Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY339434 Unique Reference Number 08 February 2007 Inspection date Angela Howard 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 three children aged eight, four and two years of age. They live in Halfway, a large residential area on the outskirts of Sheffield. The whole of the ground floor of the premises is used for childminding. 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 four children at any one time. She currently has two children under eight years and one child over eight years of age on roll. The childminder walks to take and collect children from the local school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Mosborough Townships Childminding Coperative. The family has a dog.

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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 cared for in an environment that is clean and well maintained. They are appropriately protected from illness and infection as they follow suitable hygiene procedures. They are encouraged to learn the importance of personal hygiene through appropriate practice, daily routines and active support from the childminder. This helps them to understand simple health and hygiene procedures. Effective measures are in place to prevent the spread of infection. For example, a well written, clear sickness policy is shared with all parents, which ensures children who are ill do not attend. The childminder maintains clear records of any accidents and any medication administered to ensure children's medical needs are met appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are appropriately nourished because they are provided with a healthy and nutritionally balanced range of snacks and meals. Food served takes into account children's religious and dietary requirements plus parents' wishes. This is essential for their well-being, health and development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular access to an appropriate range of physical activities, both at the setting and in the community. For example, they visit local parks, go on walks to watch the trains, visit a music and movement group and access the outdoor play area to manoeuvre wheeled toys, kick balls, ride on rockers and dig in sand. This allows children to develop their gross motor skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises are child friendly and positive arrangements are in place to ensure that children are able to move around the designated play areas independently. Effective safety measures are in place like socket covers, safety gates, fire guards, low-level cupboards have locks fitted and the premises are kept secure. This ensures children are cared for in a safe environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have free access to a wide range of good quality toys and equipment which meet safety standards. Resources are checked on a regular basis to ensure they remain safe. All resources are stored at child height so they can easily and safely access them. This encourages free choice and independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The fire precautions in place are adequate. For example, the exits are clear of obstruction, smoke alarms are in working order, the fire blanket is appropriately sited and the childminder has a fire escape plan. However, this is not routinely practised with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a basic understanding of the indicators of abuse. She is aware of the responsibility to protect children and has systems in place to safeguard their welfare. However, the childminder's understanding of the procedures to follow should she suspect abuse is limited.

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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 satisfactory. Children are encouraged to access resources themselves, so developing their sense of self-assurance. Younger children engage in concentrated imaginative play as they play with the farm yard animals, explore building with bricks and care for the dollies. The childminder is well aware of the different needs of children and allows time and space for them to play or relax quietly. The range of equipment is linked to the individual needs and interests of children attending. Older children enjoy more focused activities, such as making pizzas for tea, playing board games, baking cookies or doing craft activities. Therefore, they spend their time purposefully and enjoy playing with the resources provided.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children gain appropriate levels of self-esteem and confidence as the childminder consistently supports them to learn and reinforce what they can do. Toddlers communication skills are fostered appropriately as the childminder consistently talks to the children about what they are doing, linking words to actions. She listens and encourages them to communicate by repeating words, such as cat, dog and duck. Therefore, children are developing positive relationships with the childminder and develop good communication skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relate very well to the childminder and their peers. They share a very warm and caring relationship. For example, they enjoy physical closeness with the childminder, independently climbing on to her knee for a cuddle.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a positive approach towards working with parents to meet children's individual needs. She makes children feel good about themselves through regular meaningful praise and offers lots of encouragement. The childminder values children's attempts and achievements. This results in children being independent and feeling safe and secure, through which they develop self confidence, a belief in themselves and a healthy self-esteem. She provides a basic but adequate range of good quality resources which increase children's awareness of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A clear and consistent positive approach to managing children's behaviour effectively encourages children to behave well. They receive clear instruction and guidance and plenty of praise. This results in children knowing what is expected of them. Therefore, they learn right from wrong in a caring environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is sound, which contributes to the children's overall well-being. Ongoing verbal communication ensures parents are kept up-to-date and involved in their child's care.

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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. Children's welfare and enjoyment is promoted by the appropriate organisation of the setting. Routines are in line with children's individual needs and effectively support children's care and development. Children feel very much at home and at ease in their surroundings. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder is keen to further her development as a childminder and has attended some additional training, including health and safety at work and child protection workshops. Further training sessions, such as ‘Birth to three matters’ are planned to ensure she continues to develop and improve the childcare. There is a wide range of written and verbal policies the childminder clearly implements and shares with parents to keep them well informed. This effectively promotes the welfare, care and learning of children. 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

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 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): • improve knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures • ensure children are aware of the action to take in the event of a fire.

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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 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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