Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY260677 Unique Reference Number 30 January 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 2003. She lives with her partner and three children, two of whom are aged 10 years and one whom is 13 years old. The family live at Edenthorpe, which is a suburb of Doncaster. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family has one pet rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A maximum of six children may attend at any one time. There are currently four children under eight years and four children over the age of eight years on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and also runs a local toddler group and takes children to the library, parks and play areas.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable environment where good standards of hygiene are maintained. Their individual needs regarding health are met effectively because the childminder makes sure she is well informed and complies with any specific requirements for children's care. She ensures that first aid training is routinely updated to help her deal with any accidents or emergencies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about personal hygiene through daily routines and the support and guidance of the childminder. They are moving towards independence in attending to their personal care needs and are beginning to understand simple good health and hygiene practices, such as washing hands before meals and after toileting.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works with parents to promote children's welfare and good health and most of the relevant written parental consents are in evidence. However, the childminder does not have prior written consent from parents to administer medication and not all of the relevant information and detail is included in the medication record book. This could compromise the health and general welfare of the children attending.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular physical activity both indoors and outside. They walk to local schools, have access to a fully enclosed garden and visit local parks and play areas. This helps children to develop their physical skills and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Time for rest and relaxation is incorporated into the daily routine, which means that children's individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a very good understanding of the importance of healthy eating and provides home-cooked food, including fresh vegetables, and offers fruit for desserts and snacks. Children are able to talk about and identify foods that are good for them, which shows they are developing a knowledge and understanding of healthy eating.

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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 safe and secure environment. The childminder gives high priority to children's safety and has taken steps to minimise potential hazards, such as covering electrical sockets and fitting child locks to low-level cupboards in the kitchen. Children can move around freely and safely, learning to be independent and to keep themselves safe. For example, the childminder encourages children to think about safety, both in the home and outside, by talking to them and giving clear instructions and explanations.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a varied range of good quality resources and equipment that are appropriate to the ages and stages of development of the children attending. This helps children to progress and gain confidence in their abilities as they are able to access toys independently and safely, which contributes to them enjoying a wide variety of experiences and making choices about their play.

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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's welfare is effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of how to protect and keep children safe. She has attended recent child protection training to update her knowledge and is clear and confident about procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They demonstrate confidence and familiarity with the environment as they freely choose toys they want to play with. There is a good range of readily accessible toys and resources, which helps children develop independent skills. Children become engrossed in activities that engage them, for example, the wooden train set. Their language skills develop well as they talk about what they are doing. The childminder extends children's knowledge and understanding by asking open questions, which encourages children to begin problem solving. For example, supporting children in their thought process when making a bridge for the train to go under.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children share a warm and friendly relationship with the childminder. She gives cuddles and reassurance and maintains a friendly dialogue as they play together, which contributes to children's sense of security and belonging. Children are offered a variety of interesting and enjoyable activities and play experiences both inside and outside the home, which supports and challenges 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. She finds out what is important to the children and effectively uses this information to increase their confidence and general welfare. The childminder talks to parents about her childcare practice and has established very good relationships, which contributes to the general well-being of the children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are treated with equal concern and show a strong sense of belonging as they are familiar with the environment and confident in their relationships with the childminder. She ensures children have access to a range of toys and resources that effectively promote positive images in all areas of equal opportunities. This helps children to learn about diversity and to value each other's similarities and differences. The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and has a good knowledge and understanding of the areas to consider to ensure she meets the needs of all children attending.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A clear and consistent approach to behaviour management helps children to learn right from wrong in a caring environment, where children are given clear instructions and guidance. Effective techniques are used, such as explaining and offering alternatives, which helps children to learn what is expected of them and to consider the effects of their behaviour on others.

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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 good. The childminder maintains the required documentation, which contributes to the effective management of her childminding business and ensures that children's needs are met. She has developed policies and procedures, which are shared with parents, and helps them to be informed and involved with their child's care. Most of the relevant written parental consents are in evidence and the childminder has a positive approach regarding where improvements can be made.

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Organisation

The childminder has accessed further training opportunities which enhance her existing knowledge and understanding and this is evident in her approach to her work. Space and resources are used well to meet children's care, learning and play needs. The childminder organises her childminding day so that children have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of play experiences and are able to rest and relax according to their needs.

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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 it was recommended that the childminder ensure that children have an appropriate range of resources and activities that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. There is now a varied range of resources and activities that do promote positive images in all areas of equal opportunities. This raises children's awareness of diversity and the wider world.

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Improvements since the last inspection

It was also recommended that a written agreement with parents is established including the activities provided. The childminder discusses all relevant areas with parents, before children start, and completes a written agreement for each child. This helps to ensure parents are involved and aware of the activities in which their children participate. The final recommendation from the last inspection was for the childminder to request written parental consent for seeking emergency medical advice and treatment. This is now in evidence and helps to promote children's general welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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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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): • obtain prior written parental consent to administer medication and ensure that the reason and the time of the last dose given is included in the medication record book.

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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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