Childminder in Calderdale

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 303589 Inspection date 07/03/2012 Inspector Paula Fretwell

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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 1997. She works at times with her daughter, also a registered childminder at this address. She is also registered to work with an assistant. She lives with her family in Halifax. All downstairs rooms are used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the childcare register. She may care for six children, three of whom may be in the Early Years age range. There is one child on roll who is in the Early Years age range. The childminder 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

Children are happy and secure in the childminder's inclusive and welcoming setting. They feel confident through supportive relationships with adults and the childminder establishes mostly effective partnerships with their parents and other professionals. Documentation, such as policies, procedures and children's development records is well maintained and the childminder reflects on her practice to monitor and evaluate the quality of her provision. The childminder has a good understanding of the welfare, learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and she is committed to providing high quality experiences for children to learn through play.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend ways to include information from parents about their children's learning and development within their learning journey.

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the early years provision

Effective teamwork takes place between the childminder and her daughter, also a registered childminder, to enhance the care and supervision of the children. Children are safeguarded well because the childminder understands her role in protecting them from abuse and neglect and she undertakes regular training to update her knowledge in this area. Clear safeguarding procedures are known by the childminder and she ensures relevant contact numbers are easily accessible should she need to report any concerns or allegations. Children are supervised very well at all times and clear procedures ensure they can not be collected by anyone unauthorised. Well organised record keeping systems ensure children are kept safe, protected and supported. Risk assessments are completed thoroughly to keep children safe on outings, in the home and garden, with identified potential This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

hazards minimised. Children learn how to stay safe in the setting through simple reminders, such as sitting properly on their chair and carrying scissors carefully.

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the early years provision

Resources and activities are organised very well to offer good learning and development opportunities to the children, enabling them to make progress in all six areas of learning. Equipment and space are utilised to good effect, supporting the individual needs of children. The childminder promotes equality and encourages children to value diversity through many activities, resources and discussion. Children learn about other cultures and join in with celebrations, such as those for Chinese New Year. The childminder appreciates children's unique qualities and she includes them all fairly in all activities. The childminder regularly evaluates the strengths of the provision and identifies areas to improve, seeking the views of parents and children in the process. The recommendation from the last inspection has been addressed and the childminder is committed to continuously improving outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder updates her skills and knowledge through ongoing training, working closely with others and being aware of any changes that may affect her role. She has a clear knowledge of the legislation to which she works, with full regard for children's welfare, learning and development. She demonstrates her knowledge of children's unique abilities through detailed recording of their development, along with lovely photographs and comments to illustrate her observations and samples of their art work. Chats take place each day so that parents are involved in what their children have been doing and they know they can view their child's records at any time. However, parents do not routinely contribute to these records with their own information about their child. Parents readily discuss their views with the inspector and animatedly express their utmost satisfaction with the service and the high quality care of their children. They give

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the early years provision

abundant praise for the childminder's flexibility, the quality of the activities and their child's safety. Parents emphatically say that they have absolute trust in the childminder and they would strongly recommend her to others. Additionally, they put their views in writing to say that they are extremely pleased, that their child is very happy whilst in the care of the childminder. Parents receive newsletters which the children contribute to by taking photographs showing what has been taking place. The childminder secures good links with other settings children attend in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is fully aware of what they have planned and complements this to support children's learning and development in her setting.

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and outcomes for children

Lovely relationships are established between the children and all adults involved in the happy, lively setting. Children demonstrate a sense of belonging as they confidently enter the setting and quickly engage in purposeful play of their choice. They decide what they would like to play with from a wide range of toys, books and resources, many of which reflect the wider community. Activities are planned to meet children's learning and development needs and they make good progress in all areas. Children clearly enjoy being in the care of the childminder and there is a good balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities. Children enjoy taking part This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in planned craft activities and they proudly show off their creations, such as their mothers' day gifts. They also confidently express their own creative ideas as they choose to make paper lanterns, selecting appropriate materials and techniques.

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and outcomes for children

Children kindly show responsibility for their younger friends by demonstrating the activity, giving simple instructions and helping them to use scissors and sticky tape to create their own lantern. Children chat with each other as they play, talking about their favourite colours and how good they are at cutting the paper. The childminder knows when to join in and when to let children play undisturbed, such as when they are engrossed in imaginary play with small world toys. Children's language skills are promoted through plenty of conversation and the childminder uses skilled questioning to encourage them to think. Children enjoy listening to background music and they talk about their favourite songs. The childminder responds to children's individual interests and she creates opportunities for them to explore different textures, such as paint, sand, corn-flour, bubbles and foam. Children make dens and construct, using a wide range of materials. Children are

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and outcomes for children

developing good attitudes for future learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted well and the childminder has a good understanding of nutrition, offering healthy meals and snacks and working closely with parents to ensure children's dietary needs are fully met. Children enjoy healthy snacks, such as raisins and the childminder ensures they have access to drinks at all times. Policies, procedures and hygienic routines support children's health and help to prevent the spread of infection. Many outdoor opportunities support children's good health and they benefit from daily walks in the fresh air to local places or playing in the childminder's garden.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a calm and caring atmosphere in which they are shown plenty of patience and positive encouragement for what they can do. The childminder uses meaningful praise and positive language constantly and gives plenty of individual attention to enable children to feel valued and important. Simple house rules encourage children to show respect for each other. Children use lovely manners without being prompted and adults are good role models for this behaviour. 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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