Childminder in Barnsley

Inspection report for early years provision

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302708 Unique Reference Number 26 September 2006 Inspection date Carolyn Gifford 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 good. 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 1994. She lives with her husband and one adult son in Goldthorpe near Barnsley. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding nine children, who attend for various days and times.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends play areas and parks. The childminder supports children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 well protected from illness and infection as the childminder promotes good hygiene routines. The childminder encourages children to develop independent skills when managing their personal care. Children have their own towel and show a good understanding of the reasons why they need to wash their hands before food and after toileting. There are good procedures in place for the care of sick children as signs and symptoms of illness are promptly recognised and parents are informed. However, the childminder does not have a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious.

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Helping children to be healthy

A wide range of activities help children to develop confidence and control in their movements and contributes to their general health and well-being. Children are able to develop independent skills as they choose from the readily accessible range of resources, both indoors and out. Regular outings to local parks and play areas, where children have the opportunity to use open spaces, also contributes towards a healthy lifestyle. Children are able to rest or be active according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual details are recorded, which ensures that their needs are met and that parents' wishes are respected. However, the childminder does not have written parental permission to administer first aid or to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy nutritious meals and snacks, which helps them to develop healthy eating habits. Mealtimes are fun, social occasions where children sit and eat together and are encouraged to feed themselves where appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe in the childminder's care as she has effective safety measures in place and a good knowledge of individual children. She gives high priority to maintaining children's safety and helps children to learn to keep themselves safe through clear explanations. For example, children show a good understanding of road safety and are able to describe how they cross roads safely when on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have the opportunity to access a good range of equipment and resources which are appropriate to their age and stage of development. Good organisation of toys and materials at child height enables children to choose independently. This helps to promote confidence and allows children to make informed choices about their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as the childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures. She understands her role and responsibilities and ensures that the safety of children in her care is always a priority.

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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 good. Children are happy and confident in the childminder's care. They make very good progress in all areas of their development because of the childminder's understanding that children learn best when they feel secure and are interested and challenged. The childminder's questioning skills help to extend children's knowledge and understanding, for example, when asking the children to consider why they think white paint doesn't show on white paper.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are actively involved in a wide range of stimulating activities which provide good levels of challenge, appropriate to children's ages and stages of development. Warm and positive relationships between the children and the childminder are evident, which actively contributes to children's feelings of security and sense of trust. Children know they are valued because the childminder shows interest in what they say and do and offers frequent praise and encouragement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Early communication skills are nurtured as the childminder responds to children with smiles, eye contact and by echoing their words. The childminder is using the 'Birth to three matters' framework and encourages younger children to join in activities alongside the older children. For example, when painting and singing repetitive songs and nursery rhymes, the younger children enjoy being included.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concern and have access to a range of resources and materials that promote positive images in all areas of equality of opportunity. Their awareness of the local community and the wider world is enhanced through regular outings, the positive use of books and other resources that positively address diversity. The needs of children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities are met because the childminder has a sound understanding of the importance of adapting activities to ensure all children are included.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder seeks parents' views about their child's preferences and aptitudes and any other information which is required in order to provide good quality care for children. This helps to ensure that children's needs are met well because the childminder takes time to get to know them and work effectively with their parents to ensure daily routines are followed successfully.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are happy and content and show a strong sense of belonging as they confidently and freely move around the childminder's home. The childminder has consistent expectations about acceptable behaviour and her handling of behaviour is developmentally appropriate, respecting individual children's level of understanding and maturity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of childcare and development and a positive regard to the well-being of children. Children are settled and comfortable in the childminder's home and are able to make informed choices about their play and able to express their individual needs.

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Organisation

Parents are kept well informed about their children's achievements and activities when at the childminder's home. Recording systems are used appropriately and most of the required documentation is in place. Effective procedures, which contribute to the organisation of the setting are evident, ensuring that children are cared for in a safe and secure environment.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop the range of multicultural resources to support and develop equal opportunities. There is now a sufficient range of appropriate resources to promote positive images in all areas of equal opportunity. This means that children have access to activities and resources that increase their awareness of diversity and their understanding of others.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints, which parents can see on request. The complaint 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 good. 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): • obtain written parental permission to administer first aid and to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • devise a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious.

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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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