Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY336506 Unique Reference Number 12 October 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 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 2006. She lives with her husband and four children aged eight years, six years, two years and a baby aged one year old. They live in Balby in Doncaster. The areas of the childminder's house used for childminding are the entrance hall, playroom and dining kitchen. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The family has one pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a 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 protected from illness and infection as the childminder promotes good hygiene routines. The childminder's home is clean and well maintained. There is an appropriate procedure in place for changing nappies and for helping older children to manage their own personal hygiene. This helps them to begin to understand the importance of hand washing before eating and after going to the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of illness and has appropriate procedures in place if children are ill whilst at the setting. Arrangements for administering medication meet requirements, and the childminder is in the process of ensuring that she has relevant written parental consents, for example, to administer first aid, which will help to protect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunity to develop physical skills and gain control of their bodies as the childminder ensures there is regular opportunity for children to experience outdoor play. There is a good range of equipment, such as swings and sit and ride toys, to help children increase coordination and balance.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual details are discussed with parents and recorded before children start. This helps to ensure that their needs are met and that parents wishes are respected. Children enjoy nutritious and healthy meals and snacks, which contributes towards them developing healthy eating habits.

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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 there are effective measures in place to identify and minimise potential hazards. The childminder gives priority to maintaining children's safety and helps children to learn to keep themselves safe. For example, when talking to children about road safety, they are encouraged to tell the childminder when they think it is safe to cross the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a sufficient range of good quality toys and play materials, appropriate to their age and stage of development. Good organisation, at child height, gives children the freedom to choose what they want to do, which enables them to develop independent skills, promote confidence and make informed choices about their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected as the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities with regard to child protection, which contributes to safeguarding children's welfare.

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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 settled at the childminder's home and relate well to other children. The childminder interacts appropriately with children, which helps them to develop confidence to explore and investigate their surroundings. Young children respond well to the childminder as she shows interest in what they do and say, which contributes to children's feelings of security and sense of trust.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a range of activities outside the home. They go for walks, attend local playgroups and have the opportunity to mix with children in other settings. They are encouraged to develop confidence to try new things as the childminder provides suitable and challenging experiences. She talks to children about activities and daily routines, which helps them to begin to link words with actions. For example, board books with pictures of familiar everyday objects and routines, give very young children the opportunity to hold and turn pages, which gives them a sense of value and helps them to learn to handle resources appropriately.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Early communication skills are nurtured as the childminder responds with smiles, eye contact and by echoing the words and sounds made by young children. For example, they are able to join in activities and show enjoyment when following actions in repetitive songs, such as clapping hands.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are respected and valued as individuals and their needs are met as the childminder takes time to get to know them well and establish likes and dislikes. Partnership with parents is effective and regular communication ensures they are fully informed about the provision and their child's day. The childminder spends time updating parents on collection of their child and ensures she is always available to talk.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour is generally good as older children are aware of the house rules and boundaries. The childminder offers praise and encouragement, which helps to re-assure and promote children's self-esteem. Although the behaviour management policy does not explicitly state how the childminder manages challenging behaviour in young children, this is discussed with parents before their children start.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children show good levels of independence, curiosity and imagination, which is encouraged by being able to freely access resources. However, the range of resources promoting positive images in all areas of equality of opportunity is limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although the childminder has not had experience of caring for children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities, she has a good understanding of the areas for consideration. This helps to ensure that the needs of all children attending would continue to be met.

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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 is generally effective in organising the childminding to support children's care, learning and play. The informal approach to the planning of activities, which is flexible, meets the children's individual needs and fits around the daily routine, for example, school runs and playgroup.

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Organisation

Children receive the care and attention they need to feel secure, and the childminder ensures that throughout the day children can rest or be active according to their needs. Space and furniture in the home are organised so that activities can be provided for children of different ages and stages of development.

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Organisation

The childminder has relevant policies and procedures, which contribute to an effective childcare service, although some of theses do need expanding. This will then ensure that parents are clear regarding the expectations of the children and the childminder. All required documentation is in evidence and readily available to parents.

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Organisation

There are good procedures in place to ensure that information is shared with parents on a daily basis. Parents are aware of the procedure to follow if they have a concern or complaint.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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 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):

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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 • ensure that children have access to an appropriate range of equipment, which reflects positive images of culture, gender and disability.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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