Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY339499 Unique Reference Number 22 June 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 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 family in a semi-detached property in Barnsley. The childminder has two children aged eight and 10 years old. Local shops, schools and parks are within walking distance

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, this includes kitchen, lounge, dining room, porch and access to the upstairs bathroom. Children have access to a fully enclosed area for outdoor play to the rear of the property. The family has a pet hamster. Children are escorted to and from the local 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding six children who attend on a part time basis. The childminder holds a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Pre-school Practice.

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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. Children enjoy a wide range of fun and challenging activities that keep them healthy. They happily undertake regular walks to school and the local park to get plenty of fresh air and exercise. Children enthusiastically enjoy playing outdoors and exploring their surroundings. They manage the stairs with increasing confidence. Regular outings to playgroup, the library and parks broaden their interest in the environment. Children are actively involved in recycling and help take the rubbish to the bin.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children recognise when they are hungry or need a drink. They make their needs known to the childminder who follows agreed daily routines. Children sit at the table or in high chairs for snack, enjoying banana and a drink and can easily help themselves to their own cups when they are thirsty. The childminder offers nutritious snacks and serves the children packed lunches they bring from home. This enables parents to monitor what their children eat. The childminder is very aware of children’s likes, dislikes and allergies and demonstrates a high commitment to healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn the importance of good personal care in a warm and clean environment. They take off their shoes indoors and understand when to wash their hands. All the children have their own coloured towels and matching coat pegs. Younger children are starting to show good practice by getting the step for the sink to wash their hands after changing. Children consolidate the importance of good practice through daily routines due to the childminder’s consistent and supportive approach to hygiene.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children negotiate their way around a well planned, welcoming and child friendly home where all risks have been successfully minimised. They move freely from room to room in safety developing their independence. This is due to the childminder spending time talking to them about good practice. They have enjoyed completing topics to look at their environment, including road signs and using pelican crossings in safety. Sensitive reminders help young children remember to take care on the lounge floor so as not to slip. The childminder has an emergency action plan in place and children are aware of escape routes, although she does not have a fire evacuation plan or practised it with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children make active choices of toys, games and activities that meet safety standards. Equipment is organised in labelled boxes around the home for children to easily access. The children explore in safety and make choices about what to do due to the childminder’s high levels of supervision. She recognises their ages and abilities and responds accordingly to give them space to extend their independence. Children are encouraged to tidy away and remove obstacles from the floor to prevent accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates high regard for the children’s well-being. She has developed comprehensive policies and procedures to keep children safe. The childminder 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 attended basic child protection training and is aware of the Local Safeguarding Children Board, however, she has limited knowledge of their

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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 recommendations in regard to her work. The childminder uses the National Childminding Association (NCMA) publications consistently for recording accidents, incidents, medication and concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle very well and become involved in a wide range of stimulating and challenging activities at the childminder’s home. They confidently make choices of activities and plan their own time, due to the childminder offering them space to develop their independence. Children choose from well-planned and set out activities around the home, such as pushing dolls in prams, looking at books and playing with small world figures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enthusiastically make choices of activities suitable for their ages and abilities. They are busy, motivated and absorbed in their play as they use their imagination pushing trains along tracks and making marks with crayons on paper. Children concentrate well as they listen to stories and giggle with delight. The childminder plans daily activities and topics for the children based on the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the Foundation Stage guidance. She records the children progress and makes books to support themes and outings to consolidate their learning. The childminder makes effective use of photographs to support the activities the children enjoy and shares these photographs with parents on a regular basis.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children establish very good relationships with the childminder as they play together, having fun and building on what they know. They demonstrate high levels of self-esteem, as the childminder continually praises them for achievements and efforts. She uses every opportunity to extend language and introduce new vocabulary to progress the children’s play. The childminder use numbers, colour recognition and print as part of activities and displays around the home. Photographs show children involved in a wide range of interesting activities, including baking, growing seeds, making bookmarks and feeding horses. Older children enjoy producing no-smoking posters and checking the weather for the board as part of daily routines and topics.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children enjoy playing with a wide range of quality toys, books and games that promote their self-esteem. This is due to the childminder effectively planning activities and providing resources to introduce children to the wider world and promote a positive view of diversity. They happily look at picture books, share home experiences and talk about differences. Children are confident to ask questions and make active choices.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s behaviour is good as they are valued and respected. They follow agreed daily routines they know well including walks to school, the library and local park. The childminder knows the children well and recognises their individual abilities as she sensitively supports them to try new skills. She plans activities that introduce them to new experiences to help them develop the knowledge and understanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder’s sensitive and caring approach ensures that the children respect each other and learn positive behaviours. Parents share information and are developing excellent relationships with the childminder, which in turn ensures a consistent approach to the care of the children. The childminder uses NCMA publications and is developing her own to complement her records. She completes daily diaries to record what the children do and inform of their

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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 routines, in turn parents add any relevant information they need the childminder to know. She maintains a file of information, including policy information and welcome booklet, and informs parents as changes are made. 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 good. Children are relaxed, happy and confidently make themselves at home in a well-organised environment. They happily initiate their play and involve the childminder as needed. The childminder maintains comprehensive records in a well-organised manner ensuring all information is up to date. She has files of information including certificates, suitability clearance and children’s records. The childminder maintains her records confidentially and they are secure in a locked file. The childminder compiled a comprehensive range of policies and procedure prior to taking on a placement, however, these have not been updated to support the changes to her working practice. The childminder demonstrates a high commitment to personal development, having completed numerous courses to support her work.

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Organisation

The childminder plans activities based on the 'Birth to three matters' framework and curriculum guidance. She has a flexible approach, which responds to the children, allowing them space to make choices and plan their own time. The childminder sensitively supports and guides them to extend their play and learning. Creative use of all available play space provides 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 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):

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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 • consider further developing a fire escape plan with the children • develop an understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board recommendations • review policy and procedures to support changes to working practices.

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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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