Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344026 Unique Reference Number 16 July 2007 Inspection date Geneen Yvonne Hulse-Brown 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 has been registered since January 2007. She lives with her family in a detached property in Sheffield. Local shops, schools and parks are within walking distance. The childminder has three grown up daughters and six grandsons.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, this includes a kitchen-cum-dining room, lounge, conservatory and downstairs toilet. Upstairs access is to the bathroom and two bedrooms. Children have access to a fully enclosed area for outdoor play to the rear of the property. Children are escorted to and from the local nursery and school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding six children who attend on a part time basis. Overnight care is available for two children under eight years. The childminder is well experienced in caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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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. Children undertake a balanced variety of activities that helps them understand about being healthy. They enjoy regular outdoor activities and walks to develop their physical skills. Children have fun outdoors, exploring the garden, finding snails and playing ball games. They happily climb, push dolls in prams, pedal bicycles and negotiate the step to outside with increasing confidence. Children decide between playing indoors and outside as the childminder keeps the patio doors open for them to choose. Regular outings to the local playgroup, mobile library van, walks to the shops and trips further afield help the children broaden their interest in the environment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are starting to recognise when they are hungry and thirsty and ask for drinks when they need them. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of the needs of young children offering them regular drinks and recognising when they are tired and in need of a rest. Parents of young children bring meals for their children, which the childminder stores appropriately. She serves healthy and nutritious meals and snacks to all children in her care and involves the older children in the preparation of snacks. The childminder has a sound awareness of the children’s likes, dislikes and allergies, demonstrating a positive commitment to healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean environment where they learn the importance of personal care. They know why they wash their hands before eating and after being changed and the older children have made hand print pictures for the bathroom as a reminder. The childminder demonstrates a consistent approach to hygiene which, in turn, helps the children learn good practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming and child friendly home, as the childminder takes care to minimise all potential risks by conducting daily checks. They develop safe practice as they move around the home both indoors and outside with increasing confidence. The childminder supports the children in learning how to keep themselves safe as she reminds them to take care when climbing. She uses language appropriate to the children’s level of understanding to help them develop good practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children make choices from a variety of toys and equipment that meets safety standards. They choose from boxes stored at floor level around the house and a good range of outdoor toys. The childminder regularly changes toys and books to maintain the children’s interest. Children develop their independent skills as the childminder maintains good levels of supervision, appropriate to their ages and abilities. She allows them space to explore and choose what they want to do in a safe and secure environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a positive regard for children’s well-being as she has started to produce written policies to support her work and keep children safe. She holds a valid first aid certificate for working with children and babies and has a secure understanding of child protection issues and procedures. She has a basic awareness of the Local Safeguarding Children Board recommendations, although she has not attended up to date training. The childminder

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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 has devised her own systems to record accidents, incidents and medication, ensuring she obtains parents signatures and maintains these records confidentially.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy, settle well at the childminder’s home and soon become involved in a broad range of fun activities. The childminder sensitively reassures young children with cuddles as their parents leave and distracts them with favourite toys and books to help them settle. Children develop their confidence and independence, as they help themselves to activities and choose where to play, for example, looking for balls outside and making drinks in the play kitchen.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy exploring the garden, seeking out minibeasts and moving in and out as they please. They have fun making choices from boxes of toys both indoors and outside, playing with the telephone and climbing on the slide. The childminder has a basic activity plan appropriate to the age of the children in her care. The children make choices from boxes of toys, books, games and creative materials suitable for their abilities. They become absorbed in their play as they act out roles when dressing up, building and modelling play dough. Young children listen intently to stories and they enjoy cuddles from the childminder when they are tired and ready for a rest. The childminder has a copy of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and has identified this as an area for development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children establish very good relationships with the childminder, playing games, having fun and building on what they know. They demonstrate good self-esteem, as the childminder uses praise and encouragement for attempts and achievements. The childminder uses many opportunities to extend language and progress their play. She introduces number and colours when looking at books and talks to the children to extend and introduce new vocabulary. Children enjoy looking a photograph albums of themselves at play and use them to recall happy events, such as baking buns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy playing with an appropriate range of resources and undertake fun activities that promote their self-esteem. This is due to the childminder promoting a positive view of diversity and effectively using resources to introduce children to the wider world. She has started to compile photograph albums and build up her collection of books to prompt discussion with children and provide opportunities for them to share their home experiences. Children are confident to make choices and ask questions to extend their understanding. They enjoy regular outings to the park, walks and visits to the play bus to develop their understanding of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Daily routines ensure that children's needs are suitably met and they behave well. All children are valued and respected as the childminder recognises their individual abilities and offers support to try new skills and experiences. She has a secure knowledge of all the children in her care and plans appropriately to extend and support them. She recognises when they are tired and need reassurance to help settle them, responding accordingly. The childminder is well experienced in caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities, through her role as a foster parent and school support worker. She offers a warm and caring approach to all children and is respectful of individuals.

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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 learn good behaviour and respect for each other due to the childminder's sensitive approach. Parents are able to share information and develop secure relationships with the childminder, ensuring a consistent approach to the care of the children. The childminder uses daily diaries to record what the children do and inform of their general routines. This is an aid to communication as parents can write notes for the childminder to keep her informed of home events. She has only been childminding for a few months and is still in the process of developing systems and information files to support her work. The childminder has limited information regarding Ofsted's complaints procedure and does not have a written statement for parents, although she demonstrates a basic knowledge of what to do in the event of receiving a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

complaint. Children are secure, happy and confidently make decisions about what they want to do at their childminder's.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and relaxed, making themselves at home in an organised environment. They are confident to initiate their own play and make choices about what to do. The childminder has started to develop systems to share information with parents on a daily basis and maintains all required records in an organised manner. She plans to review these processes to ensure all information is kept up to date. She is in the process of putting together files of information, including certificates and photograph albums, although they do not yet fully support her working practice. All children's records are kept confidential and secure. The childminder had not seen the Ofsted self-evaluation form prior to inspection.

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Organisation

The childminder's flexible planning allows children space to make choices and plan their own time. She sensitively supports and guides them to extend their play and learning. All available play space is well used to provide children with a stimulating and challenging environment. 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

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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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 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 an understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board recommendations • provide a written statement for parents that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint • continue to develop systems to support the organisation of the service offered.

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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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