Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY333893 Unique Reference Number 22 October 2007 Inspection date Joanne Susan Boon 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 2006. She lives in Sheffield with her partner also a registered childminder, and children aged three and five years. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house and a bedroom upstairs is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and when working jointly with her partner is registered to care for eight children at any one time. The childminder is registered to care for two children overnight. The childminder takes children to local pre-school groups and makes use of local facilities such as the parks and library.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy activities and outings in the fresh air everyday. The childminder places great emphasis on daily physical exercise, such as walking with the children to and from school and the park, to promote a healthy lifestyle. Children have access to an excellent range of play equipment in the childminder's home and garden. The childminder plans interesting and

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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 stimulating activities to develop children's abilities and encourages them to try out new skills, such as using the activity table to encourage 'pulling up' and 'cruising' around the furniture, developing mobility.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from infection by the childminder's clear awareness of health and hygiene guidelines. Children's understanding of the importance of good hygiene is promoted in their everyday routines, for example, to promote a healthy lifestyle the childminder encourages all children to bring a toothbrush to the setting so they can clean their teeth after breakfast. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate which enables her to deal with any accidents or emergencies. This helps her to protect children effectively. She has clear written agreements with parents regarding administration of medication and is aware of how to record accidents appropriately. Parents are clearly informed that sick children cannot be cared for in most situations. The childminder's knowledge of notifiable diseases is good and well documented.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is very well-informed about children's individual dietary needs and can cater for any special requirements. She asks parents to provide children's lunches and snacks to ensure that they are provided with foods they enjoy and to allow the childminder more opportunities to play and care for the children. She does, however, offer nutritious home cooked meals at tea time, such as beef casserole with vegetables and mash. The childminder actively promotes healthy eating by displaying posters suggesting the required amount of fruit for a portion, such as three dried apricots, which the children regularly refer to. She talks with children about healthy choices and encourages children to try new foods, sometimes using a star chart to great effect. Drinks are always available for children to access independently or on request.

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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 very child-friendly home. The childminder organises space and resources very well to reduce potential hazards. She places high priority on safe supervision and assesses risks effectively to promote children's safety and enjoyment. Resources suitable for all ages are available throughout the rooms. She carefully considers the age range present when planning different activities, for example, she bakes biscuits with the older children when the baby is asleep. Children use a broad range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards, helping them to enjoy a wide variety of experiences safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use the whole environment freely and older children can visit the toilet independently. Their awareness of risk and safety is raised in everyday activities. They learn to stay beside the childminder when they are out walking and to hold onto the buggy when crossing the road together. Their risk of accidents is minimised by consistently reinforced safety rules. The childminder has a very well-considered plan for safe evacuation in an emergency which she has discussed with minded children in depth and practises regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding of her responsibilities within child protection procedures. She has attended a training course to improve her existing knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. The childminder shares her responsibilities with regard to child protection issues with parents but has not discussed the importance of recording existing injuries.

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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 good. Children enjoy interesting and fun activities using a wide range of resources which support and challenge their development. They develop confidence as the childminder talks to them and is interested in what they say and do. She finds out what they enjoy and plans experiences to develop new skills and extend their learning. For example, the children make apple crumble but the childminder ensures that they pick the fruits themselves to fully understand the whole process of growing, picking and cooking. Children are also encouraged to develop their own play and explore their environment. One child sits next to the sand tray, he feels, pours and sprinkles the sand, exploring its texture and fluidity. His language skills develop well as the childminder describes what he is doing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become involved in activities that interest them. For example, one child explores two balloons on the floor. He bats them, pulls the knot, squashes them and crawls after them excitedly as the breeze blows them along the floor.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have a strong sense of self-esteem. They are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. Their behaviour is very good and is sensitively supported by the childminder. They begin to understand right from wrong, as they learn to share toys and take turns. The children love listening to stories and can select from a diverse range of interesting books. Music is a constant element within each day. Children can make their own music or listen to a range selected by the childminder to encourage language, numeracy and actions. The childminder is familiar with the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses it to support her in her everyday practice. She has recently attended a briefing session in preparation for the new Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's relationships with the childminder are extremely warm and trusting. Daily routines are relaxed and child-led. A child starts to cry when having their nappy changed, the childminder picks them up for a big cuddle, reassures them and talks soothingly to comfort them. The cuddle settles the child and the childminder is able to carry on with their care routine in a gentle manner. Children make their own suggestions about activities they would like to do, such as pointing at the sand tray and clapping. They are able to access resources independently and plan their own play. They are encouraged to make their own decisions and learn to manage their own needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to share and cooperate as they play and work, supported by a wealth of interesting resources supplied by the childminder. They are helped to feel good about themselves, as the childminder praises them and gives lots of warm encouragement, "Well done" she says when a child experiments with their use of language. The child responds delightedly by clapping and smiling. This reinforces caring behaviour, so that children learn to be kind and helpful to each other. They know that they must be gentle with each other and that unkindness is not allowed. They learn to say 'sorry' if they have upset someone. The childminder plans activities to enable everyone to be involved, for example, a display of photographs depicts how two children baked some chocolate crunchies, the number of utensils they used, the ingredients, the recipe and how good they tasted. The children help to keep the play area tidy by putting toys away when

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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 Children's awareness of their local community is raised well by regular outings. Children walk to the local shops, library, woods and visit the parks. The childminder has several resources which reflect other cultures and abilities and talks to children openly about the importance of recognising everyone's uniqueness. She is aware of the importance of such experiences and is committed to raising children's awareness of difference and diversity. The childminder supports children and families with additional needs well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in very close partnership with parents. She regularly talks with parents about her childcare practice and has detailed written information about her procedures and activities. Each child has a written daily diary completed by the childminder, full of photographs that clearly illustrate each child's different stages of development. A wealth of parenting information and advice is available to all parents from both the childminder and via posters and leaflets displayed in the playroom. All parents commented, in the questionnaires devised by the childminder, on how supportive and professional they find her in all areas of her practice. She actively encourages parents to share any concerns and gives them a copy of her written policy regarding complaints and displays the Ofsted poster.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are cared for within an extremely well-organised and safe environment. Their individual needs are supported by flexible and child-centred planning. The childminder accesses a wealth of local authority training and is very well informed about current childcare practice through her membership of local and national childminding organisations. She is currently studying for the National Vocational Qualification level 3 in Childminding Practice and is a member of the local childminding network. This professional development helps her to plan enjoyable and stimulating experiences for children. The childminder evaluates her own practice very well and in great detail.

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Organisation

Children are kept safe and their welfare is effectively safeguarded by the childminder's understanding and implementation of all the required procedures. She understands requirements with regard to reaching agreements with parents, so that their wishes are clearly understood. The childminder shares information daily with parents about children's activities and care needs, enabling consistency and continuity of care. The registration certificate is suitably displayed. Parents are able to discuss their child's needs and individual care at the start of their placement. The childminder is committed to ensuring that this positive relationship is maintained and continues to develop, to improve the care she offers all children. Parents are given detailed copies of all the polices and clearly informed about the complaints procedure. Additional advice and support regarding child development or parenting issues are available from the childminder

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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

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 provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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): • improve knowledge of child protection procedures with regard to recording existing injuries and informing parents of this procedure.

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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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