Childminder in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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300647 Unique Reference Number 16 August 2006 Inspection date Angela Howard Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and 12 years. They live in Waterthorpe, a large suburb on the outskirts of Sheffield. The whole of the ground floor, plus one bedroom on the first floor of the premises are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She currently has nine children on roll, of which five children are under eight years. The childminder walks to take and collect children from the local school. She meets regularly with local childminders.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment. Good hygiene practice is reinforced in every day routines. For example, children are encouraged to take care of their own personal hygiene, such as washing of hands after using the toilet and before eating. This effectively reduces the risk of cross infection. Documentation is in place for administering medication and managing accidents. However, the information recorded is not always consistent with the National Standards. For example, parent's signatures are not always obtained.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision of healthy, nutritious and well balanced snacks and meals ensures children are appropriately nourished. Drinks are easily accessed and dietary requirements are met at all times. Therefore, children are beginning to understand the importance of a healthy diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy access to a reasonable range of physical activities, which contributes to their good health. They learn the importance of exercise as they join in free-play and organised activities. For example, they can freely access balls, ride on toys and buggies, they join in obstacle courses devised by themselves or the childminder and thoroughly enjoy playing a game called 'beat the clock'. This results in children developing a positive attitude towards exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe environment. The home is child friendly and potential hazards around the home have been addressed. For example, socket covers and safety gates are in place and there are no low level ornaments or trailing wires. This allows children to move around freely and safely. Children are appropriately supervised at all times. The childminder uses clear explanations and discussion to teach them about keeping themselves safe within the home and outside. For example, the introduction of road safety procedures enables children to identify the appropriate steps to take when crossing the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Appropriate fire precautions are in place. For instance, fire exits are clear of obstructions, smoke alarms are in working order and the fire evacuation plan is occasionally practised. However, the fire blanket is not appropriately sited.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Equipment and toys are of good condition and are suitable for the age range of children attending. They are easily accessed allowing children to make choice in a safe manner. The toys and equipment are carefully monitored to make sure they remain safe and appropriate for the children's ages and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an appropriate understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse. She is aware of the responsibility to protect children. Therefore, children's welfare is adequately safeguarded. However, she does not have the most recent child protection procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy being in the warm and caring environment. There are warm and affectionate relationships between the children, childminder and her children. As a result, children are happy and settled. They communicate with each other effectively. They are creative as they explore, investigate and use imaginative play to express their feelings. For example, when playing with the dolls house and farm, they share the babies high chair, take turns to visit the farm, use the bus and communicate their ideas and on what they will do next successfully. They are learning appropriate social skills, play harmoniously and have formed positive relationships.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are interested in the activities on offer. They are fully occupied throughout the morning playing imaginatively with the dolls house, farms, cars and road mat. They are exited about doing hot beads or a sticking activity later in the day. Therefore, children's creative and imaginative development is extended and they are sufficiently challenged.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder treats all children with equal concern, values their individuality and meets their needs appropriately. This is because she takes time to get to know the children and is sensitive to their feelings and fears. This results in children having a strong sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's awareness of the local community is promoted appropriately through regular outings to the local carer groups and local places of interest, such as country parks and soft play areas. Children have equal access to all resources, which are not gender stereotyped. They are beginning to learn about the wider world through the use of books, small role play people and dolls that positively address diversity. Children confidently discuss their backgrounds, differences and similarities. For example, they discuss their skin colour and colour of dolls they are playing with. This results in children developing self-confidence and a healthy self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and polite towards each other. A clear and consistent approach to managing children's behaviour effectively encourages them to behave well. They learn right from wrong in a warm and caring environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents and carers are suitably informed of their child's care as the childminder shares information verbally on a daily basis. They receive appropriate written information and all regulatory documentation is in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and at ease in their surroundings. The home is sufficiently well-organised to ensure children can initiate their own play. This helps then to develop their confidence and extend their own play are learning. Children are clearly happy and settled in the environment, which contributes to their overall well-being.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Documentation is kept in a well-organised manner and confidentiality is maintained at all times. The childminder has an acceptable knowledge of the National Standards for childminders. However, she has failed to comply with the requirement to notify Ofsted of any significant changes. Ofsted have not been notified of changes to adults residing in the household. As a result, no checks have been completed on the childminder's new husband to determine his suitability to have access to the children. This is a clear breach of regulations.

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Organisation

Required adult to child ratios are met; this provides appropriate levels of care and supervision to ensure children are appropriately supported in their learning and care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • improve documentation with regards to administering medication and the recording of accidents • obtain up-to-date child protection guidance and procedures • ensure the fire blanket is appropriately sited • notify Ofsted of any significant changes or events.

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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