Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY301503 Inspection date 08 September 2005 Inspector June Rice

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 February 2005. The childminder lives with her husband and one child. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is access to an outdoor play area. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered to care for five children at any one time. She is currently minding three children including one child over 8 years.

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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. Children's health and well being is effectively promoted. The childminder takes positive steps to reduce the risk of cross infection by following appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines. For example, she uses anti bacterial spray to wipe changing mats and worktops. Wipes are used for the baby, the nappy is disposed of immediately and hands are washed. Children benefit from a clear procedure if they are ill. They are made comfortable and cared for sensitively while waiting to be collected by parents. The childminder continues to provide care through consultation with parents if the child is not too ill and no other children are at risk. Children have their individual needs met well because the childminder is fully committed to working with parents. She demonstrates a good awareness of children's dietary needs and individual routines. This ensures that they benefit by

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Helping children to be healthy

following a familiar routine. For example, during the visit a child became a little unsettled. The childminder is very familiar with the child's temperament and routine. She knows immediately the child is tired and responds with care, placing the child in the pram with a soft toy. The child is comfortable and settles quickly going straight to sleep. Children's dietary needs are met well. Children benefit from a good exchange of information about their dietary needs. Parents are asked about allergies, what they wish children to drink and what food they like. They are provided with a healthy balance of fresh foods, fruit and children's favourites. Meal times are relaxed and sociable. During breakfast there is very good interaction, children thoroughly enjoy the meals and respond excitedly to the childminders chatter and facial expressions. Children enjoy physical activity through a range of indoor and outdoor activity. For

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Helping children to be healthy

example, the childminder uses an age appropriate activity gym and strategically places suitable toys around the area to encourage younger children to reach, stretch and twist. Children enjoy exploring the surrounding space by rolling over and moving sideways from a well supported sitting position. They attend music tots, a weekly movement to music session.

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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 warm, welcoming environment. They are relaxed, feel safe and secure. Children's risk of injury is reduced because the childminder has assessed risks to children. She uses appropriate safety equipment and daily procedures to ensure children's safety. For example, she makes sure the house, toys and equipment are clean. She has practiced an emergency evacuation to make sure she can get a baby out safely. She ensures the house is secure and children are collected by known persons only.

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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 Children enjoy using a good range of toys and equipment that are well presented, clean and in good condition. Age appropriate toys are rotated regularly and stored in low level boxes. Part of the daily routine is to ensure there are no trip hazards caused by having too many toys out at once. This ensures that younger children cannot get to things that are unsuitable and enables older, more able children to choose and play independently in safety. Children are protected because the childminder clearly understands her role in child protection. She has attended child protection training and is familiar with possible signs and symptoms. She provides information to parents that clearly informs them of her role and responsibility. She has clear procedures in place and good recording

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy good interaction from the childminder. They thrive from the individual attention they receive and have a real sense of belonging. They strive to achieve because they are comfortable in their environment. They are very happy and respond well to the childminder's constant praise and encouragement. Children benefit from the childminders sound knowledge and understanding of their stages of development. They are skilfully motivated and given confidence to meet new challenges and learn new skills. For example, toys are gradually placed further away encouraging stretching and movement. Children's fine motor movements are constantly improving. Young children enjoy the challenge of picking up different sized hoops and placing them onto a centre piece. They also enjoy hitting the buttons on an electronic game and respond excitedly to the animal sounds made. Children benefit from a good range of indoor and outdoor activities. These include

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enjoying picnics and local walks where they feed the ducks and meet with children their own age. The childminder takes along a selection of outside equipment for the older children, such as bats and balls and some small toys for the youngest. Most children enjoy a good provision of craft activities and materials. But the youngest children have not been introduced to craft activities or malleable materials, which limits the use of all their senses during exploration.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very comfortable within the environment and feel very much at home. Children enjoy taking their work home so there is little on display. Younger children enjoy lots of individual attention and interaction with the childminder. They recognise and respond to her voice and words of encouragement. For example, a baby turns over trying to move, the childminder encourages and helps the child to roll back over. The child confidently takes hold of her hands and is gently supported into a standing position. The childminder says 'are you going to clap' and the child's face lights up as

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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 he does 'pat-a- cake' and 'so big' to words of 'oh you are clever, well done'. Children make positive relationships and have developed a good bond with the childminder. They respond very well to the childminder who reacts enthusiastically to their sounds and expressions. Children are beginning to distinguish between right and wrong. For example; the youngest responds to a gentle 'no' when spitting food out at breakfast time and older children are encouraged to share, take turns and be patient with each other. Children are treated with equal concern. Established systems are in place that ensures a good exchange of information between parents and childminder. Children benefit from her knowledge and understanding of their individual needs. For example; she is quick to establish meal times and sleeping patterns that are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

consistent with their home routines and feel familiar.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a well organised environment that supports their learning through imagination and play. For example, the lounge provides a quiet area and lots of free floor space allowing freedom of movement. The dining room is utilised for craft activities and older children benefit from their own space in the conservatory. All children use the conservatory when weather is not good. Children are able to independently select from a good range of toys and equipment. Children's welfare and care is promoted well. The childminder keeps a good standard of records on the children in her care. The childminder is fully committed to continuing to develop her knowledge and understanding of child development. She has completed a number of courses and is presently studying for an open learning certificate in child development. The childminder has developed a professional relationship with parents. At

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Organisation

introduction visits she makes them feel welcome, shares her policies and procedures and introduces her own family. She gathers appropriate information from parents about their children's individual needs. She respects their wishes and keeps them well informed. For example, she provides them with a daily record that keeps them up to date. It tells them how their child has been and what they have been doing. It also gives parents an opportunity to update the childminder with any new information to ensure their children are cared for safely and progress well. Overall the needs of children attending the setting are met.

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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 There are no complaints to report.

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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): • develop a suitable range of activities for the younger children, for example by using the Birth to three framework

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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