Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY344048 Unique Reference Number 04 June 2007 Inspection date Tracey Jane Outram 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged three and five years in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Most areas of the home are used for childminding purposes; the minded children may access the first floor play room and the whole of ground floor of the property. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The area has good transport links and there is access to shops, children's play areas and parks. Schools and pre-school facilities for younger children are situated in the locality. The childminder takes children to and from local schools and pre-school groups as required. The childminder is registered to care for four children when she is working alone and eight children when her assistant is present, there are seven children on roll. Overnight care is provided.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds a Level 3 early years qualification.

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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. Good working practice effectively promotes the children's good health, for example, the childminder places high importance on the value of fresh air and exercise. The children are provided with many opportunities to visit local play areas and access the rear garden where they access an extensive range of physical play equipment. Consequently, they develop a positive attitude towards exercise, which aids their strength, balance and coordination skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

The premises are very clean and the toys and equipment are frequently washed in order to maintain good standards of cleanliness. Additionally, the childminder ensures that effective procedures are in place to maintain good personal hygiene. For instance, the children brush their teeth after eating and have the use of individual face cloths and hand towels to reduce the likelihood of cross- infection. The arrangements for first aid are good, this leads to children being suitably cared for in the event of an accident or emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children benefit from a nutritious diet and they learn about foods which are healthy. The childminder agrees the daily menus with parents and she takes precautions to ensure that children are not exposed to foods they dislike, or which may cause an allergic reaction. At meal times the children's self-help skills are actively encouraged, they serve themselves and are confident to make choices. The childminder implements some creative ways of encouraging the children to eat a balanced diet, for example, they enjoy completing daily record sheets in order to calculate their daily portions of fruit and vegetables.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is very warm and welcoming. Free space is well organised and children's art work is prominently displayed to create a bright and interesting learning environment. The children have safe access to all areas of the home that are used for childminding. The playroom on the first floor of the home is very child friendly and houses an excellent range of resources, which are hygienic and safe. The equipment is stored within easy reach of the children and it is provided specifically to ensure that children have plenty of stimulation and challenge.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's consistent level of careful supervision contributes to keeping children safe and reduces the risk of any accidental injury. She completes comprehensive risk assessments and takes positive steps to ensure that the indoor and outdoor play areas remain secure and free from hazards. As a result, the children remain safe and risks to their well-being are reduced. Additionally, the childminder effectively raises children’s awareness of the fire evacuation plan and on outings children are helped to learn about road safety and 'stranger danger'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of some of the signs and indicators of child abuse and neglect. She has attended child protection training and has a written policy, which is shared with parents. However, she does not hold up to date information on the local procedures for raising child protection concerns.

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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. The childminder has a very good understanding of children's development. As a result, the children's learning is promoted effectively and play opportunities are maximised. For instance, the children are able to access many well planned activities, which encourage them to develop their ideas and play in a supportive and non-pressured environment. The childminder understands that children are all individuals and they learn at different rates; she is supportive and sensitive to the children's needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are very settled, confident and happy with the childminder because she has established warm and caring relationships with them. They demonstrate enjoyment during their play and a good ability to concentrate. They use a variety of equipment, for example, arts and crafts materials, puzzles and role play equipment, all of which help children to develop skills, such as naming colours and counting. The childminder talks to the children and listens attentively to what they have to say. Overall, the children enjoy exploring a wide range of activities, which effectively contribute to their social, emotional, physical and intellectual development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children's behaviour is managed well. The childminder is considerate to the children's feelings and very competent at encouraging them to share and take turns. She talks to the children in language that they can understand and she skilfully uses a good range of behaviour management techniques, such as maintaining consistent boundaries and offering clear explanations of the simple house rules.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children's awareness of equal opportunities and diversity is fostered effectively through the celebration of festivals and the use of a good and varied range of play resources. In addition, the children benefit from accessing a wide variety of non-gender stereotyped play materials. The childminder treats all children with equal concern. She is keen to ensure that the children develop good self-esteem, therefore, the children receive lots of positive reinforcements. Additionally, photographs of the children are taken and displayed in order to increase their sense of worth and construct a positive self-image.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very positive approach to working with parents. She makes time to talk and provides clearly written information about children’s daily activities. Parents' wishes for their children are actively addressed and the childminder frequently sends out questionnaires in order to adapt her service to meet individual requirements.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The service is efficiently organised to meet the children's individual care, learning and play needs. They enjoy a good balance of inside and outside play opportunities along with numerous local outings. The premises are spacious and children are able to move around freely and safely. The childminder takes positive action to ensure that children have access to a challenging range of resources and she fully encourages the children to explore and play in a safe and stimulating environment. The childminder has a commitment to attending further training to improve outcomes for the children in her care. She holds a Level 3 certificate in childcare and has attended an approved local authority childminder's training course.

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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 Written documentation is available to parents in the form of a childminding portfolio. The childminder ensures that they are kept informed of all aspects of the childminding service, including what to do if they need to make a complaint. The children's personal records are all up-to-date and well ordered, they are stored securely in order to maintain children's privacy. Other documentation, such as written parental consents, registers of attendance and incidents records fully meet requirements and add to the efficient management of the service. However, records relating to the use of the assistant are not fully developed. 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. 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): • takes steps to increase knowledge and understanding of the local child protection procedures • maintain a record detailing when an assistant is used to care for the children.

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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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