairs checking the safety This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 harness before embarking on their imaginative journey to a holiday cottage. Other children wear hard hats and high visibility jackets as they construct a recycling centre outdoors. Older children create 'Stranger Danger' booklets with examples of people who are safe to communicate with and ways to say 'no' to strangers. This means that children show a mature response to their responsibilities and understand potential dangers in the community.

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and outcomes for children

All children are developing an understanding of adopting healthy lifestyles and show an excellent understanding of healthy eating. For example, children ensure their dolls are given vegetables to eat at lunchtime because they know they constitute healthy foods. Children also listen to the hearts of the animals in the role play vets area to see if they are healthy enough to return home. The childminder provides a wealth of opportunities for children to exercise daily. For example, she takes them swimming to develop life saving skills and devises obstacle courses that are challenging in order to support children's development of balance and coordination skills. Children understand the importance of following effective hygiene procedures. For example, they wash their hands before meals and snacks and discuss the need to wash away germs to keep their bodies healthy. Consequently children have a superb understanding of how to lead a healthy

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is exceptionally knowledgeable about the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses this to support all children's learning and development. She plans for each child's individual needs meticulously. For example, children develop communication, language and literacy skills by playing in the role play area that the childminder has created into a builder's office. They take telephone calls writing orders on order pads and access paint colour charts to further extend their imaginative play. As a result all children make excellent progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder regularly observes children and plans challenging and motivating learning opportunities and activities to meet their next steps. The childminder liaises with parents and carers to ensure that children reach their full potential in relation to their starting points.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave exceptionally well in the setting and show respect for their peers. For instance, they have creatively devised their own posters of rules and boundaries for the setting. This means they take responsibility for their actions and behaviour. The childminder promotes children's knowledge and understanding of other cultures and beliefs extremely well. For example, she displays positive images in the setting and celebrates many festivals and beliefs with the children including Diwali, Holi and Chinese New Year. This means children are developing respect for themselves and others and developing their knowledge and understanding of the world around them extremely successfully. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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