Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY336609 Unique Reference Number 27 February 2007 Inspection date Joanne Susan Boon 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 2006. She lives with her partner and three children aged 1,6 and 8 years old, in a house, in a suburb of Sheffield. Children have the use of all the ground floor and both a bathroom and bedroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time. The childminder takes her children to pre-school groups and makes use of local facilities, such as the parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy activities and outings in the fresh air every day. The childminder places emphasis on daily physical exercise, such as walking with the children to and from toddler group and

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 visiting the park, to promote a healthy lifestyle. Children use a range of large play equipment at toddler groups and have access to an excellent range in the childminder's home and garden. The childminder plans suitable activities to develop children's abilities and encourages them to try out new skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from infection by the childminder's clear awareness of health and hygiene guidelines. Parents are clearly informed that sick children cannot be cared for in most situations. Children's understanding of the importance of good hygiene is promoted in their everyday routines; for example, they know why they must have clean hands before they eat. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate which enables her to deal with any accidents or emergencies. This helps her to protect children effectively. She has clear written agreements with parents regarding occasional administration of medication, however, written consent to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment is not in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is very well-informed about children's individual dietary needs. She offers nutritious home cooked meals and children can choose from a range of healthy snacks during the day, for example blueberries, kiwi and bananas. The childminder actively promotes healthy eating; for example, she regularly makes a tomato sauce for pasta with added 'hidden' vegetables. She talks with children about healthy choices and encourages children to try new foods, for example baking and trying a carrot cake. Drinks are always available for children to access independently or on request.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and child-friendly home. The childminder organises space and resources well to reduce potential hazards. She places high priority on safe supervision and assesses risks effectively to promote children's safety and enjoyment. For example, she has recently fitted safety film to exposed glass in the drive way to offer a safer space for children to explore. Resources suitable for all ages are available throughout the rooms. She carefully considers the age range present when planning different activities. For example, she has baked in the kitchen with a four year old, but does not feel this is currently appropriate for younger children. Children use a broad range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards, helping them to enjoy a wide variety of experiences safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use the whole environment freely and older children can visit the toilet independently. Their awareness of risk and safety is raised in everyday activities. They learn to stay beside the childminder when they are out walking and to hold onto the buggy when crossing the road together. The childminder alerts children to risks; for example, she reminds a child to be careful not to bump her head when she picks up a pen from underneath the table. Their risk of accidents is minimised by consistently reinforced safety rules. For example, they know they must tidy toys from the floor so they do not fall over them. The childminder has a well-considered plan for safe evacuation in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding of her responsibilities within child protection procedures. She has attended training to improve her existing knowledge and understanding of child protection issues; increasing her confidence in her own ability to

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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 protect children and keep them safe. The childminder verbally shares her responsibilities with regard to child protection issues with parents. Her willingness to share this information with parents ensures that the welfare of children in her care is given high priority. The childminder clearly explains the requirements to keep a record of all accidents and existing injuries.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy interesting activities using a wide range of resources which support and challenge their development. They develop confidence as the childminder talks to them and is interested in what they say and do. She finds out what they enjoy and plans experiences to develop new skills and extend their learning. For example, a child shows me a book they made the previous week about the three little pigs. This reminds the child about the pigs and we move next door where the children and childminder busily gather their materials and sit at the child sized table, folding and colouring three pink pigs, all initiated by the child recalling the activity from previous week. Children are offered creative experiences each day, both in the childminder's home and at toddler groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become involved in activities that interest them, for example, on returning from a trip to toddler group the children busily select books from the shelf, choosing familiar stories, pointing out pictures of their favourite fruit and linking pictures of babies to their baby dolls in the buggies. Their language skills develop well as they ask questions and describe what they are doing. The children love listening to stories and pointing to pictures that interest them; they sit together, absorbed as they look at a book with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop a strong sense of self-esteem. They are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. Their behaviour is very good and is sensitively supported by the childminder. They begin to understand right from wrong, as they learn to share toys and take turns. The childminder is familiar with the 'Birth to three matters' framework but has not used it in her every day practice to date.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's relationships with the childminder are very warm and trusting. Daily routines are relaxed and child-led. Children make their own suggestions about activities they would like to do. They are able to access resources independently and plan their own play. They are encouraged to make their own decisions and learn to manage their own needs; for example, a child selects their own felt tip pens, taking off the lids and then choosing the correct corresponding lid, concentrating hard to put it back on. Children confidently let the childminder know what they are going to do next and she responds supportively to their plans, 'babies, babies' the children tell her as they find the dolls and buggies.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to share and cooperate as they play. They are helped to feel good about themselves, as the childminder praises them and gives lots of warm encouragement. This reinforces caring behaviour, so that children learn to be kind and helpful to each other. They

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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 know that they must be gentle with each other and that pushing is not allowed. They learn to say 'sorry' if they have upset someone. The childminder plans activities to enable everyone to be involved, for example there are sufficient dolls and buggies for each child. The children help to keep the play area tidy by putting toys away when they have finished with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's awareness of their local community is raised well by regular outings. Children go to the local shops and visit the parks as well as embarking on trips further afield, such as to the Peak District. The childminder has many resources which reflect other cultures and abilities. She is aware of the importance of such experiences and is committed to raising children's awareness of difference and diversity. The childminder is interested in supporting families with additional needs and is attending current training in this area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in close partnership with parents. She talks with parents about her childcare practice and has some information about her procedures and activities. The childminder actively encourages parents to share any concerns and informs them how they may raise a complaint if necessary.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for within an organised and safe environment. Their individual needs are supported by flexible and child-centred planning.

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Organisation

Children are kept safe and their welfare is effectively safeguarded by the childminder's understanding and implementation of all the required procedures. She understands requirements with regard to reaching agreements with parents, but needs to update children's records by including written parental consent for emergency medical treatment, so that their wishes are clearly understood. The childminder shares information daily with parents about children's activities and care needs, enabling consistency and continuity of care. The registration certificate is suitably displayed and parents are able to discuss their child's needs and individual care at the start of their placement with the childminder.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of 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.

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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 complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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

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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): • improve documentaion by requesting written parental permission to seek any emergency medical treatment or advice.

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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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