Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY285630 Inspection date 24/02/2012 Inspector Anne Mackay

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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 2004. She lives with her three children aged 15, 10 and five years in Pontefract, West Yorkshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family has two dogs, a rabbit and goldfish.

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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. Currently there are seven children on roll, four of whom are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She has completed a relevant early years qualification.

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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 benefit from a warm and bright environment where the childminder knows each child well and ensures that their individual needs are met. Children are happy, settled and making satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder promotes healthy living thoroughly and develops very positive relationships with parents. She has a broad understanding of making links with other settings that children attend to support their continuity of care. Most of the requirements relating to children's welfare are promoted appropriately; however, there is an aspect that is not fully met. The childminder understands her strengths and weaknesses and is committed to continually improving her provision for children.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given (Safeguarding and promoting welfare). (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 09/03/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure observation across the six areas of learning supports continuous assessment to form a view of where each child is in their learning and to identify their next steps  provide a rich and varied environment that supports children's learning, with regard to the resources that are available to them. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are generally safeguarded and protected because the childminder understands her responsibilities towards children in her care and she ensures their well-being is maintained. She has a written child protection policy in place and knows the procedure to follow should she have any concerns about a child. Most of the records required for safe and efficient management of the early years provision are maintained. However, prior written permission has not been obtained from parents for each and every medicine before medication is given. This is a breach of the welfare requirements. Appropriate risk assessments for the home and for outings are in place and regularly reviewed. Children enjoy playing in an airy, bright environment with displays of their artwork on the walls and within which they can safely move around freely.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very experienced. Her sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage means children's priorities for learning are identified and planned for as they make satisfactory progress towards the early leaning goals. The childminder deploys resources appropriately and she plans a range of activities that are suitable to each child's individual needs. Children follow their own interests and younger children indicate what they would like to do, for example, by picking up their own apron in preparation for painting or by choosing a pen. Although resources that interest children are readily available, further resources to promote a richer and more varied environment are not as readily accessible to them. The childminder has moved house recently and subsequently she has identified a need to reorganise her resources to more fully facilitate children's learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates suitable ambition and vision to drive improvement and has identified that she wishes to continue to keep up to date with training related to meeting the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder verbally describes what she does well and sufficiently evaluates the impact that the improvements she has made, for example, in seeking parents' views on her provision. She has sought feedback from parents through the use of a questionnaire.

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the early years provision

The childminder meets the individual needs of children appropriately, irrespective of background or ability. She does this by developing positive relationships with parents and children, and this contributes to inclusion, meeting children's needs consistently and providing continuity of care. The childminder is aware of the importance of effective systems of information sharing and uses sensitive methods to communicate with parents, such as sending parents of newly introduced children a text during the day to let them know how their child has settled. The childminder ensures that she shares appropriate information with other early years settings that are involved with children when she collects or drops them off, thus contributing to supporting children's welfare and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children make steady progress in their learning in relation to their capabilities and starting points because the childminder provides a generally good range of stimulating activities that all the children are interested in. For example, children plant seeds and grow carrots and cabbages that they are able to eventually cook and eat. The children's files provide parents with an interesting and personalised record of their child's progress, including photographs and examples of children's artwork. However, these records do not cover all aspects of a child's learning and some areas of future development are not identified. Children learn about simple mathematical concepts through fun activities, such as playing number games on their way to the park or counting bun cases when cooking. Children learn about the world by accessing a sufficient range of children's books, which are supplemented by trips to the library. Children enjoy the experience of using the

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and outcomes for children

wheeled toys as they use their developing physical skills to propel the toy forward. Younger children learn words and find out about their bodies as they play games in the mirror with the childminder; they laugh and copy her examples. Children learn to express themselves through a range of creative activities that the childminder adapts according to the current seasons and festivals, such as making Halloween buns, Christmas salt dough decorations and heart-shaped picture frames for Valentine's Day.

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and outcomes for children

Children are secure with the childminder and readily seek her support in their play, for instance, when doing jigsaws or changing dolls clothes. Children are building up their knowledge of how to stay safe. For example, they practise road safety and the childminder carries out regular fire evacuation procedures. Children benefit from a good range of healthy food and snacks and are encouraged to try different foods from around the world, such as curries and Chinese food. Daily walks to the park with the dogs are encouraged and children enjoy the experience of exercising their bodies and testing their skills on the large play equipment in local parks. Younger children are able to have uninterrupted naps when they need these. The childminder is comprehensive in her hygiene practices, washing the playroom floor daily before the children arrive, frequently wiping runny noses and using rubber gloves to change nappies.

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and outcomes for children

Praise and encouragement from the childminder ensure the children develop their sense of self-esteem. They behave well in the setting because the childminder gives clear explanations and sets appropriate boundaries. They are encouraged to have good manners, not to throw food and be gentle with each other and with animals. They are developing a respect for themselves and others because the childminder is a good role model. Children visit the local toddler group regularly, which gives them a sense of belonging in the local community. They are developing skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being as the childminder encourages them to develop their independence skills, such as putting their coats away and taking their own shoes on and off. 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 2 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for). 09/03/2012

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for). 09/03/2012

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