Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

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317944 Unique Reference Number 18 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 1992. She lives with her husband and three children aged 19, 16 and 10 years old at Sprotborough in Doncaster.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a golden Labrador dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A maximum of six children may attend at any one time. There are currently three 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 also takes children to the local toddler group, 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 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's health is effectively promoted as information is requested from parents and recorded, which ensures children's individual needs are met. Children stay healthy because they are cared for in a clean, well maintained home where they learn simple, good hygiene practices. For example, children are beginning to show some understanding of the importance of personal hygiene as the childminder encourages them to wash their hands before food and after toileting. Children are further protected from illness and infection as the childminder works cooperatively with parents to ensure that children with infectious illnesses do not attend.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy eating habits are well promoted as the childminder provides children with healthy and nutritious home cooked food. Mealtimes are enjoyable, social occasions where children sit and eat together with the childminder, who encourages them to feed themselves where appropriate. Records clearly indicate dietary requirements for each child, which ensures that parents wishes are respected.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular and varied outdoor activities and experiences, which helps them to develop their coordination and physical skills. For babies there is a good range of tactile resources to hold and explore, which develops their natural curiosity and to develop confidence in their physical abilities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe because they are cared for in a child friendly home where most risks are identified and minimised. However, the fire and its surround in the lounge is accessible to young children, which does compromise their overall safety in this area. Children do learn to avoid accidental injury and keep themselves safe as the childminder teaches them safe practice, for example, when crossing roads. Fire drills are practised on a regular basis and children are able to describe the procedure, which shows they are beginning to understand about keeping safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective use of all available space ensures children are comfortable and have room to move around freely and safely. This helps children to develop independent skills as they can easily access appropriate resources. The childminder reviews all equipment and resources regularly to ensure they remain safe and appropriate to individual children's ages, abilities and interests.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded as the childminder has secure knowledge and understanding of child protection via recent training. She has a clear understanding regarding her role and is fully aware of the procedure 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 happy, confident and secure in the childminder's care. They make very good progress in all areas of their development because the childminder understands that children are eager to learn when they are interested and challenged. For example, when building the train track, the childminder encourages the children to consider which shapes they need to build the bridge, which helps children to develop problem solving skills and feel a sense of achievement when the task is completed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder considers individual children's ages and abilities when planning activities to ensure they are suitably motivating and interesting, which helps children to make progress and develop their levels of confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are effective daily routines in place and children are familiar with the environment, which helps them to feel comfortable and at ease. The childminder encourages children to access resources independently and there are good opportunities for children to explore, both indoors and out, which builds on their natural curiosity as learners.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concern and their needs are met very well. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure there is continuity of care and that children are clear regarding what is expected of them. Clear policies and procedures help parents to feel involved in their child's care. The childminder actively encourages parental involvement by sharing relevant information and detail on a daily basis.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour is good and there are appropriate behaviour management strategies in place. Children show a strong sense of belonging, are happy, content and familiar with the environment and the daily routines. The childminder has established very positive relationships with the children and their parents, which helps children develop confidence and to feel safe and secure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's awareness of the local community and the wider world is well promoted through regular outings and a good and varied range of resources, which actively promote diversity. The childminder has some experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has a very good understanding of the areas to consider to ensure she meets the needs of all children attending.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is effective in organising the childcare to support children's care, learning and play. Children are able to make informed choices about their play and confidently express their individual needs.

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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 The childminder has a sound knowledge of childcare and development and a positive regard to the well-being of children. She has accessed further training, which enhances the childcare provision. A good range of relevant policies and procedures are in place, which contribute to the effective organisation of the setting and ensures that children are cared for in a safe and secure environment.

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Organisation

Parents are kept well informed about their child's progress and recording systems are used well. This means that the individual needs of children are met well as all required documentation is in place.

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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 required to ensure that written agreements with parents are in place. These are now in evidence, which contributes to ensuring that children's individual needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were also recommendations made at the last inspection around health and safety issues, which the childminder has addressed. For example, she now has written parental consent to administer first aid and for children to have contact with the family dog, which promotes children's general welfare.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has now improved the procedures regarding the administration of medication and maintains a record in a pre-printed medication record book. However, with regard to the recommendation about ensuring the fire and its surround is inaccessible to children, the childminder has only removed the fender, which does mean that the fire and its surround is still accessible to children. She is aware that further measures need to be taken to ensure children are kept safe.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Other recommendations made at the last inspection were around the childminder improving her knowledge and understanding of child protection and providing a written statement. The childminder has accessed further training and has devised a written child protection statement, which is readily available for parents to see. The childminder now stores children's records in an upstairs room, ensuring that confidentiality is maintained. These improvements help to protect and safeguard children.

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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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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 that the fire and its surround is inaccessible to children.

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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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