Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY262947 Unique Reference Number 10 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 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 2003. She lives with her family in Sheffield and has a pet rabbit. The areas of the home used for childminding include the whole of the downstairs and a designated bedroom and the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. She is registered for five children and currently has one child on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children remain healthy because the childminder obtains clear information relating to the children's dietary and personal care through effective discussion with their parents. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy home where a good level of hygiene contributes to their health and welfare. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene through good discussions from the childminder. Suitable arrangements are made for children when they become ill and there is an appropriately maintained accident record. The childminder has up to date first aid training. Parents' written permission is obtained to enable the childminder to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, which promotes children's welfare.

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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 Children enjoy a good range of physical activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They develop self-confidence in their physical skills as they independently access a wide range of indoor and outdoor toys and resources. Children are able to rest and be active according to their needs. They benefit from a healthy diet as they experience a range of healthy snacks including fresh fruit. Children are involved in making healthy snacks and drinks and have discussions about what food is good for you. For example, they discuss that water is better for you than juice and make fresh fruit smoothies. Appropriate measures are taken to store meals provided by parents to ensure these remain fresh until required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. There are good safety measures, indoors and outdoors, that enable children to move freely within the home to increase their confidence and independence. Toys and play resources are well maintained and stored appropriately to enable the children to access them independently and safely. Children are learning about safety through practical experiences and thoughtful discussions alert them to possible dangers and how they can prevent harm to themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessments are completed regularly and effective action is taken to minimise risk. For example, there is a fire blanket, socket covers and smoke alarms, which allow children to move around freely and safely. Gentle reminders alert them to tidy toys away to prevent tripping and increase their awareness of personal safety. They have practised the emergency evacuation plan and have had discussions about exits. However, they have only practised the evacuation once; as a result, children are not fully familiar with the procedure. Children are protected from harm because the childminder understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children take part in good quality activities throughout the day. They play happily, are confident and settled. They interact warmly with the childminder. Good opportunities are used to help children to count and they develop confidence as they assist in simple daily tasks. Children have a high level of independence and use a wide range of excellent play resources to enhance their skills. They enjoy dressing up, sand play and model making. They freely select equipment to extend their play and take age-appropriate responsibility for their personal care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children use a wide range of materials to develop their creative skills. Paint, mark-making materials and collage materials are readily available and children's work is attractively displayed within the home to promote their sense of belonging. Children use their imaginations well and the childminder provides very good opportunities for them to extend this. They pretend to swim in the sea and they love using natural materials within their play, such as real grass in the farm yard.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder works closely with children and encourages them to try interesting and stimulating activities. She plans activities according to children's interest and individual needs and evaluates what she has provided to ensure all children's needs are met. Books are used effectively to stimulate children's interest. Regular story time is used to encourage children to use and enjoy books. The childminder makes effective use of local facilities to increase physical skills and awareness of their surroundings to increase their knowledge of the wider world in which they live. For example, daily walks in the community and visits to the park. The high

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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 quality of play activities and experiences allows children to continually practise and develop a wide range of skills to enhance their overall development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder works effectively with parents to ensure their specific needs are discussed and recorded. They are provided with detailed information to establish clear arrangements to ensure children's individual needs are met. Children develop a positive attitude to others and are learning, through a range of effective methods, to promote positive behaviour. They respond appropriately to requests to tidy away and take turns, and are supported sensitively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Suitable discussions support their awareness of differing backgrounds. Children develop their understanding about the wider world and community through activities about cultural festivals and by having access to a satisfactory range of play resources. The childminder continues to develop her understanding of promoting diversity and difference for children on a daily basis to enable children to develop a wider understanding of themselves and the wider world. 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 children's specific needs. Children are respected as individuals and included fully in the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Space within the home and garden is organised well to maintain a safe environment where the children are actively encouraged to make choices about their play. The childminder plans her day with activities which enhance children's experiences and creates opportunities where they develop many skills through meaningful play situations. As a result, the children are stimulated and eager to learn, contributing to their overall development. All policies and procedures are established and work well in practice to keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare. Effective methods ensure individual needs are clearly recorded and confidentiality is maintained.

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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 further develop her service with appropriate training. She has completed a number of training courses that have enhanced the quality of care and opportunities for children.

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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 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): • review the emergency evacuation procedure to ensure that children regularly practise this.

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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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