Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 321896 Inspection date 31/07/2012 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 1983. She lives in Normanton, West Yorkshire. All downstairs rooms in the home are used for childminding and the bathroom is on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, three of whom may be in the early years age range. There are currently seven children on roll in this age group.

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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 friendly, welcoming and inclusive environment. The childminder respects each child and values their individuality. Children progress well, overall, towards the early learning goals, supported by positive relationships with the childminder. Good partnerships are established with all parents to support children's welfare, and the childminder understands the need to link with others to enhance opportunities for children's learning and development. Effective systems evaluate the quality of the provision, with the views of service users regularly sought. Recommendations and actions from the last inspection have been fully addressed and have improved outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the deployment of resources and help children develop skills for the future, for example, by encouraging them to help tidy away resources after use  improve ways in which all adults who interact with each child can contribute to the observation and assessment process with their own information, to enhance opportunities for children's learning and development.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded through the childminder ensuring their close supervision and helping them to be aware of how to keep themselves safe. She introduces children to visitors so that they feel assured in the presence of an unfamiliar adult. The childminder has updated her knowledge through training to give her a good understanding of what to do in the event of a safeguarding concern or allegation, and all necessary contact numbers are easily accessible. Risk assessments are carried out to ensure hazards are minimised and secure measures are in place to ensure children may only be collected by those authorised. Documentation is up This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to date and filed confidentially.

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the early years provision

A good range of resources are accessible to ensure children progress well towards the early learning goals in all areas. Children freely choose what they want to play with and whether they would like to be indoors or outdoors. However, they are not always encouraged to tidy away and this can mean resources become muddled up and not always effectively used. Children learn about equality and diversity through play activities, and the childminder promotes positive discussion that helps them to understand the needs of others. All children are included fairly and the childminder recognises that every child has different abilities and qualities, treating each of them with equal respect and concern.

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the early years provision

Relationships between the childminder and parents support children's individual needs. Communication takes place verbally as part of the daily routine. Parents regularly discuss all aspects of their children's care with the childminder and they express their satisfaction at the quality of the provision. For example, parents say the childminder offers 'a positive, happy environment' and 'she encourages children to be themselves'. Parents say she is 'a great and reliable childminder' who 'is very good at what she does'. The childminder is flexible to meet the needs of the parents, offering hours of care to suit their working patterns.

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the early years provision

The childminder chats with staff in other early years settings that children attend and is aware of the need to forge links in order to support their welfare and enhance their learning and development. She has made strides in driving improvement since her last inspection and has updated her professional knowledge through training. She effectively highlights strengths and areas to develop and is enthusiastic about improving outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder follows children's interests to plan a range of activities that enable them to learn through play. For example, they show an interest in balls and she makes a wide range of different types available for indoor and outdoor play. Older children develop skills in throwing and catching and using bats and clubs, while younger children roll around in the ball pool. Children's development and observations, that link to the areas of learning, are recorded in their individual profile and learning journey. However, parents and other professionals do not yet have opportunities to add to these with their own information.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident in the setting and they exercise choice and independence. A good balance of child-led and adult-initiated activities support children's learning. Lots of conversation and chatter with children promotes their language development. Very young children's communication is understood by the childminder, who skilfully interprets their non-verbal cues. For example, they bring their coat and the childminder helps to facilitate outdoor play. Children are learning how to use books for pleasure or for information. For example, younger children enjoy sitting on the childminder's knee and help to turn the pages and identify characters in stories. They count objects in other books and the childminder helps This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them to identify numerals, developing their mathematical knowledge. Children count as they catch butterflies in a game and they learn social skills from each

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and outcomes for children

other as they take turns. Children's imagination is developing well as they engage in role play, pretending to prepare food, such as toast. Children explore the wider world through planned outings with the childminder, such as visits to local places and the seaside. They enjoy remembering past events and their friends as they look at photographs with the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Suitable procedures are in place that support children's health and well-being. For example, they are reminded to follow personal hygiene routines and know how to keep themselves healthy. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure individual dietary needs are met. Children eat healthy snacks, such as fruit, and they access their drinks at any time as these are kept on view. They enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise in the childminder's garden and on outings further afield, such as parks and play areas. Children learn about the foods enjoyed in different countries as the childminder prepares different dishes for them to try.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a calm and patient approach, encouraging children to get along together, take turns and use their manners. Positive language, used in all interaction with the children, ensures they feel valued, special and good about themselves. The childminder speaks respectfully to children and manages mixed ages of children well, dividing her time up fairly so each child has individual attention for their needs. Children show care and concern for each other and they know how to behave safely. For example, older children explain that small objects must be kept away from babies 'in case they choke on them'. 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 3 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 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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