Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY331998 Unique Reference Number 19 February 2007 Inspection date Carolyn Gifford 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 husband and two children, aged seven years old and two years old, in Doncaster.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor, with the exception of the lounge, is used for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A maximum of four children may attend at any one time. There are currently two children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler group. She also takes children to the park, play areas and the library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Doncaster 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 good. Children enjoy a wide range of physical activities and outings in the fresh air, which contributes to keeping them fit and well. They experience physical activities most days, as they use a range of play equipment at local toddler groups and in the park.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are helped to be healthy and are protected from infection by the childminder's clear awareness of health and hygiene guidelines. She ensures that children's understanding of the importance of good hygiene practices is promoted through everyday routines. For example, there are fun posters and visual aids in the downstairs toilet to encourage children to wash their hands. The childminder liaises closely with parents to follow home eating and sleeping routines, to ensure children are content and able to enjoy their play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Most of the relevant written parental consents are in evidence and the majority of the relevant information and detail is included in the medication record book. However, the childminder does not record the time of the last dose, the reason for the medication or whether it is prescribed or not. Prior written parental consent to administer medication and first aid is not in evidence, which potentially compromises children's health and welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Arrangements for snacks, meals and drinks are negotiated carefully with parents to ensure that children's individual dietary needs are met. A varied range of healthy, home cooked food is offered and children happily eat fresh fruit at snack time. The childminder offers drinks regularly to children and makes arrangements for older children to help themselves, which promotes their independence skills. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of healthy eating, which effectively helps children to develop healthy eating habits.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in safe, secure and welcoming surroundings. The childminder is aware of potential hazards and takes steps to reduce these both in the home and outdoors. This enables children to move freely and safely, while being protected from harm. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder helps them to understand danger and to develop safe practice. For example, the toy set of traffic lights provides children with a fun way of learning about road safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy the use of a broad range of good quality resources and equipment that are appropriate to their age and stage of development. They are able to access these independently and safely, helping them to make choices about their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded effectively because the childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of how to protect children and recognises this is her main priority. She is clear and confident about the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child.

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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 good. Children are very secure and settled in the childminder's care. They enjoy many interesting activities using a wide range of stimulating resources, which support and challenge their development. The childminder talks to the children and is interested and involved in what they are doing, which helps children to develop confidence and to feel valued. The childminder is using the 'Birth to three matters' framework well and plans to access training to enable her to further promote and extend the play experiences of younger children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder varies children's play experiences by providing different activities each day. There are good opportunities for children to explore their immediate environment, which builds on their natural curiosity as learners. The childminder considers individual children's ages, interests and abilities when planning activities, which ensures they are suitably challenging and help children to make progress in all areas of their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met well as the childminder takes time to get to know the children, is sensitive to their needs and works in close partnership with parents. The childminder finds out what is important to them and uses this information to increase children's confidence and sense of well-being. Information is shared with parents on a daily basis to ensure they are kept up to date and involved in their child's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and respond to the childminder's clear and consistent boundaries and her calm and positive approach. They are treated with equal concern and show a strong sense of belonging as they are familiar with the environment and the routines. Children's awareness of the local community is promoted through regular outings and visits. They have equal access to all resources and learn about the wider world through the positive use of books and other resources that promote positive images in all areas of equal opportunity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although the childminder has not had experience of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities she has a good understanding of the areas to cover to ensure she meets the needs of all children attending.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of childcare and development and a positive regard to the well-being of young children. Children are relaxed, comfortable and confident in the environment as space and resources are organised to enable them to explore and move around freely. This effectively maximises play opportunities for young children.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains most of the relevant documentation and written parental consents and has developed clear policies and procedures, which are shared with parents. All paperwork is stored appropriately and is readily accessible for parents and for inspection. The childminder

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 understands the benefits of training and has completed the required courses. She has also identified further training opportunities to develop and enhance her childcare provision.

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Organisation

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 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 that all relevant information and detail is included in the medication record book • request prior written parental consent to administer medication and first aid.

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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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