Childminder in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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300632 Unique Reference Number 17 January 2007 Inspection date Sarah Gilpin 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?

This childminder was registered in 2000. She lives with her two children aged 12 and 15 years in Sheffield. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, bathroom facilities are on the first floor and there is a fully enclosed garden 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, and is currently caring for four children who attend on a part time basis. She takes and collects children to and from local schools and makes use of local facilities, such as the park and library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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. The environment where the children are cared for is clean and maintained to a satisfactory standard. The children understand about basic hygiene because the childminder implements daily routines, such as ensuring they wash their hands before and after meals. This means children's well-being is nurtured. Suitable equipment for dealing with accidents involving children, such as a well-stocked first aid box, is in place. There are suitable systems for recording accidents, incidents and medication given to the children. However, the accident records do not always contain the children's full details.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides healthy and nutritious snacks and drinks for the children to enjoy. These include fresh fruit to eat and juice or water to drink. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure that children are not exposed to any foods that may cause an allergic reaction, and detailed information relating to special dietary requirements is recorded. The parents provide meals for their own children, which meet their individual needs, and are stored appropriately in the fridge.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children benefit from fresh air and exercise on a regular basis. For example, they play in the garden, visit the local park and walk home from school during the fine weather. Young children negotiate the childminder's home with ease as they potter around choosing from the toys and equipment. Children's rest and sleep routines are understood by the childminder, who meets these needs by providing sleep facilities, which are comfortable and suit their individual likes and dislikes. For example, the young baby drifts off to sleep, feeling secure in her pram.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe and secure indoor environment because the childminder takes appropriate steps to minimise hazards. For example, low-level glass is made safe and outer doors are kept locked when children are present. Potential risks are avoided because the childminder supervises the children closely as they play. Fire safety precautions, such as a fire blanket and smoke detectors, are in place and the childminder has given some thought to how she and the children will escape in an emergency. However, she does not routinely raise children's awareness of their own safety, through practising the fire evacuation procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a suitable range of toys and resources, which children can access safely because they are stored in suitable low-level boxes. Equipment and resources are rotated and children are able to choose from their favourite toys. The indoor equipment available meets the required safety standards and the childminder maintains and cleans the toys and resources on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are safeguarded because the childminder has a sound understanding of her role in dealing with child protection. She demonstrates an awareness of the signs and symptoms of

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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 abuse and neglect. She has a clear understanding of how to observe, record and report any concerns relating to the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very comfortable and well settled in the care of the childminder because they enjoy warm and affectionate relationships with her. She gets down to the children's level and is actively involved in their play. She talks constantly to the children, helping them to learn. For example, they chat about the movement of various action figures and look at the clowns in a book. The childminder uses her experience and her sound knowledge of children's development to plan appropriate activities to suit their age and developmental stage. For example, there is a box of 'toddler toys' that the younger children are eager to explore.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides children with choice and rotates the toys and equipment on a regular basis to help maintain their interest. They can choose for themselves because resources are stored in boxes on the floor, which promotes their independence. The varied range of experiences available are extended through visits to the local toddler groups where they participate in craft activities. These outings provide opportunities for the children to mix with their peers and to develop their social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for by a childminder who works hard to get to know them. She provides continuity of care for siblings and offers a flexible service around children's nursery and school attendance. Children's awareness of the local community is developed because the childminder takes them out in the local area to socialise with other children. For example, they go to toddler group and meet with other registered childminder's and children. However, the range of suitable resources, which raise children's awareness of other people, disability and the world around them are limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and they respond positively to the childminder's warm approach. She uses praise and encouragement successfully to promote good behaviour and uses techniques, such as distraction, to refocus the children to a different task or activity. This means that children's awareness of her expectations and their understanding of right and wrong is beginning to develop.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has successful working relationships with the parents and she understands the benefits of having long term relationships with the children and their families. Information is shared through daily verbal exchanges as the children arrive and depart. This method of communication benefits the children, helps maintain continuity of care, and ensures that children are cared for according to their parents' wishes. The childminder has a good understanding of the regulations regarding the recording of complaints and has implemented a recording system.

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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 children are cared for in a suitably organised environment where they can easily access resources. The childminder plans her routine for the week to ensure that the children's days are fun and varied. There are opportunities for home-based play and outings to the local toddler group where the children can socialise. As a result, the children are confident and happy.

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Organisation

The childminder has an appropriate understanding of the National Standards and has all of the required documentation to support the care of the children. For example, written agreements are in place, the children's attendance is accurately recorded and accident records are kept. However, these occasionally lack sufficient detail.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve the way that accidents were recorded and to provide more resources that reflect the diversity of society. As a result, the childminder has obtained a new book to record accidents in, the records are detailed and contain information about the type of injury, what treatment was given and the impact on the child. However, on occasion the records do not contain the child's full name and a further recommendation has been made. In addition, the childminder has obtained some books to enhance the multicultural provision, but this could be developed further and a recommendation has been made.

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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):

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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 • make sure that children's full details are recorded in the accident records • consider how to raise children's awareness of their own safety, through practising the fire evacuation procedures • continue to develop the equipment and resources to positively reflect the diverse nature of society.

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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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