Childminder, Out-of school day care in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 321759 Inspection date 06/02/2012 Inspector Hayley Gardiner

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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 1990. She lives with her adult son in Pontefract, West Yorkshire. Most of the house is used for childminding, except the garden and bedrooms on the second and third floors. The childminder is registered to care for up to six children under eight years of age at any one time. At present, there are five children on roll, of whom four are under five years of age. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks children out into the community to local toddler groups and takes and collects children to and from school.

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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

The childminder has good relationships with parents, children and other professionals involved in the children's learning and development. Children play in a safe and secure environment, which actively promotes good behaviour, independence and learning. However, resources do not fully reflect diversity. Children progress well from their starting points because they access an overall wide range of stimulating activities and experiences. Children are safeguarded and well protected with most documentation, policies and procedures complying with regulations to promote children's welfare. The childminder has a positive attitude towards continued improvement and uses the self-evaluation process to help.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure parental permission is obtained to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 04/04/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 provide positive images that challenge children's thinking and help them to embrace differences in gender, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, special educational needs and/or disabilities  provide children further opportunities to use a range of information and communication technology. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder is suitably vetted and shows a high level of obligation to keeping children safe. She is knowledgeable about child protection and has completed relevant training to ensure she is up-to-date with legislation. The childminder has clear policies, procedures and systems in place for identifying any child at risk of harm. This means that children are safeguarded and well protected. The childminder carries out risk assessments and regularly reviews them. This minimises any hazards to the children. The childminder keeps relevant documentation, including accident, medication and attendance records, resulting in children being well protected. However, the childminder does not obtain parental permission, at the time of the child's admission to the provision, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment.

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the early years provision

The environment is well organised and the resources available are all of good quality and support children's learning. However, children have few opportunities to access information and communication technology. For example, they do not have opportunities to use the camera, compact disc player or tape recorders in addition to computers. Children freely select resources and activities they want to use, such as instruments, books and games. They regularly visit the library to choose books and story sacks to take back to the setting. Children role play and recreate experiences confidently.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of each child's background and needs. Children celebrate festivals and some multicultural resources are available, such as dolls and books. However, the setting lacks positive images of gender, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, special educational needs and disabilities; this means children have fewer opportunities to challenge their thoughts and feelings about diversity. Children are learning to have a positive attitude towards themselves. The childminder encourages this by giving the children lots of praise and making them feel special, as their birthdays and special occasions are celebrated.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms good relationships with parents and carers. Parents report that the care is like 'home from home' and 'children have been nurtured and enjoy doing a range of activities'. The childminder has an effective system in place to exchange information about the children's care; this enables parents' wishes and children's needs to be met. She fosters good working relationships with the local school and the childminder networks. The childminder also works effectively with other agencies, for example, the speech therapist to ensure children's individual needs are well met.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses the self-evaluation tool to reflect on practice and is aware of her strengths and areas to develop. She has a clear vision for the setting and continuously looks for ways to develop. The childminder actively uses parents' views to evaluate her practice and improve. Since the last inspection, she has taken positive steps to improve the nappy changing procedure to reduce the risk of cross-infection and has also developed a routine to practise the emergency escape This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedure. This means that children now understand the need to evacuate quickly in an emergency.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy being in the setting and are secure in the routine because the childminder is careful to meet their needs. The laughter throughout the setting is contagious; both the childminder and children are constantly smiling and enjoying their time together. The observations, assessments and planning systems are comprehensive with clear next steps linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder uses open-ended questions and readily offers explanations, encouraging children to make connections and think critically. The childminder is aware of the younger children's abilities and adapts the activities to meet their individual needs. She moves in and out of children's play supporting and challenging them. This means that the children make good progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children express eagerness and delight in their activities. They talk freely about what they are doing and ask the childminder for support when needed. They can rote count beyond 10 and are beginning to recognise shapes and colours. Children take part in planting and growing vegetables and plants in all seasons. They then observe the changes as the plants grow with interest. Children readily sort the empty cartons, boxes and tins into groups ready to recycle. This means that children are developing good skills for the future. They access a wide range of creative activities, for example making crowns and role play being princesses. Children manipulate the play dough into different shapes with ease and confidence, developing their fine motor skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes children's health well. Children wash their hands before every meal and use their own towel. They are beginning to make choices and actively choose their own healthy snack. Children have a balanced diet and regular movement and exercise sessions, such as dancing to the music and instrument sessions. They engage in the healthy eating story sack, looking at the books and participating in the role play activities independently by cutting and preparing the wooden fruit and vegetables for dinner. Children have a favourite book, which develops their knowledge and highlights the importance of brushing their teeth and visiting the dentist.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has consistent house rules and clear boundaries, which means that children behave well. They play together in harmony but also confidently alone and alongside each other. The childminder offers clear explanations and talks about the way children feel. This enables children to express themselves in an appropriate way. The childminder makes good use of the local area, including going to childminding groups and visiting gardens in the town centre. The children are aware of keeping safe and the older children are taught the dangers of crossing the road and the green cross code. 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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