Elvin, Penny

Inspection report for early years provision

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300590 Unique Reference Number 12 September 2007 Inspection date Yvonne Victoria Facey 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 1999. She lives with her family in Sheffield close to local shops, schools and the park. The ground floor rooms and first floor bedrooms are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden which is available for outdoor play. The family has a dog. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children and there is one minded child on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are provided with an environment that is clean and suitably maintained. They are kept healthy through the childminder's suitable understanding of the need for effective health and hygiene practices. Children's understanding of personal hygiene is reinforced through daily routines, general reminders and simple explanation. Suitable arrangements are in place for children who have an accident and when administering medication. However, there is no permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice.

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Helping children to be healthy

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 discusses with parents children's individual eating and sleeping routines and ensures their individual needs are successfully met. Children are provided with regular drinks and nutritious snacks which includes fresh fruit. Their understanding of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle is promoted through simple discussion and practical activities. For example, children make healthy ice pops with fresh fruit juice and the childminder has discussions with them about the importance of five fruits and vegetables a day. Children are kept free from infection through the understanding of parents not to bring children who are unwell. Children enjoy a wide variety of physical activities. Regular access to outdoor play area, visits to parks and soft play area allow children to develop their all round physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well cared for in a safe and secure indoor and outdoor environment. For example, doors are always kept locked and children are well supervised at all times. The childminder ensures that space and resources are suitably organised to allow children to move freely and independently. Toys and resources are safe, suitable and appropriate to children's needs. The childminder ensures toys in need of replacement meet standards which keep children safe from harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe by the childminder promoting their understanding of personal safety well. For example, children keep themselves safe through following simple rules of the home, such as not running or climbing as they may hurt themselves or someone else. When taken on walks the childminder promotes children's understanding of road safety through following the Green Cross Code when crossing the road. Children are safeguarded as the childminder understands her responsibility to monitor and share concerns when appropriate. Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's sound understanding of her responsibilities within child protection procedures, although she is not yet fully familiar with the new procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are provided with a very good, wide variety of interesting and purposeful resources and activities which promote their creative and imaginative skills. The childminder promotes children's understanding of language, colour and shape through everyday activities. Children have access to a good variety of books, colourful alphabet and number posters, and sound Lotto. They benefit from the childminder's very good understanding of her role in promoting children's learning. They enjoy dancing on the dance mat and playing charades which they make with familiar photos. This gives children very good opportunities to express themselves as they act out the various actions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive lots of support and encouragement which allows them to be confident learners. Parents receive verbal information about their child's progress. Children enjoy very warm and caring relationships with the childminder, who extends their learning through appropriate questioning and positive interaction. This promotes children's self-confidence and self-esteem well. Their learning is further enhanced as the childminder thoroughly enjoys planning and providing various stimulating activities.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs and welfare are well promoted and met through the childminder's positive relationships with parents. Children are very well behaved. They have a very good understanding of right and wrong through simple discussion and explanation about the need to follow the house rules. Children are respected as individuals and included fully in the setting. They benefit from the positive attitude and good understanding of the childminder with regard to promoting diversity and equal opportunities. For example, children are encouraged to play with all toys and participate in all activities. Children's understanding and awareness of their needs and those of others is well promoted through simple discussion. The childminder is aware that some children may have a range of learning difficulties or disabilities. She is able to adapt routines and work with other agencies and parents to meet specific needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parent’s views and wishes are respected and carried out through the sharing of information with regard to the individual needs of children. There is a complaints book but the childminder is not fully aware of full procedure. As a result parents are not suitably informed of what to do if they have a complaint. This is a breach of regulations.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are well settled and benefit from a generally well managed, warm and caring environment, and regular routines. They enjoy their time in the setting and are able to self-select from a balanced range of resources and activities. The home is suitably organised and available space ensures children are able to move around freely and explore their environment. Adult-child ratios are met and the childminder provides appropriate levels of care and supervision.

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Organisation

The childminder manages her recording systems adequately, storing them appropriately to maintain confidentiality. The childminder has most of the required documentation in place. Although, the complaints policy is not fully up-to-date and written permission to seek emergency medical treatment is not obtained. The certificate of registration is shared with parents at the initial visit, however, it is not displayed. This is a breach in the conditions of registration. Written policies and procedures are used to promote the welfare and care of the children. They are shared with parents to keep them suitably informed about the service provided. Although

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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 previous inspection the childminder was asked to develop her understanding of the child protection procedures. The childminder did gather relevant information, although she is not familiar with the current guidelines.

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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 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): • obtain permission to seek emergency medical treatment and advice • ensure that the certificate of registration is displayed • review the complaints and child protection policy and procedures to ensure they are in line with current guidelines and requirements

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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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