Childminder in Rotherham

Inspection report for early years provision

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303180 Unique Reference Number 14 August 2007 Inspection date Lynn Masterman 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 was registered in 1992. She lives with her husband in a small village near Rotherham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. The children have access to a secure outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently minding two children under the age of eight and one child over eight who attend on a part time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school. She takes children on outings and visits local play areas and amenities within the area.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy as they follow the daily routines, which help to promote their awareness of appropriate hygiene practice. For example, the childminder gently reminds the children to wash their hands after visiting the toilet and before meals. Children are protected from illness by the implementation of a suitable exclusion policy, which is shared with parents. This helps

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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 to reduce the risk of cross infection. The childminder has an appropriate first aid certificate and there are suitable systems in place for the management of accidents. However, the systems for recording medication administered to children and sharing information with parents needs to be further developed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy being out in the fresh air and have access to a satisfactory range of outdoor play equipment, such as bikes, scooter, slides, bats and balls. They frequently visit local parks and explore the environment. They search for insects and listen to the different sounds of the birds. Younger children participate in simple games and action songs, which develop their physical stages. Rest routines are incorporated into the daily routine and are agreed with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder offers a flexible arrangement regarding meals and most parents supply children's food. She offers healthy snacks such as apples, melon and pineapple. She has sound knowledge of the children's individual dietary requirements and works in partnership with parents. The childminder ensures children are able to access drinks independently throughout the day. This helps to promote children's well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children begin to understand the rules and everyday practises that keep them safe. For example, children know and understand they are not permitted to jump on the settee as they might fall and hurt themselves. This helps children to learn the consequences of their actions. Appropriate steps are taken to promote children's safety and prevent accidents, such as electrical sockets are inaccessible to children and a safety gate prevents them from entering the kitchen unsupervised. However, the fire blanket is not appropriately sited and fire evacuation procedures are not routinely practised with the children. This compromises children's safety. Children begin to learn about road safety when walking to school or on outings. For example, they know to hold hands and to look and listen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a good range of equipment and play resources. These are well maintained, of a high quality and meet the required safety standards. Resources are checked on a regular basis to ensure they remain safe and suitable for children's use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a reasonable understanding of child protection issues and procedures. She is able to recognise potential indicators of abuse and knows to monitor and record concerns. However, she recognises further training is needed to extend her knowledge and develop her awareness of how additional procedures, such as recording children arriving with existing injuries, further protects children. Consequently, children are not fully safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and content in the secure and welcoming, child friendly environment. They have developed a warm and caring relationship with the childminder. The children respond to the childminder's warm approach and enjoy close physical contact. For example, children sit close to the childminder whilst independently looking at books. She gently strokes their arms as they turn the pages over confidently. This helps children to feel safe and secure.

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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 Children have access to a satisfactory range of freely chosen activities, which promotes their overall development. They are stimulated to build on existing skills as the childminder takes an active role in their play. The children enjoy the opportunity to be creative and use their own imagination. For example, the children draw faces, which include the eyes, nose and ears. The childminder asks children if they think they should add something else, the children reply 'hair'. The childminder asks the children 'will the hair be long or short and is it curly or straight'? This helps children to develop pencil control and co-ordination skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder and children go out on regular trips during the school holidays to places, such as the surrounding local parks and soft play areas. These activities provide children with interesting days out and ensure they become involved and aware of their local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. Her calm approach helps children to feel at ease and they are reassured by affectionate facial expressions. They have a strong sense of belonging and feel part of a wider family. They are familiar with the daily routine and know to tidy away toys before getting ready for lunch. The childminder knows the children well and can recognise when children need a nap. She works in partnership with parents to ensure children's individual needs are successfully met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has an acceptable understanding of promoting children's awareness of equality of opportunity and diversity. They begin to learn about similarities and differences through discussion with the childminder. Children develop a sense of the wider world through a satisfactory range of play resources. This is further enhanced as they participate in local community events to celebrate various cultural festivals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a consistent approach to the management of children's behaviour. Children are well behaved because they have a clear understanding of the 'house rules' for acceptable behaviour. The childminder skilfully recognises some children have difficulty in sharing, taking turns and being part of a group. She makes good use of cooperation toys and games to help children to be respectful towards others and play together harmoniously.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's close and successful working relationship with parents. The childminder regularly exchanges information about the children's day and their achievements. She offers a flexible and supportive service, which effectively meets the needs of children and parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has sufficient knowledge of the National Standards to ensure children's safety and welfare is met. Most statutory documentation is in place and meets the necessary requirements. However, the documentation for recording medication administered to children needs to be more detailed. Children's personal records and the necessary written consents are in place and are stored securely to maintain confidentiality.

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Organisation

Children's well-being is supported because the childminder organises her time, the play resources and the premises to ensure children's individual needs are appropriately met. They enjoy their

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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 time in the childminder's home as they move around with ease and confidence. Overall, evidence suggests that 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 given a number of actions and recommendations. These related to hygiene procedures, safety of the premises, child protection, documentation and written parental consents, and the requirement to complete a first aid course.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has obtained an appropriate first aid certificate and ensures children wash their hands at appropriate times of the day. All locks are fitted to low level cupboards to prevent children from accessing dangerous substances. The childminder has made some improvement to develop her knowledge of child protection issues and procedures. She has obtained a copy of the guideline for safeguarding children and has acceptable knowledge of the indicators of abuse and the procedures to be followed should she wish to express a concern. However, she recognises further training is required to develop her awareness of some practice issues, which contribute to the safeguard of children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Most documentation is now in place with regard to written parental consent to seek emergency treatment or advice, to take children swimming, to take photographs and to take children on outings and transport children in a vehicle. Children's attendance is appropriately recorded and parental consent to administer medication. However, the documentation for recording medication administered to children needs to be further developed to ensure appropriate information is shared with parents. All documentation is retained, stored securely and available for inspection. Overall children's health, safety, welfare and care are promoted appropriately.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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): • develop further the systems for recording medication administered to children • ensure the fire blanket is appropriately sited and children are aware of the appropriate actions to take in case of a fire

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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 • develop further the knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures.

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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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