Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY440232 Inspection date 29/06/2012 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 was registered in 2012. She lives with her partner and two year old child in the Ossett area of Wakefield. All of the ground floor, the bathroom and back bedroom on the first floor of the property are used for childminding purposes. There is one step to reach the entrance. The family keep rabbits as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has completed the required childminding training.

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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 well cared for in a safe, homely and inclusive environment. They enjoy a good range of experiences which successfully promotes their learning and development across all areas. Positive and supportive relationships are established with parents and the childminder is aware of the benefits of establishing links with others to enhance learning and development opportunities for children. Systems are developing so that the childminder can monitor the effectiveness of the provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the system for self-evaluation, to assess the quality of the provision in order to target areas of improvement.

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the early years provision

Stringent safeguarding procedures ensure children's safety is given high priority and they are well protected from harm. The childminder is proactive in developing her knowledge of child safety, seeking relevant training to help her identify and minimise hazards. She fully understands what to do in the event of a child protection concern or allegation, and all necessary contact numbers are readily accessible. Detailed risk assessments are regularly reviewed to ensure children play safely at all times and children are thoroughly supervised. All records, policies and procedures are efficiently organised and are very effective in supporting the childminder's service.

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the early years provision

A good range of resources are accessible to ensure children make good progress This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 towards the early learning goals in all areas. Children freely choose what they need, demonstrating choice and independence. Positive and varied images that reflect diversity are used well to give children good opportunities to learn about similarities and differences. The childminder skilfully organises her time to ensure children receive plenty of individual attention, giving them confidence and self- assurance in their play.

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the early years provision

Positive, flexible relationships between the childminder and parents support children's individual welfare, learning and development needs well. Communication is effective and written consent is in place for all aspects of children's care. The childminder shares key information with parents in their 'end of day report' and they have daily opportunities to chat about children's progress and well-being. Parents may view their children's development records at any time, which give a lovely illustration of children's time in the childminder's care. Parents have good opportunities to add to their children's development records with comments about their child for the childminder to build upon. Parents comment that the childminder is 'easy to communicate with' and they 'always feel at ease'. They appreciate the photo messages the childminder sends to update them about their child. Parents say their child 'doesn't want to come home' and they give praise for the attention

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the early years provision

their children receive. Parents describe the childminder as 'brilliant' and say they are 'very happy'.

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the early years provision

The childminder knows the importance of establishing links with other Early Years settings that children attend in order to maximise opportunities for them to learn, when this is relevant to children in her care. She is committed to improving outcomes for children and seeks out relevant training to enhance her role. Self- evaluation systems are not yet robust enough to accurately identify targets for improvement and the childminder is modest in assessing her strengths, although she seeks feedback from parents to help her assess the quality of the provision.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and happy in the childminder's care as they confidently make themselves at home, exploring all areas and selecting their own resources. Children enjoy supportive relationships with the childminder, giving them a secure foundation for their learning and development. A good balance of child-led and adult-initiated activities supports children's learning well and the childminder has an accurate knowledge of their individual stage of development, interests and personality. They learn effective skills in communication as the childminder chats with them throughout all aspects of their care, learning and development. For example, she involves very young children in making decisions and helps them to recognise their own needs, such as when to have their bottle of milk or nappy changed. Children show high levels of curiosity as they examine objects of interest, such as home-made shaker bottles and they learn that these make different

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and outcomes for children

sounds. Children explore through their senses and they learn about the different textures of objects in the treasure basket and the childminder introduces new vocabulary, such as 'fluffy' and 'soft' to help children describe what they feel. Children develop their language skills further through the repetition of action This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 rhymes, such as 'row, row, row your boat' and they join in excitedly with one another. The childminder uses daily opportunities so that children learn mathematical skills. For example, she counts with children as they eat their snack and they learn the concept of 'more'.

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and outcomes for children

Good procedures are in place that support children's health and well-being. Fresh air and exercise is part of the children's daily routine and they enjoy walks and visiting local places of interest, such as parks. Healthy eating is well promoted as children enjoy varied, nutritious snacks and meals. For example, children enjoy apples and grapes at snack time and help themselves to their own drinks. The childminder consults with parents to ensure individual dietary needs are met. Children are secure in their routine and the childminder follows their lead for eating and sleeping, promoting their health in individual ways. Reminders and high levels of support help very young children remain aware of safety as they play, such as taking care when learning to stand up. Children learn how to stay safe effectively, as they practise emergency evacuations, listening for the childminder's whistle.

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and outcomes for children

Positive strategies are used to motivate children to behave well and they respond well to the continuous praise and encouragement given to them. The childminder has a calm disposition and uses positive language with friendly facial expressions when engaging with children, distracting young children when behaviour is unwanted. This approach enables children to feel secure and confident. The childminder divides her time up very well so that each child feels valued and included and enjoys good levels of attention for their needs. 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 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 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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