Childminder in Rotherham

Inspection report for early years provision

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302895 Unique Reference Number 02 August 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 1997. She lives with her husband at Thorpe Hesley in Rotherham. The whole of the ground floor 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 drives to local schools to take and collect children, and takes them to the library and to the local park. She is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding eight children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties or disabilities and is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder has two dogs.

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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 good. Children's health and dietary needs are met well as the childminder works effectively with parents and shares information daily about all aspects of the children's day. Children have the opportunity to choose what they want to eat from a range of healthy and nutritious foods, which helps them to develop healthy eating habits.

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Helping children to be healthy

Younger children are able to join in activities with confidence as the childminder is beginning to utilise the 'Birth to three matters' framework. The childminder provides opportunities for younger children to make choices without overwhelming them, for example, asking if they prefer water or juice to drink. Mealtimes are happy, social occasions where children sit together, chatter and have the opportunity to develop independent feeding skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contributes to their general health and well-being. As children become increasingly aware of the way activity affects their bodies, the childminder ensures that there is provision for fluid intake and the opportunity for rest and relaxation.

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Helping children to be healthy

The simple, good health and hygiene practices encourage children to learn about healthy living and the children's clear understanding of hygiene helps to reduce the risk of infection. Children are encouraged to develop independent skills when attending to their personal needs, such as hand washing and going to the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Relevant written parental consents are in evidence, which helps to ensure the continued health and safety of young children.

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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 and secure environment, where most potential hazards are identified and minimised. For example, safety gates, socket covers, smoke alarms and a fully enclosed outdoor play area means that children are able to move around safely and freely. However, the fire blanket was still in the cellophane wrapper at the time of the inspection and not secured in position in the kitchen, which means that the safety of children is compromised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy a good balance between the freedom to explore, and the childminder's setting of safe limits, as the childminder actively encourages children to be aware of their own safety and how to avoid accidents. For example, the introduction of road safety procedures when off the premises and the clear explanations given to children about safe practice indoors, means that children can learn what to do in safe surroundings. Good supervision and the opportunity for role play activities leads to active discussion between the childminder and the children, which helps the learning process.

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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 Quality resources are easily accessible and appropriate for the age and stage of development of the children attending. Good organisation of toys and materials at child height enables children to choose independently at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and is clear with parents about her role, which contributes to safeguarding the welfare of children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and thoroughly enjoy the time they spend in the childminder's care. They spend their time purposefully and have access to interesting and stimulating activities, which provide good levels of challenge. Children are helped to try new skills and develop existing ones as the childminder offers praise and encouragement, and values all of their attempts and achievements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are highly valued because the childminder shows interest in what they say and do, listens to them and responds positively. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, which means that younger children are able to participate in activities adapted to meet their needs. Children are able to independently access a good range of toys, appropriate to their age and stage of development as resources and equipment are organised very well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder involves herself in children's play, encourages problem solving and helps children to extend their language skills and use of vocabulary by asking open questions. For example, children are able to happily re-tell known stories, using pictures as prompts, and are able to predict and anticipate what will happen next in the story as the childminder asks appropriate questions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children show a strong sense of belonging as they are warmly welcomed into the childminder's home. They are comfortable and at ease in the familiar environment, where they can move around freely and choose what they want to do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is caring and sensitive to individual children's needs. For example, she is very aware of the changes in some children's behaviour as they progress through different stages of their development and manages this well. Children's behaviour is good and reflects the clear boundaries they are given. The childminder is consistent in her approach to behaviour management and gives children clear explanations why certain behaviours are not acceptable.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children begin to learn about diversity through their play, which is supported by appropriate resources that promote positive images in all areas of equality of opportunity. The childminder respects and values similarities and differences and meets children's needs through effective partnership with parents. Parents wishes are respected and the childminder takes time to get

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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 to know what is important to them and their children, which contributes to children's general welfare.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shares important information about the children's activities and progress via daily verbal communication, which helps to promote continuity of care. There are effective daily routines in place, with flexibility built in, so that children can follow their own daily patterns. This helps children to feel secure and at ease in their surroundings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has experience of caring for children who have learning difficulties and disabilities and ensures that activities are adapted as necessary to enable all children to fully participate.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of childcare and development and a positive regard to the well-being of children. Space and resources are well organised to give children choice and space to move around and safely explore the environment.

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Organisation

The childminder follows individual care routines, after discussion with parents, which actively promotes children's welfare, care and development. The childminder is enthusiastic and committed to improving her practice through relevant training opportunities.

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Organisation

Required documentation is in place and the childminder maintains a portfolio, which includes all of the relevant policies and procedures. This contributes to promoting children's health, safety, enjoyment and ability to make a positive contribution.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to take action regarding obtaining written parental permission to transport children in a vehicle and obtaining written parental permission before administering medication to children. There is evidence to show that the childminder has complied with these actions, which helps to safeguard children's health and welfare.

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Improvements since the last inspection

It was also recommended at the last inspection that the childminder ensure that all documentation is updated when recording accidents and the administration of medication. There is evidence to show that all such records are now kept up to date, which helps to safeguard children's welfare.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Some other recommendations made at the last inspection relate to obtaining written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, to administer first aid, to take photographs of minded children and for children to have contact with the dogs. The childminder now has written parental permission for all the aforementioned, which also helps to safeguard children's health and welfare.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 A number of other recommendations refer to documentary procedures, such as ensuring that parents sign the attendance record, that details of discussions with parents about behaviour management strategies are recorded and that the role of Ofsted is included in the child protection statement. The childminder has complied with these recommendations and has evidence to show this, which helps to promote the general well- being of children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Some of the recommendations refer to health and safety issues, such as ensuring that external doors are kept locked, that the wooden planks in the rear garden are inaccessible to children and that the first aid box is appropriately stocked. The childminder now complies with these recommendations, which helps to ensure the continued health and safety of young children. The childminder now also records relevant detail about children's dietary needs, including any allergies, which contributes to ensuring children's good health.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Concerns were raised in relation to Standard 2. An unannounced visit was carried out by a childcare inspector on 04/01/2005. Three actions were raised to ensure the provider complied with National Standards. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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): • ensure that a fire blanket, which conforms to BS EN standards, is readily available in the kitchen.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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