Childminder in Rotherham

Inspection report for early years provision

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303047 Unique Reference Number 17 April 2007 Inspection date Geneen Yvonne Hulse-Brown 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?

The childminder has been registered since 1989. She lives with her family in a semi-detached property in Rotherham. Local shops, schools and parks are within walking distance. The childminder has three children, aged 18, 16 and nine years old.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, this includes the kitchen, lounge and dining room, with upstairs access to the bathroom. Children have access to a fully enclosed area for outdoor play, which is situated to the rear and side of the property. The family has three cats. Children are escorted to and from local schools and nurseries.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered to care for six children at any one time, and is currently minding six children who attend on a full and part time basis.

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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. Children enjoy playing in the garden, exploring and going on walks, which contribute to their good health. They have fun climbing and riding bikes to build their physical skills and gain good control of their bodies. Young babies giggle as they play with activity centres and cause and effect toys. The childminder takes the children to the local childminder group, library and further afield to broaden their understanding of the environment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children can easily access drinks and the childminder encourages children to drink water as appropriate. She has a positive commitment to healthy eating, offering fruit to complement the food that they bring from home. The childminder demonstrates a sound awareness of children's likes, dislikes and allergies. She follows home routines for babies, recognising when they are hungry or in need of a rest.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder maintains a warm, clean environment where children learn the importance of good personal care. They are sensitively encouraged to wash their hands after using the bathroom or touching the family’s cats. Children learn acceptable practice due to the childminder’s realistic approach to developing their understanding of keeping healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. All risks are minimised in a secure, welcoming and child friendly home. Children move freely from room to room, building their confidence and extending their independence. The childminder is vigilant about safety and talks to the children to ensure that they understand how to keep themselves safe. She has a wide range of safety features in her home, including door alarms that let her know when outside doors are opened. She has all required fire prevention equipment in place and has sounded the alarm so children recognise the noise and know what to do.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys are set out throughout the home for children to make active choices of what to do. All equipment meets safety standards and the childminder checks all her resources regularly. Toys, books and games are arranged so that the children can help themselves and extend their independence. The childminder has effective methods of supervision in place that allow children space to explore and make choices. Older children are encouraged to tidy away, remove obstacles from the floor and keep little pieces away from the babies to prevent accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a high regard for the children’s well-being. She has effective practices in place to keep children safe, explaining and practising fire evacuation with them when they are old enough to understand. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate for working with children and babies and demonstrates a good understanding of child protection issues and procedures. However, she plans to develop her knowledge of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures to support her work. She has devised a broad range of documentation for recording accidents, incidents, medication and concerns.

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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 enthusiastically enjoy a wide range of stimulating and challenging activities. They are confident and well settled in the childminder’s home. Older children make choices of what to do from well planned areas around the home. Babies enjoy tactile and sensory experiences, giggling with glee and sharing smiles and cuddles with their childminder. They excitedly explore 'cause and effect' toys, pushing and pulling buttons to make sounds and look to the childminder who offers a reassuring reaction. She plans to attend the 'Birth to three matters' framework training in the summer to further enhance her work with young children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans a well organised and busy daily routine for the children, including outings and craft and baking activities, as well as free choice. They can choose between playing indoors or outdoors and can explore an interesting and fun garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s language development is extended as the childminder uses every opportunity to introduce language and new words, talking to babies as she feeds and cares for them. The childminder uses good facial expressions, such as smiles, to reassure and praise babies to build their self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children establish very good relationships with the childminder, playing games, having fun and building on what they know. The childminder has started to develop photographic evidence to support her working practice and plans to continue to build on this. She uses the toy library to offer children additional choices of equipment and ensure they remain interested in everything around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has an appropriate range of resources to offer fun activities that promote children's self-esteem. She makes effective use of equipment to introduce children to the wider world and promote a positive view of diversity, for example, celebrating and talking about different festivals. Children share home experiences as they build their confidence, make choices and ask questions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected; they behave well and their needs are met, as they follow agreed daily routines. The childminder considers the needs of all children, recognising their individual abilities to support them to try new skills and experiences. She has a sound understanding of the needs of all children in her care and plans appropriately to support and extend them. She recognises when children need individual attention and responds accordingly.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn good behaviour and respect due to the childminder's sensitive approach. Parents share information and have developed secure relationships with the childminder, to ensure a consistent approach to the care of their children. The childminder has a basic awareness of Ofsted's new complaints procedure and is in the process of developing this information to ensure that parents understand the process. She offers daily verbal feedback to parents about what the children do with her each day. She has identified an interest in continuing to develop this information, possibly using written information and photographs. Children are secure, happy and confident in their childminder's home.

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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. Children are relaxed and at home in an organised environment that allows them to be confident and make choices about what to play with. The childminder shares information with parents regularly and maintains all appropriate records in a organised manner to ensure that information is up to date. She has a file of information, including certificates, which she intends to develop and review to support the changes to her working practice. The childminder keeps all children's records confidentially and secure.

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Organisation

Flexible planning allows children space to make choices and enjoy busy days as the childminder sensitively supports and guides them to extend their play and learning. All available play space is well used to provide children with a stimulating and challenging environment. The childminder has attended local authority training to develop and enhance her practice and plans to continue to access all opportunities available to her. 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

Actions raised at the previous inspection relating to the provision of suitable equipment to meet the developmental needs of under two's has been successfully addressed. The childminder continues to develop her resources for all children to ensure they are safe and that children have fun experiences. Actions regarding home safety issues have been effectively addressed to keep children safe in the home. The childminder's required documentation to support her working practice continues to be reviewed to support the organisation of the service she offers.

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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 complaint 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): • continue to keep updated on child protection issues and new legislation regarding the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures • develop information for parents as to the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint

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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 • review and develop organisational systems and documentation to support working practice.

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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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