Childminder in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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300046 Unique Reference Number 11 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 Sheffield. Local shops, schools and parks are within walking distance. The childminder has a grown up daughter.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The lounge/dining room is used for childminding with upstairs access to the bathroom. Children have access to a fully enclosed area for outdoor play to the rear of the property. 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 eight children who attend on a 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 a balanced range of activities, which contributes to their good health. They undertake regular outdoor activities, walks to school to develop their physical skills. The children like playing outdoors in the garden and exploring their surroundings as they pedal bikes and use the climbing frame. The childminder takes the children on regular outings to the local park to broaden their interest in the environment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children know when they are thirsty, as they help themselves to their beakers and request refills. The childminder demonstrates a sound awareness of children's likes, dislikes and a positive commitment to healthy eating. Children receive nutritious snacks in accordance with parent’s wishes, such as fruit, bread sticks and milk. They bring packed lunches, which the childminder serves and children sit together chattering and developing their social skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm and clean environment, where they learn the importance of personal care. They know why they wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating snacks. Children are developing their understanding of keeping healthy through daily routines due to the childminder's sound approach to hygiene.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children move freely around the childminder’s home safely, both indoors and outdoors as they extend their independence. They are happy and settled in a welcoming and child friendly home where risks are minimised. The childminder spends time helping children learn how to keep themselves safe by talking about acceptable practice, using words appropriate to the children’s level of understanding. Children act out roles as they play talking about being careful in the bath as the water is too hot for the dollies and that it needs to cool down.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Equipment is easily accessible for the children to choose from, as they enjoy looking at books and carrying them carefully around the room. They help themselves to dolls as they extend their imagination, playing with the house and making dinner. All toys and equipment meets safety standards as the childminder completes regular checks to ensure they remain suitable for use. Children are supervised appropriately as the childminder recognises their ages and abilities to allow them to space explore in safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder shows a positive regard for the children’s well-being. She has procedures in place to keep children safe, explaining fire evacuation to them when they are old enough to understand. She holds a valid first aid certificate for working with children and babies. The childminder is aware of the importance of updating her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and new legislation. She has all appropriate documentation in place for recording accidents and medication.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and relaxed at the childminder's home and become very involved in a wide range of stimulating and fun activities. They confidently ask why visitors are there showing

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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 interest in what they are doing. Children demonstrate their independence by requesting activities, such as pencils and crayons, as they play at 'office' making marks on paper and attempting their names, which they in turn show to the childminder. They talk about where they live as the childminder encourages them to think about the number of their house and extend their vocabulary. Children enjoy using different colours as they draw aeroplanes, patterns and make shapes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enthusiastically make choices from easily accessible boxes of toys, games and creative materials suitable for their ages and abilities. They are busy, motivated and absorbed in their play as they act out imaginary games, taking turns to take the dogs for a walk and putting the dollies to bed. Children play imaginatively, planning games using small world foods to enjoy a pretend picnic.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children establish very good relationships with the childminder having fun being hairdressers as they comb and brush the childminder's hair. They demonstrate good self-esteem, as the childminder consistently uses praise and encouragement, when they help to tidy away and stack books with care. The childminder uses lots of opportunities to extend language and progress their play as she introduces letter and number as the draw pictures and write their names.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a varied range of resources and offers activities to promote children's self-esteem. She introduces children to the wider world through positive use of toys and books that promote a balanced view of diversity. Children are confident, as they talk about and share home experiences, make choices and ask questions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and are valued as their needs are well met as the childminder follows agreed daily routines. The childminder recognises the abilities of all the children and supports them to try new skills and undertake new experiences. For example, encouraging children with language and hearing difficulties to listen and build on their understanding. 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 caring and sensitive approach. Parents share information verbally and have built secure relationships with the childminder, to ensure a consistent approach to the care of their children. The childminder has produced a written complaints policy to support her working practice. Children make themselves at home and confidently make decisions about what they want to do.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and make themselves at home in an organised and fun environment, where they are confident and initiate their own play. The childminder shares information verbally with parents on a daily basis and maintains all required records in an organised manner to ensure information is up to date. She has not received a copy of the Ofsted self evaluation form, although she has started to evaluate her practice using the local authority format. The childminder maintains all relevant information on file, including certificates for parents to see.

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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 She has some written policies to support her work and has identified the need to update and review them to ensure they meet changes to regulations.

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Organisation

Flexible planning allows children to make choices to develop their games and imagination. The childminder supports and guides them well to extend their play and learning. All available play space is used to provide children with an interesting and secure environment where they have fun. 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

Recommendations from the previous inspection regarding documentation for accident and medication recording and written permission for taking children in the childminder's car have been successfully addressed. They meet the requirements and support keeping children healthy and safe. The childminder has updated her child protection procedures to ensure parents have a clear understanding of her role in keeping children safe.

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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 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 changes to child protection procedures and new legislation • review systems to support childminding 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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