Childminder in Kirklees

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY442336 Inspection date 20/07/2012 Inspector Rachel Ayo

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 2012. She lives with her partner and two children aged six and two years in the Holmfirth area of Huddersfield in West Yorkshire. There are schools, shops, parks and public transport links in the local area. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom of the property is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools, nurseries and pre-schools.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She 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 is currently one child attending in this age group on a full-time basis.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a childcare qualification at level 3.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy as they explore a bright and welcoming environment in which space is organised well to meet their individual needs. Their welfare is promoted very successfully overall and systems for individualised observational assessment are effective in most aspects. Consequently, children are supported in making good progress in their learning and development and take part in a varied and interesting curriculum. There is good partnership working with parents overall to ensure inclusion and the childminder is appropriately aware of developing links with providers where children attend other settings. Good progress has been made since registration and the childminder targets areas for future development well, in order to continue to enhance outcomes for children.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 improve partnership working in order to find out what children know and can do when they first attend, with particular regard to their learning and development  obtain written parental permission for children to take part in outings. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder is fully aware of how to safeguard children. She is able to identify possible signs of child abuse or neglect and has a good knowledge of the reporting procedures to follow. Risk assessments are effective in identifying and minimising hazards to keep children safe indoors, outdoors and on outings. A visit from the fire service enhances the procedures for keeping children safe in the event of an emergency. Documentation is well organised and maintained in line with requirements to promote the efficient and safe management of the setting and to meet the needs of the children.

p.5

the early years provision

Parents are generally encouraged to share what they know about their child before placement in order for children's individual needs to be met. She is clearly aware of children's interests and these are considered well within her provision. A varied range of resources depict diversity positively. As a result, children are developing a good awareness of the similarities and differences between themselves and others. Parents are well informed about the service before their child commences, although written consent to take children on outings is not obtained. A diary and notice board provides parents with a good range of information on a regular basis. For example, the weekly theme is displayed along with the menu and the daily diary reflects care routines. They are well informed about their child's development and are actively encouraged to support their child's next steps and share new achievements that are observed at home.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of external resources to enhance her provision and as part of her good systems for self-evaluation she shares ideas with other practitioners. She has developed her own business plan and training log to monitor the provision and identify key priorities for improvement. These include, attending training on the revised Early Years Foundation Stage, devising parent questionnaires and developing the outdoors. Children's opinions are valued and the childminder has begun to compile a 'What shall we play with today' photograph album in order for children to choose something not already set out. Parents are encouraged to share their views about the service verbally through friendly daily conversations at the beginning and end of each day. Letters from parents reflect positive comments about the service.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children display good levels of confidence and self-esteem as a result of positive relationships with the childminder. They have a positive approach to learning and are supported well in developing good habits as active and inquisitive individuals. An accessible environment enables them to become independent learners and the child-centred play room, created in the conservatory, is vibrant and interesting. For example, role play areas reflect parents' jobs, there are labelled resource drawers and displays, and posters and photographs adorn the walls. There are generally good systems in place for observing children, assessing their development and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 planning for their next steps. However, the systems in place to establish children's starting points when they first attend are less effective.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children's learning with effective interaction and questioning. As children roll cars and balls down cardboard tubes in the lounge the childminder introduces mathematical language, such as fast and slow. Children are clearly developing an understanding of different concepts of mathematics as they spontaneously talk about the big bottle of water and recognise that if they have another yoghurt this makes two. Children's early literacy skills are supported well. The environment is rich in print and they show good fine motor skills as they use crayons and a glue stick to create their 'Olympic medal' collage. They ascribe meanings to their marks as they talk about the spider they are drawing. Children's interest in simple technology is fostered well, including them having access to objects, such as telephones and remote controls. They are developing a good awareness of behavioural boundaries as a result of positive reinforcement from the

p.6

and outcomes for children

childminder. Discussions during a visit from the Fire Safety Officers, for instance, effectively help them to learn about dangers and staying safe.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children take part in many indoor and outdoor physical activities to help them stay healthy. The childminder asks if they can crawl under and step over the cardboard tubes. As they become a little breathless she helps them develop an understanding of the changes that happen to their bodies. For example, she says, 'You will be getting all hot and sweaty doing all this exercise. Are you building up your appetite for lunch?' Children have free-flow access to the garden, weather permitting and the area is developing well to encourage exploration and investigation. For example, there are fence-mounted baskets filled with nature objects, such as, pine cones and plastic guttering to roll things down. The childminder models and encourages generally good hygiene practices. Children show they are clearly aware of the need to wash their hands before lunch as they learn about healthy lifestyles.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's all round good health is promoted effectively. They are provided with a wide variety of home cooked meals and snacks which are well planned in advance to ensure a balanced and nutritious diet. Mealtimes are very sociable and children readily make choices from a selection of fruit and vegetables to accompany their wholemeal pitta bread with cheese. Their understanding of a healthy lifestyle is further reinforced through activities, such as healthy fruit and vegetable tasting and they manage their own hydration as they each have their own labelled bottle of water. 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 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

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