Childminder in Rotherham

Inspection report for early years provision

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501536 Unique Reference Number 11 December 2006 Inspection date Lynn Rodgers 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children, aged 10 and 13 years, in an extended semi-detached house in the residential area of Wath-upon-Dearne, in Rotherham. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, plus the upstairs bathroom and two of the three bedrooms. 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding six children under five, part time, and seven children over five, before and after school. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local playgroup. The family have a pet hamster. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding network.

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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. The childminder encourages children to learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well organised activities and daily routines. All children are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet, before they handle food and when they have accessed creative play. Younger children's hands are wiped by the childminder after nappy changing and before they partake in any foods. All areas where food is prepared are kept very clean and tidy and the childminder has established her own routines for food preparation. For example, she cleans surfaces, washes her own hands before and after preparation and ensures food storage is appropriate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from infection because the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of health related matters. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate and has obtained the necessary consent from parents to administer emergency first aid treatment. She has clear, effective procedures for dealing with sick children, thereby limiting the possibility of cross-infection. Parents are verbally notified of her health and hygiene and sickness policies, at the initial visit.

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Helping children to be healthy

A well balanced diet ensures children benefit from healthy eating, with good examples of variation to encourage children to try a wide range of foods and eat healthily. Parents' wishes are respected and the childminder records children's allergies and dietary requirements. Children's preferences are taken into account and they are encouraged to try new foods during baking sessions and food tasting.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of energetic activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. For example, large motor skills are developed through physical play and sports games. They are able to rest or be active according to their needs. The childminder helps children to develop self-confidence in their physical skills with the provision of a wide range of indoor and outdoor equipment and toys. The 'Birth to three matters' framework is part of her daily routine and she ensures all children benefit from her knowledge to promote the strong and healthy child. For example, they enjoy a close relationship with the childminder and her own family and are able to express feelings, such as joy and happiness through the provision of appropriate toys and activities to promote stimulation and development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a good range of safety measures, such as safety gates, socket covers, fire fighting equipment and a fully secure outdoor play area. They are happy and settled in the setting, which is warm and welcoming, and they contribute to the development of safety routines. For example, they tidy away the toys that they have finished with and follow the childminder's good examples. However, the fire blanket is not appropriately sighted and fixed in place in the kitchen area.

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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 The childminder takes all reasonable steps to keep children safe and promote their well-being, for example, daily checks for any danger or hazards and broken toys. Children are familiar with routines for removing outdoor clothing and know which areas of the home they can access. The childminder ensures the children are fully supervised and records all details of the authorised persons collecting the children. She takes her mobile telephone with her on outings to enable her to call parents quickly if an emergency occurs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good level of awareness of current information regarding child protection, which ensures that she can act in the best interests of the children. She has attended child protection training and this enables her to act upon any concerns she may have about a child in her care. However, she does not have the necessary documentation to record details of any concerns about a child in her care. She would act quickly to prevent a child from further suffering by reporting concerns to the appropriate authority. She is confident to talk to parents about any concerns she may have in a sensitive way.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder is familiar with the 'Birth to three matters' framework, and examples are used effectively to enhance the provision. For example, the childminder uses the guidance to help her to plan appropriate activities for the younger children to help them grow and develop naturally and become competent learners. They learn to sort out shapes and jigsaw pieces, matching them to the correct places they should fit into.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Resources and equipment are organised and used well. This means children have access to exciting, stimulating, age-appropriate activities to enhance their overall development. They are motivated to learn and explore. Activities provide interest to the children and good levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development. For example, the childminder encourages children's creativity through the provision of good materials and varied stimuli, such as dough and collage materials. They experience creative activities, some on a seasonal theme, such as Christmas, making cards and writing letters to Santa.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged through lots of praise and enjoy a warm, caring relationship with the childminder and show increasing confidence as they communicate with others. They become creative as they explore, discover, use shapes, construction and imaginative play to express their feelings. Children enjoy using the good selection of outdoor equipment for jumping, skipping and climbing which develops their gross motor skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a positive attitude to others and gain a good understanding of appropriate behaviour through constant praise and encouragement. They are highly valued as individuals and learn to take turns and share. Strategies used to safely manage children's behaviour are appropriate and children are familiar with the rules of the house. The individual needs of all of the children who attend are well met and they behave well through clear guidance and good

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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 examples set by the childminder and her family. They begin to understand right from wrong through consistent boundaries and explanations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good awareness of promoting equality of opportunity through the provision of toys and resources reflecting diversity. The children are treated as individuals with equal concern, and she is fair in her judgements and meets children's needs very well. No gender based activities are offered and all children have access to all play situations and resources reflecting the multicultural world we live in. She values all children equally, recognises their similarities and differences and respects the richness and diversity that the children and their families bring with them. She challenges racism, sexism and derogatory remarks, and explains to children that all children are welcome, and that they can access all toys and resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good. Daily verbal communication and shared information ensures they are fully conversant with the provision and what their child has been doing. The childminder takes time to explain things thoroughly and makes sure she is available to discuss any worries or queries with a parent. Parents are fully informed of the procedure to follow should they wish to make a complaint. She is committed to promoting quality care for children where they can thrive and develop naturally. The parents' information file is available and contains many written policies and procedures to enhance her organisation skills.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Documents are stored safely out of reach and relevant information is verbally shared with parents. The childminder is well organised and has her documentation up to date and available for inspection. She has a comprehensive parents' file to show new parents, which includes relevant policies and procedures. Parents are aware of the procedure to follow if they wish to make a complaint. However, although her daily register is up-to-date, it does not clearly show the times of children's arrival and departure.

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Organisation

Children are kept safe and secure through careful supervision and very good safety measures. The home is very welcoming, well maintained and child friendly and precautions are taken to prevent accidents. For example, most required safety measures have been taken and daily risk assessments are carried out before children arrive and after they leave. The childminder ensures children are only released to the authorised persons collecting them and she has their details on file. Parents' telephones number are logged in her mobile phone to enable her to call them quickly when required.

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Organisation

Daily routines are in place which can be rearranged to meet the changing needs of the children cared for and are flexible enough to allow diversity and time for children to input their ideas and preferences. The childminder organises and effectively plans activities to ensure children are stimulated and have lots of fun. She has completed some relevant courses, conducive to good childminding practices, for example, 'Birth to three matters' and child protection training. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain written parental permission to take photographs of the minded children and to request parental permission to use plasters as part of her first aid treatment. The childminder has put together a complete list of items that require written parental permission. This means she is well organised, has given careful thought to what is required and meets the National Standards very well, thereby protecting children from harm.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004, 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.

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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 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 the fire blanket is appropriately fixed in place • devise and implement a suitable method for recording any incidents regarding safeguarding children • record the times of children's arrival and departure.

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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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