Childminder in Rotherham

Inspection report for early years provision

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302953 Unique Reference Number 12 March 2007 Inspection date Lynn Rodgers 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 1993. She lives with her husband in a detached bungalow in Wath-upon-Dearne, a suburb of Rotherham. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, with the exception of the main bedroom, and 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five part days and six children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has three cats. 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 good. Children are protected from infection because the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of health related matters. She has completed many first aid courses in the past and has obtained the necessary consent from parents to administer emergency first aid treatment. However, the contents of the first aid box require regular checking and replenishing. There are clear, effective procedures for dealing with sick children, thereby limiting the possibility of cross-infection. Parents are verbally notified of her sickness policy and the exclusions for illnesses.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder encourages children to learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well organised activities and daily routines. All children are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet, before they handle food and when they have accessed creative play. Younger children are supervised during hand washing to ensure they know what to do. All food preparation areas are kept very clean and tidy and any food is stored at the correct temperature. The childminder has established suitable routines for handling food. For example, she cleans surfaces, washes her own hands before and after preparation and uses separate chopping boards for raw and cooked foods. Parent's wishes are respected and the childminder records children's allergies and dietary requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides children with energetic activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. For example, large motor skills are developed through physical play and visits to the local parks. They are able to rest or be active according to their needs. The childminder helps children to develop self-confidence in their physical skills with the provision of a wide range of indoor and outdoor equipment and toys. The 'Birth to three matters' framework is part of her daily routine and she ensures all children benefit from her knowledge to promote the strong and healthy child. For example, they enjoy a close relationship with the childminder and her own family and are able to express feelings, such as joy and happiness through the provision of appropriate toys and activities to promote stimulation and development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has a good level of awareness of current information regarding child protection, which ensures that she can act in the best interests of the children. She has attended safeguarding children training and this enables her to act upon any concerns she may have about a child in her care. She has the necessary documentation to record details of any concerns and would act quickly to prevent a child from further suffering by reporting concerns to the appropriate authority. She has the confidence to talk to parents about any worries she may have, in a sensitive way.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from a good range of safety measures, such as safety gates, socket covers, fire fighting equipment and a fully secure outdoor play area. They are happy and settled in the setting, which is warm and welcoming, and they contribute to the development of safety

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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 routines. For example, they tidy away the toys that they have finished with and follow the childminder's good examples.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes all reasonable steps to keep children safe and promote their well-being, for example, daily checks for any dangers, hazards or broken toys are carried out. However, although fire evacuation is practised, the childminder does not keep a record of when this happens. Children are familiar with routines for removing outdoor clothing and know which areas of the home they can access. The childminder ensures the children are fully supervised and records all details of the authorised persons collecting the children. She takes her mobile telephone with her on outings to enable her to call parents quickly if an emergency arises.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Toys, resources and equipment are organised and used well to enhance children's learning and develop basic language and mathematical skills. This means children have access to exciting, stimulating, age-appropriate activities to enhance their overall development. They are motivated to learn and explore. Activities provide interest to the children and good levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development. For example, the childminder encourages children's creativity through the provision of good materials and varied stimuli, such as paint and collage materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged through lots of praise and enjoy a warm, caring relationship with the childminder and show increasing confidence as they communicate with others. They become creative as they explore, discover, use shapes, construction and imaginative play to express their feelings. Children enjoy physical play and exercise by using the varied selection of outdoor equipment for jumping, skipping and climbing which develops their gross motor skills. Activities are informally planned to allow for diversity and children are able to self-select and make choices about what they do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Partnership with parents is good. Daily verbal communication and shared information ensures they are fully conversant with the provision and what their child has been doing. The childminder takes time to explain things thoroughly and makes sure she is available to discuss any worries or queries with a parent. Parents have been informed of the procedure to follow should they wish to make a complaint and received details of Ofsted's current address and phone number. The childminder is committed to promoting quality care for children where they can thrive and develop naturally.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop a positive attitude to others and gain a good understanding of appropriate behaviour through constant praise and encouragement. They are highly valued as individuals and learn to take turns and share. Strategies used to safely manage children's behaviour are appropriate and children are familiar with the rules of the house. The individual needs of all of the children who attend are well met and they behave well through clear guidance and good

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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 examples set by the childminder and her family. They begin to understand right from wrong through consistent boundaries and explanations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good awareness of promoting equality of opportunity through the provision of toys and resources reflecting diversity. The children are treated as individuals with equal concern, and she is fair in her judgements and meets children's needs very well. No gender based activities are offered and all children have access to all play situations and resources reflecting the multicultural world we live in. She values all children equally, recognises their similarities and differences and treats them with respect. She challenges racism, sexism and derogatory remarks, and explains to families that all children are welcome, and have access to all toys and resources. Children with learning difficulties are welcomed into the setting. The childminder works in partnership with parents and other carers to ensure the children's individual needs are met appropriately.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are kept safe and secure through careful supervision and good safety measures. The home is very welcoming, well maintained and child friendly and precautions are taken to prevent accidents. For example, all required safety measures have been taken and daily risk assessments are carried out before children arrive and after they leave. The childminder ensures children are only released to the authorised persons collecting them and she has their details on file. Parents' telephone numbers are logged in her mobile phone to enable her to call them quickly when required. Documents are stored safely out of reach and relevant information is verbally shared with parents. The childminder is well organised and has her documentation up-to-date and available for inspection.

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Organisation

Daily routines are in place and flexible enough to meet the changing needs of the children cared for and allow time for children to input their ideas and preferences. The childminder organises and effectively plans activities to ensure children are stimulated and have lots of fun. She has a positive attitude to training and developing her childminding skills. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection there were recommendations regarding children's safety and emergency first aid treatment. The childminder has positively addressed both these issues, which means children are cared for in a safe and secure environment and parents fully support the childminder to administer emergency first aid treatment or seek advice.

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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 any 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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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): • ensure the contents of the first aid box are regularly checked and replenished • keep a record of all practised fire drills.

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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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