Childminder in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 300124 Inspection date 16 June 2005 Inspector Trudy Scott

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since 1995. She lives with her husband, her adult son and two children aged 12 and 14 years. They live in a detached house in the Crookes area of Sheffield, close to local parks and shops. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time. She is currently caring for 10 on a part time basis. She supports children with special needs.

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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 helps at a local playgroup and attends toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from illness and infection because the childminder provides a clean, warm home and is active in promoting good hygiene practice, such as regular hand washing. Children enjoy regular snacks of fruit, access drinks independently and are encouraged to make healthy choices from a range of different foods. They are active and alert because they are well-rested and nourished. The childminder effectively ensures children eat and sleep according to their needs by consulting parents about their children's care and following routines that flow with the child's needs. Children enjoy a wide range of physical activity. They regularly go on outings and play outside in the garden where they practice skills in using large equipment, such as a climbing frame. They are secure physically and emotionally because the childminder is readily available and easily accessible to them. For example the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder stays close, gives cuddles and interacts in play.

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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 welcoming spacious home where risk are identified and minimised. This means they are able to move around and explore safely and independently. They are learning to keep themselves safe because the childminder talks to them about potential danger, for example they discuss road safety on outings. Children enjoy appropriate challenge in a safe environment, such as negotiating the different levels of the garden while closely supervised and supported by the childminder Children use good quality toys and play materials appropriate to their age and stage of development. They select play materials independently as resources are well-organised in child-height furniture and low level storage. The childminder is constantly on hand and observes them at play to ensure they make safe choices. She makes sure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example she

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

has secure knowledge of child protection procedures and holds a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled and have warm, positive relationships with the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 childminder. She values what each child has to offer and shows interest in what they do and say by listening, asking questions and becoming involved in their play. Babies and toddlers are well-supported as they attempt to communicate. For example the childminder waits patiently and attentively, giving encouragement and praise, as younger children try to express themselves. Children relate well to each other and socialise with other children through regular attendance at local playgroups and toddler groups. Children enjoy a balanced range of stimulating activities, such as role play, games, music, creative activities and quiet times, which help them progress in all developmental areas. They make decisions about their play, as they select independently from the good range of resources and activities available. Their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

experience is extended as they go on visits around the local area. For example they develop social skills when they go out for lunch to a nearby café.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel a sense of belonging as they are warmly welcomed in the childminder's home. Their individual needs are well met because the childminder takes time to get to know children and parents and finds out what is important to them, such as their individual likes and dislikes and particular needs. Children with special needs receive appropriate support from the childminder. The childminder talks informally with parents on a daily basis, which helps them share in their children's activities and experiences. Children behave well and follow the good role model of the childminder by treating each other with courtesy and consideration. They understand their own needs and are beginning to understand the needs of others. For example they learn to take turns and co-operate when playing games with each other. Children feel good about themselves and develop confidence as they make choices, influence others and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

receive lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder. Children are helped to become aware of the wider society as they take part in activities, such as cooking foods from different cultures and looking at books with positive images of diversity.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are content and well-cared for because the childminder organises her home and time effectively to support their welfare, play and learning. Children explore as they move around freely in the childminder's home and broaden their experience with regular visits to playgroup and outings to other places of interest, such as a farm. She plans the day to make sure she has time to give children individual attention and meet the demands of children of different ages. The childminder has in place some written polices, such as equal opportunities and behaviour management, which she shares with parents to ensure they are

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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 well-informed about the childcare. She works well with parents to agree the care of the children, although not all necessary consents are secured in writing. The childminder keeps up to date with current practice and accesses a variety of relevant training to improve her knowledge and understanding. For example she has completed special needs training to ensure she provides appropriate care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend. .

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has re-organised her paperwork. Documentation relating to the childminding is stored securely and is kept to hand. This ensures all paperwork is available for inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints since the last inspection.

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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): • secure written parental consent for giving medicine and leaving children in the care of an assistant.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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