Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY271374 Unique Reference Number 17 April 2007 Inspection date Jennifer Anne Marsh 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 months and five years in a quiet residential area of Auckley in Doncaster. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, with the addition of the bathroom and two children's bedrooms on the first floor. There is an 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 four children under eight years and has children on roll for various sessions in the week, including children aged over eight years. However, no children were present at the time of the inspection. The childminder has access to a car for local outings and school collections. She 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 satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of how children's good health is promoted. She described how children learn the importance of personal hygiene through lots of discussion and their daily routines. For example, all children understand to remove their outdoor shoes, and wash and dry their hands after playing outside, before food and after touching the family pets. The childminder reminds children about the spread of germs and the importance of why children should flush the toilet and put their hand over their mouth when sneezing or coughing. There are good hygiene practices implemented by the childminder to reduce the risk of contamination. She has systems in place to gather information and support parents regarding medical needs, dietary requirements and allergies.

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Helping children to be healthy

From discussion and photographs the childminder demonstrates that she provides children with some nutritious meals and snacks to maintain their good health. For example, homemade pasta dishes and snacks of fresh fruit, with drinks of fresh juice, water or milk. There are regular opportunities for children to bake and enjoy their homemade produce.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder shows sound knowledge of the importance of children receiving physical exercise to enhance their development and good health. Children bring suitable outdoor clothing so that they can enjoy the outdoors whatever the weather. Photographs suggest that children enjoy lots of visits to the park and local farms.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has taken action to ensure that risks in and outside the home are suitably minimised, so that children access a safe and secure environment. Equipment is sufficient in quantity, good quality and well maintained. The play resources are organised suitably in low storage, promoting opportunities for children to freely access them. The older children have discussed and understand the house rules and boundaries to maintain their safety around the home. They have been shown where to exit the premises in the case of emergency, although this has not been practised and therefore compromises their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

On outings, the children are carefully monitored by the childminder. She ensures that basic safety precautions are implemented in order to protect children from danger. For example, public places are thoroughly checked for glass and other hazards before children's play to ensure they remain free from harm. The childminder explained how children learn how to keep themselves safe when out and about. She talks to the children all the time about road safety, watching out for cars, keeping away from the road edge and stepping back onto the grass verge as cars pass by. Through discussion with the childminder, older children are able to respond to emergency situations in a calm manner.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear knowledge of her responsibilities regarding child protection; she understands possible indicators and procedures for reporting any concerns. However, written procedures are not fully in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board's procedures.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Through children's photographs and discussion, the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how children progress and learn. She describes how children are welcomed into a warm and welcoming environment where they are treated as part of the family. There are sufficient resources to enable children to freely make choices about their play. The childminder states that during school holidays they plan together activities that they will all enjoy. At other times she acts on spontaneity directed from the children's own interests, particularly in collage and craft activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The pictures on display reflect that children are involved in a broad range of activities and craft work that they enjoy. For example, they have made Easter pictures using a variety of textured collage materials. Children have made their own menu for a café with prices. On return from school, they take turns to role play their café in the wooden playhouse in the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder describes how she has become a very supportive role model to the older children, developing their confidence to independently try to explore new skills, whether it be at school or in her care. For example, she explains giving children opportunities and time to learn a new skill of climbing down a large pole at the park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates well how an effective partnership with parents has been established, to enable her to meet children's individual needs. The parents comment positively in writing about the friendly atmosphere, a home-from-home environment for the children, and the wide range of interesting activities available to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows a sound knowledge of managing children's behaviour, giving good examples of how she approaches a variety of situations for children of different ages. She ensures she takes time to listen to children and let them have their say. Through praise and discussion about boundaries, children's self-esteem is raised and they feel confident about themselves and settled in the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are basic resources which reflect positive images of diversity. Most of children's knowledge and understanding about the world around them is mainly gained through local visits in the community. The childminder continues topics that children are learning about at school and, importantly, encourages talking and listening about each other's similarities and differences.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. There were no minded children present during the inspection. Through discussion, observation and documentation, the childminder demonstrated how well she organises space and resources that allow children to move and independently make choices within the setting. The day is suitably planed to meet the children's needs, allowing time for lots of active play and relaxation.

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Organisation

The childminder is aware of regulatory procedures and continues to update her clear written policies to meet these requirements. However, information for parents regarding any concerns about the service is not readily available to them. The childminder shows continuing commitment

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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 to enhance her knowledge of childcare through relevant training. 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 agreed to increase resources that reflect anti-discriminatory practice and to request emergency medical consent from parents or carers. There is now a variety of toys that reflect equal gender and a small range of resources that enhance children's understanding of diversity. There is written consent for emergency treatment, which helps safeguard children in the event of an emergency.

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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 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): • ensure that the child protection procedure complies with those of the Local Safeguarding Children Board • practise an emergency escape plan.

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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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