Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY340938 Unique Reference Number 21 March 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 has been registered since 2006. She lives with her partner and their two children aged seven and 11 years. The family live in the village of Armthorpe, which is near to the centre of Doncaster. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, although children access the first floor to use the bathroom and the computer which is stored in the rear bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play at the rear of the property. The premises are situated within walking distance of the local schools, public transport services and shops.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She currently has three children on roll under eight years of age. 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 cared for in an environment that is very clean and well maintained. The childminder implements appropriate procedures to promote children's good health, for example, children wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. A detailed written policy to exclude children who are unwell is routinely shared with parents. This effectively reduces the risk of cross infection. Appropriate documentation is in place to record accidents, administration of medication and for the childminder to seek emergency treatment. This ensures she further protects the children's health and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides a wide variety of healthy and nourishing snacks and meals. Children enjoy fruit and yoghurts for snacks and sandwiches at midday. Evening meals consist of stew, chicken casserole and salads with jacket potatoes. This contributes to children's understanding of a healthy lifestyle. Children are rested and alert because the childminder makes sure that they have the opportunity to rest and sleep according to their individual needs. She follows their normal home routines as closely as possible, to provide continuity.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have the opportunity to participate in a variety of physical activities which contribute to their good health and well-being. Babies engage in indoor physical play, such as walking with push-along toys and move their bodies to music and songs. Older children have access to an outdoor play area where they use a variety of equipment to develop their gross motor skills. They enjoy skipping, riding bikes and scooters and kicking and catching balls.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. A number of positive steps have been taken to reduce possible hazards to ensure children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. For example, there are safety gates and a fireguard in place and all cleaning materials and sharp kitchen utensils are stored appropriately. The childminder supervises children appropriately ensuring that they are within her sight or sound at all times. She teaches road safety on outings and talks to them about safe practice. For example, she explains that they are not to climb on toys or pull on the safety gate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select resources from a satisfactory range of good quality toys that are put out each day. All equipment is checked on a regular basis and meets safety standards. This gives children the opportunity to make some choices and enjoy a wide variety of different play experiences safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has adequate knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. She is aware of her responsibility to protect children and has a basic system in place to safeguard their welfare. However, she does not have access to the booklet 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused'. Therefore, she has only a basic understanding of the safeguarding children procedures.

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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 confident with the routine of the day and are relaxed and engaged in purposeful play. They are familiar with the secure, established daily routines that allow time to eat, play and rest according to their individual needs. The childminder responds to children's requests and interests by providing activities that contribute to promoting creativity, such as craft activities which regularly include baking.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and settled; they share a warm and caring relationship with the childminder. Babies seek her out for approval, as they try to touch the inspector's computer and bag; they stay physically close for reassurance and cuddle with the childminder when tired. Children are learning appropriate social skills and enjoy being with and talking to adults and other children. This results in them being able to build meaningful relationships.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children have the opportunity to access a variety of activity based and some sensory play resources. They thoroughly enjoy pressing buttons on musical toys, pushing the push-along toys successfully as they learn to walk and play peek-a-boo with themselves in the mirror. Children thoroughly enjoy taking part in early conversations. For example, the childminder echoes the sounds babies make and repeats words as she plays linking words to actions. This encourages babies to become confident and competent language users.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder ensures all children can take part in play opportunities that are appropriate to their age and abilities. She works closely with parents and takes time to get to know the children to ensure she meets their individual needs successfully. Children play happily because they are settled in the childminder's care and enjoy the activities she provides. They have a very warm and positive relationship because she is kind and affectionate towards them. This results in children being independent and feeling safe and secure, through which they develop self-confidence and a healthy self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The local community is used appropriately to support children's experiences and understanding of the wider world as they visit local places of interest and attend toddler group on a regular basis. However, the range of resources to promote diversity is basic.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn right from wrong in a caring and supportive environment. A clear and consistent approach by the childminder encourages children to behave well. They receive clear guidance and this results in them knowing what is excepted of them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnerships with parents and carers are sound. This contributes appropriately to the children's overall well-being. Ongoing verbal communication and daily written diaries for babies, keep parents well informed about their child's care and progress. The childminder recognises that this helps to support links with home and increases children's sense of belonging.

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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 organises her time, space and resources appropriately to allow children to make choices about the activities they wish to pursue. This allows children to initiate and extend their own play.

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Organisation

There are a number of well-written policies and procedures in place which the childminder effectively implements and shares with parents to keep them well informed. All regulatory documentation is in place and is organised sufficiently well to ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to improving her practice through relevant training opportunities. For example, she has made enquires about completing further child protection training and the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework workshops. 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.

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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): • obtain the booklet 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused' to gain knowledge of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures • ensure children have access to a broad range of resources and activities that reflect diversity.

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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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