Childminder in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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300292 Unique Reference Number 28 September 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 1998. She lives with her husband who is also a registered childminder and her two children aged 13 and 16 years in a semi-detached home in a suburb of Sheffield. The whole of the ground floor plus two bedrooms and first floor bathroom are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available 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 five children under five both full or part time and nine children over five, before and after school. She works with her husband who is co-childminder and together they care for a maximum of six children. Currently they have 14 children on roll. Both childminders have joint responsibility for the childminding practice. The childminder walks or drives to the local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local play groups and is a member of the local childminding network. The family has two dogs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminders 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 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, when they have been outdoors, on walks and if they have been with the family pets. Younger children's hands are wiped by the childminder after nappy changing and before they partake in any foods. Children are encouraged to be responsible for themselves and dispose of tissues and wipes appropriately.

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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 or treatment. She has clear, effective procedures for dealing with sick children, thereby limiting the possibility of cross-infection. She ensures nappies are disposed of correctly and wears gloves and aprons during changing times.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good knowledge of nutrition and plans a varied menu for the children, which is both healthy and appetising. A very well balanced diet ensures children benefit from healthy eating and the childminder encourages 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 and food tasting sessions.

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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 to develop both gross and fine manipulative skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder is knowledgeable and takes all reasonable steps to keep children safe and promote their well-being. For example, daily checks for any danger or hazards are carried out after children leave and prior to their arrivals. Children know when to ask for help because they are familiar with the routines. The childminder ensures the children are fully supervised, particularly when accessing the family pets and has the ability to administer emergency first aid treatment when required. Children are very well protected and have appropriate adult support.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a high level of awareness of current information regarding child protection, which ensures that she can act in the best interests of the children. Children are effectively guarded, because the childminder clearly understands her role in child protection and is fully

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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 aware of the procedures to follow should a concern arise. She has attended child protection training and this enables her to act upon any concerns she may have about a child in her care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 very welcoming and they contribute to the development of safety routines. For example, tidying away the toys that they have finished with and following the childminder's good examples. Toys and resources are age appropriate, in excellent condition and conform to safety standards.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Attention is given to the 'Birth to three matters' framework, and examples are used effectively to enhance the provision. The childminder uses the guidance to help her to plan appropriate activities for the younger children to help them grow and develop naturally. They are able to self select, build meaningful relationships by meeting other children and visit places of interest to expand their awareness of the environment.

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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 art and craft materials. They experience creative activities by using tactile materials, such as natural objects as well as man made ones.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is skilled at planning a broad range of stimulating and challenging activities based on children's interests and their stages of development. The children respond well to the childminder's enthusiasm and motivation. 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, and use drawings, paintings 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. The childminder has a good awareness of promoting equality of opportunity through the provision of toys and resources reflecting diversity. Activities are available to all children and non-stereotyped play is encouraged. Children are given the same chances, treated as individuals and with equal concern. Children with specific needs are welcomed into the environment and the childminder liaises with parents to ensure their individual needs are met. The childminder gathers all relevant information regarding the care of such children, to ensure her time spent with them is effective and supportive.

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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 Partnership with parents is good. Daily verbal and written 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.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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. Appropriate strategies for behaviour are effective 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 examples set by the childminder and her family. They begin to understand right from wrong through consistent boundaries and explanations.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder takes overall responsibility for maintaining appropriate records. All documentation is in place and is appropriately maintained. Documents are stored safely out of reach and relevant information is shared with parents. The childminder is very organised and has her documentation up to date and available for inspection. She has a comprehensive parents' file to show new parents, and photographic evidence of children engaged in a variety of activities. Parents are aware of the procedure to follow if they wish to make a complaint. There are effective arrangements in place for keeping a record of any complaints.

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Organisation

Daily routines are in place which can be re-arranged 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 many relevant courses, conducive to good childminding practices.

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Organisation

Children are kept safe and secure through careful supervision and very good safety measures. The home is welcoming, friendly and more than adequate precautions are taken to prevent accidents. The childminder ensures the children are only released to the authorised persons collecting them. However, the times of children's attendances are not clearly documented. 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 the last inspection 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

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 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 children's times of attendance are clearly recorded.

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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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