Gannon Mandy

Inspection report for early years provision

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317799 Unique Reference Number 02 February 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 1996. She lives with her family in Bentley, Doncaster. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant and sometimes cares for children as a temporary foster parent.

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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 for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She also takes children to visit the library, local parks and play areas and attends a local toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has a pet cat and three ferrets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years and is currently minding four children. She offers overnight childcare.

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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 The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 particular needs regarding health are met effectively because the childminder makes sure she is well informed and complies with any specific requirements for their care. The childminder liaises closely with parents to ensure she complements home and sleeping routines, which helps to ensure children are content and able to enjoy their play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about the importance of personal hygiene and good practice through daily routines and the support and guidance of the childminder. There are effective arrangements in place to protect children from infection and parents are clearly informed, both verbally and in writing, when children cannot attend due to illness. The childminder routinely updates her first aid training to help her deal appropriately with any accidents or emergencies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Most of the relevant written parental consents are in evidence, which helps to promote children's general health and welfare. However, the childminder does not have written parental consent for children to have contact with the family pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that children have regular opportunity to experience outdoor play by visits to local parks and play areas. This helps children to develop their all round physical skills and to gain confidence and control in their movements. Healthy eating is well promoted through activities and discussion. Nutritious meals and snacks are prepared for the children and they are beginning to develop some knowledge and understanding of which foods are good for them, which contributes towards children developing healthy eating habits.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is given high priority and is an integral part of the childcare provided. Most safety precautions are in place and the childminder completes a daily risk assessment before children arrive to ensure their continued safety and welfare. However, there are a number of hazards in the rear garden, which could compromise children's safety. Children learn to keep themselves safe and are becoming aware of good practice issues, for example, how to cross roads safely, through discussion and the good role model of the childminder. The childminder critically reflects the balance between freedom and safe limits to ensure children's continued safety and well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a varied range of quality toys and resources that are of good design and condition, which the childminder checks daily from a health and safety perspective and removes and replaces as necessary. The childminder encourages children to participate in tidying away toys,

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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 which contributes to them learning to take responsibility for themselves and for the welfare and safety of others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively protected as the childminder clearly understands her role regarding child protection and is fully aware of the procedure to follow in the event of having concerns about a child. The child protection policy does give some clear information and detail to parents, but does not include the procedure to follow in the event of allegations of abuse or neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled and relate well to the childminder and to each other. They demonstrate familiarity with the environment as they choose to participate in activities of their choice. There is a varied range of readily accessible, age-appropriate toys and resources, which helps children to develop independent skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are good opportunities for children to explore their immediate environment, which builds on their natural curiosity as learners. The childminder considers individual children's ages, abilities and interests when planning activities, which ensures that they are suitably challenged and helps them to make progress in all areas of their development. The childminder's good understanding of how young children learn and how to best support their learning helps their progress. Children are encouraged to develop their thought processes and to solve simple problems as the childminder uses opportunities during play to introduce concepts, such as shape and number.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become engrossed in activities that engage them, for example, cutting and sticking, Their language skills develop well as they talk about what they are doing, with helpful prompts from the childminder. This shows that their attempts and achievements are valued, which helps to build children's self-esteem and confidence in their abilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Early communication skills are nurtured as the childminder responds to what young children say and do with smiles, eye contact and by echoing their words. Younger children are able to join in activities, for example, when singing repetitive songs and nursery rhymes.

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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 them, is sensitive to their needs and works in close partnership with parents. She finds out what is important to them and uses this information to increase children's confidence and sense of well-being. Children show a strong sense of belonging and learn to feel good about themselves as the childminder shows they are valued by giving frequent praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good as they respond well to the childminder's clear and consistent boundaries and her calm and positive approach. They learn right from wrong in a caring environment and are given clear guidance. For example, when the childminder encourages

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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 children to share resources, effective techniques are used, such as explaining and offering alternatives.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Awareness of the local community is promoted well through regular outings and visits. Children have equal access to all resources and are learning about diversity and the wider world through the use of books and toys that actively promote positive images in all areas of equal opportunities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder does have some experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities and has a 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 has a sound knowledge and understanding of childcare and development and a positive regard to the well-being of children. Children feel at home and are relaxed and confident in the environment as space and resources are organised well to enable children to explore and move around freely.

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Organisation

The childminder has a positive approach regarding where improvements can be made, for example, by ensuring all relevant written parental consent are in evidence and that potential hazards are removed in the garden. This will effectively maximise play opportunities for children.

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Organisation

Recording systems are used well to ensure children's individual needs are met and the childminder establishes very good relationships with parents. The childminder is aware that the child protection policy needs expanding to include the procedure to follow if allegations of abuse or neglect are made. All documentation is stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times.

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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 fire safety precautions are improved by ensuring that the smoke alarm on the first floor is maintained in good working order. The childminder now has a system in place to ensure that regular checks of smoke alarms are carried out, which effectively contributes to children's safety.

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Improvements since the last inspection

It was also recommended that resources are extended to ensure that positive images are promoted in all areas of equal opportunities and that there is sufficient equipment to stimulate and challenge older children. There are now sufficient resources to challenge older children, aged from five years to eight years old, and all areas of equal opportunities are positively promoted through resources and activities. This helps to ensure that children's needs are met and that they have opportunity to learn about diversity and the wider world.

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Improvements 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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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 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): • request written parental consent for children to have contact with the family pets • ensure that the child protection policy includes procedures to be followed in the event of allegations of abuse or neglect • ensure that the potential hazards in the rear garden are identified and minimised prior to children having access to this area.

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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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