Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY349544 Inspection date 29/03/2012 Inspector Tara Street

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and 11 years in the Rothwell area of Leeds, West Yorkshire. Premises are accessible via two small steps to the back door. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom is used for childminding and there is a fully-enclosed garden for outside play. Care is offered Monday to Friday on a part and full-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time; of these, two may be in the early years age group. The childminder is currently minding two children under eight years, both of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder drives and walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support from the local authority. The childminder attends the local playgroups and meets regularly with other childminders as part of the local network.

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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 settled in the friendly, welcoming and inclusive environment. Good levels of support are provided to ensure all children have opportunities to make progress in their learning and development. Overall, observation and assessment systems are used effectively to track children's progress. Most records, policies and procedures are implemented effectively to safeguard and promote children's welfare. Positive relationships are formed with parents, carers and others to promote the best outcomes for children. The childminder constantly evaluates her practice and is committed to providing high quality childcare; consequently, the capacity to maintain continuous improvement is good.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further systems of assessment so that children's progress can be tracked and information used to inform planning  carry out regular fire drills and record details in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe environment. The childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibility concerning safeguarding. As a result, children's safety and well-being are ensured. All suitability checks have been completed for household members. Good procedures are in place for the recording of accidents, incidents and existing injuries children arrive with. Risk assessments are carried out regularly and the childminder conducts visual daily safety checks before children arrive to ensure that the environment is suitable. However, regular evacuation drills are not carried out to ensure that all children are sufficiently familiar with the routine for keeping themselves safe in an emergency. Toys, resources and equipment are plentiful, of high quality and kept in clean, safe storage.

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the early years provision

Equality and diversity is promoted throughout all aspects of the setting. Relationships with parents and carers are good, as the childminder keeps them fully informed on a daily basis of their children's progress and welfare. This happens verbally, with written diary sheets and activity updates stored in each child's 'Friday bag' and by sharing children's learning journey records. The childminder has a secure understanding of the advantages of liaising with other professionals to meet children's individual needs. In addition, she has made good links with the local schools and a nursery class and demonstrates a good understanding of the benefits of sharing relevant information with other practitioners to ensure continuity and cohesion.

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the early years provision

The childminder clearly demonstrates she has the capacity to tackle priorities and has identified key areas to improve outcomes for children. She effectively evaluates her practice to ensure the needs of those attending are well met. Within the self-evaluation process, the childminder welcomes any feedback from parents, carers, children and other professionals. This contributes to promoting an inclusive environment.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder clearly demonstrates a good understanding of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage and implements it successfully. She knows the children very well and clearly discusses their progress towards the early learning goals. Activities are planned, taking into account their interests and capabilities. Individual learning journeys include photographs and observations, detailing experiences children have enjoyed. However, systems to track children's progress within their learning journey records are not well established as an effective tool for assessment.

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and outcomes for children

Practical, worthwhile daily activities provide good opportunities for the children to develop skills in each of the areas of learning. For example, children enjoy creating This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and decorating their own musical shakers with rice and pasta before using them during a singing and dancing session. They are confident and very well settled with the childminder. Children's behaviour is good and they demonstrate a strong sense of belonging. They develop a sensitive awareness of diversity and an understanding of the needs of others. This is achieved through a range of activities and resources, which promote a positive outlook of the wider world. Children's communication skills are fostered well, resulting in good interactions between themselves and the childminder. A wide range of good quality books is readily available to children. They love looking at these and the childminder uses them

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and outcomes for children

well to support children's learning. Children are gaining confidence in using numbers and solving problems in their play. For example, they enjoy threading games and building with construction materials. Effective use is made of the local area giving children a breadth of opportunities. Examples of this are where they visit the local parks, shops, library, activity centres, museums, playgroups and music class sessions. A wide variety of creative activities, including gluing, sticking, painting and creating collage pictures with objects the children have to helped collect, promote children's self-expression whilst having fun. Children develop and test their physical skills through engaging in a wide range of stimulating, daily indoor and outdoor experiences. For example, children eagerly ride on wheeled vehicles, play on the swing, slide and see saw. They confidently use water, paint brushes and animals stencils to decorate the floor and walls, explore the role play

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and outcomes for children

vets and play with the bubble machine. In this way, they effectively develop skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate a good sense of security in the childminding environment. They are effectively learning to keep themselves safe, for example, using equipment safely and how to behave when on outings. The childminder actively manages a good balance of meeting parental wishes and encouraging healthy food options, such as fresh fruit and vegetables. Opportunities to plant and nurture strawberries and raspberries enhance good lifestyle habits. Children show a clear understanding of the importance of following good personal hygiene routines and are becoming increasingly independent in their personal care. 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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