Hirst-Branfoot, Mrs Emma Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY439325 Inspection date 19/06/2012 Inspector Linda Filewood

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2011 and is registered to work with an assistant. She lives with her partner and two children aged five and two years on the outskirts of Leeds. All of the downstairs plus upstairs bathroom and toilet of the home are used for childminding purposes.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, both of whom attend on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children in her care well and has a good relationship with their parents so that she is fully aware of their individual needs. The good range of resources and activities support children's in making steady progress in their learning and development. Children play in a safe, secure environment but the childminder's assistant is not yet fully aware of all the policies and procedures in place. The childminder is beginning to make use of her observations of children play although this does not include their attainment on entry across all the areas of learning. The childminder's self-evaluation system is still developing, although she is clearly aware of areas within her provision to develop in order to improve the outcomes for children.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 practise evacuation procedures with children to raise their awareness of what to do in the event of a fire  ensure her assistant is aware of their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children  continue to develop a self-evaluation system to monitor the provision and identify key strengths and areas for improvement  continue to develop systems to help identify children's starting points in order to plan for their next steps in learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Clear safeguarding procedures are in place to ensure children's protection and the childminder understands her responsibility to the children she cares for. She has discussed the signs and symptoms of child abuse with her assistant but has not made him fully aware of all her procedures for the children's care and welfare. The childminder ensures children's safety by checking the identity of visitors and recording their arrival and departure times. All required documentation, such as accident and medication records, is completed with sufficient detail and parents are asked to sign appropriately. The childminder displays a fire evacuation plan but has not yet practised this with the children to ensure that everyone is clear on the procedures to follow. She organises the childminding space well and ensures that children who are not yet mobile have sufficient safe space and are fully included in play activities. The childminder arranges her good selection of resources and other

p.5

the early years provision

equipment, such as a small table for table-top toys and craft, well so that children can easily and safely access them. This helps children to become confident and independent. She supervises children carefully and takes precautions, such as putting an extra safety gate across the kitchen door, to reduce potential hazards.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder plans her daily routine to allow children opportunity for outings in the fresh air. There is no safe outdoor play space but this is an identified area for development to improve children's physical development. The childminder carefully follows each parent's requirement, especially for feeding, and parents are happy with the care and information she provides. The childminder exchanges plenty of information through daily dairies and discussion with parents so that she is fully aware of each child's needs. Parents are well informed about the childminder's services as she shares her policies and procedures with them. There is an established relationship with the local nursery. The childminder is proactive in speaking to other practitioners when new children start attending. This helps her provide continuity in their care, learning and development.

p.5

the early years provision

Through discussion the childminder is able to satisfactorily identify the strengths and areas for development within her provision. However, the evaluation processes are not yet robustly established. The childminder is attending further training to improve her professional knowledge. She puts into practice training she has already undertaken, for example, on oral hygiene and providing inclusive practice. The childminder is constantly looking to improve her provision. For example, she has purchased a double pushchair so that young children can travel safely and securely. The childminder asks parent to complete questionnaires to help her improve her service.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy warm relationships with the childminder and her family members. They smile easily at their familiar faces and respond well to them. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensures that babies are well included in play and offers them a good variety of age-appropriate toys to support the development. For instance, they enjoy the sensory experience of the soft toys and rattles and looking at themselves in mirrors. All resources are non-stereotypical so that, regardless of gender, children have access to the full range of activities and play opportunities. Babies' language skills are beginning to develop as the childminder talks to them constantly and they babble in return. The childminder anticipates their increasing mobility and makes sure they have secure support as they learn to sit unaided. She provides equipment, such as a suitable highchair so that they can enjoy their food in

p.5

and outcomes for children

comfort as they learn to feed themselves. Praise for their efforts and achievements helps them become more confident and this improves their self-esteem.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder does not have a garden at her premises but ensures that children have plenty of fresh air. Children benefit from a good range of outings to, for example, parks to enjoy the space and play equipment, which offers them extra challenge. They also attend toddler groups at the local Children's Centre where they experience different varieties of activities to home activities. Additionally, they are beginning to learn to socialise with other children and learn to respect each other. The childminder ensures that she helps children to learn about differences within society through age-appropriate discussion and a good range of resources reflecting positive images, such as dolls, books, and posters.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder records children's achievements and activities in individual learning journey record books and in daily diaries. She shares these with parents, who also record milestones in their child's development. As a result, children make steady, continued progress in their development. The childminder ensures that the activities she provides cover children's all round development but does not always note children's attainment on entry across the six areas of learning. This does not allow her to assess how well children are developing in relation to their starting points. However, the observations she records, particularly on physical development, are evaluative, clear and sufficiently detailed to allow her to plan for the next steps in their development in these areas.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good awareness of ensuring children maintain a healthy lifestyle. Children enjoy a range of freshly prepared meals and snacks that promote healthy eating. The childminder understands dietary needs, preferences and works cooperatively with parents of babies to ensure that all the food they provide is prepared appropriately. This allows the children to continue to benefit from their mother's milk and weaning procedures. The childminder ensures children are well hydrated and frequently offers them drinks. They follow good hygiene practices and wash their hands before eating. The childminder ensures that her hygiene procedures reduce the risk of cross infection so everyone remains healthy. When children are tired they rest or sleep according to their individual needs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 3 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

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 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8