Childminder, Out-of school day care in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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503480 Unique Reference Number 31 July 2007 Inspection date Sarah Gilpin 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 2001. She lives with her husband and their two children aged five and nine years in Sheffield. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, bathroom facilities are on the first floor and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 and is currently caring for four children who attend on a full and part time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and makes use of local facilities, such as the park and library. The family have two large dogs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 good. The childminder ensures that children are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment, because she understands and implements good hygiene practices. She makes sure that she cleans food preparation areas using anti-bacterial spray regularly and uses paper towels instead of dish cloths to minimise the risk of cross contamination. As a result, the children's good health is actively promoted. Young children are learning about their own personal hygiene because the childminder sets a good example and provides resources, such as individual hand wipes, and reminds them about hand washing before they sit down to eat meals and snacks. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and she keeps comprehensive records of all bumps and scrapes involving the children in her care. There is a clear system for obtaining consent from the parents in order for the childminder to seek emergency treatment for all of the children in

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder understands that young children's physical health and well being is important. They enjoy regular access to the extensive garden and the local parks. The childminder takes the children on walks with the family dogs and they walk to toddler group when the weather is fine. The childminder successfully encourages the children to be independent and she carefully monitors them as they potter around the house. She works with parents to ensure that children's sleep routines are consistent, for example, by providing sleep facilities, which suit their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of what constitutes a healthy diet for the children. She is happy to accommodate the parents' wishes and stores any foods they provide for their children appropriately. She helps parents to develop the range of foods they provide for their children by giving them information leaflets about healthy packed lunches. The childminder asks parents to provide detailed information about their children's dietary needs, before she starts to care for them. This means that the children are not exposed to any foods that may cause an allergic reaction, and are provided with foods they enjoy, which helps them to feel settled.

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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 safe and secure indoor and outdoor environment because the childminder takes appropriate steps to minimise hazards. For example, safety gates are used to limit access to the first floor, kitchen and garden and potential risks are avoided when they play because they are closely supervised. Fire safety precautions, such as smoke detectors are in place, however, the childminder does not routinely practise her emergency evacuation with the children to raise their awareness of fire safety. The childminder considers the children's safety carefully, for example, when on outings with three small children she seeks the support of other registered providers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a very good range of toys and resources, which young children can access safely because they are set out at their level. There are suitable high chairs to enable the younger children to sit with the older ones safely as they draw together and when they eat their meals. The indoor and outdoor equipment available meets the required safety standards and the childminder maintains and cleans the toys and resources on a regular basis.

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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 The childminder has a good understanding of her role in safeguarding children and dealing with child protection issues. She demonstrates a clear awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. She uses the existing injury records to monitor the children in her care and has a clear system in place to record and report any concerns relating to the minded children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder uses her experience and her knowledge of child development to plan a routine of morning outings and afternoon home-based play activities. There are regular opportunities for the children to socialise with their peers when they visit the local playgroup and meet with other registered childminders and their children. The children have lots of choice about what they do because the toys are rotated and easily accessible. The childminder has a growing knowledge of the elements within the 'Birth to three matters' framework because she has attended training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are warm and affectionate relationships between the children and the childminder and as a result the children are secure and comfortable. The childminder enjoys playing with the children, she gets down to their level and is actively involved in their play. She talks frequently to the children, helping them to learn, for example, helping the younger children to name the colours of the paint they are using. The childminder knows the individual children well and provides activities and experiences that are appropriate to their age and stage of development. There are regular creative and craft play opportunities, such as sticking and painting for which there is a variety of resources. Children are happy to potter around choosing from the toys that the childminder has set out for their enjoyment. They independently look at books and seek out the childminder to share a quick story. The childminder is aware that young children's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

communication is important and has worked in partnership with the parents to extend the use of simple sign language to aid the non verbal communication.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder ensures that children are developing their awareness of other people and the world around them, by providing them with books, resources and activities that show positive images of disability and the diversity of society. The children's understanding of the local community and environment is growing because the childminder takes them out in the local area to socialise with other children. For example, they go to playgroup and the local park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good and the childminder effectively manages them using positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviour. They respond really well to the her warm and positive approach and she uses techniques, such as distraction with the younger children to successfully redirect them to a different task or activity. As a result, the children are busy and engaged throughout the day. The childminder helps them to develop their understanding of what is right and wrong because she sets clear boundaries and is consistent.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has positive relationships with the parents and understands the benefits of working in partnership with them. Information is shared through easy going verbal exchanges as the children arrive and depart. The childminder informed parents of her impending inspection and they demonstrate their complete satisfaction with the service provided through written comments that are shared with the inspector. The childminder has a good understanding of the regulations regarding the recording of complaints.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder ensures that children are cared for in a well organised environment and she enables them to access resources easily because she rotates them and arranges them at their level. She provides a variety of fun activities each week, planning around the children's age and stage of development. There is a routine for the children to enjoy, such as home-based play and outings to the local park and play group where they have chance to socialise with their peers. As a result, the children are happy and confident.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good understanding of the National Standards and had carefully prepared for the inspection. She is well organised and all of the required documentation to support the care of the children is in place. For example, written agreements are clear and child record forms are detailed. She accurately records the children's attendance each day and accident and medication records provide information for parents.

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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 the childminder was asked to improve her knowledge of equal opportunities. As a result, the childminder has developed her knowledge and demonstrates an awareness of how to promote equality for the children she cares for.

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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): • help to raise children's awareness of their own safety through practising the fire evacuation plan.

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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 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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