Childminder in Barnsley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY217971 Inspection date 23 August 2005 Inspector Ingrid Pine

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2002. She lives with her family in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. The house is close to the local school, shops and other amenities. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered for six children. There are three children on roll, two of these are over 8 years of age. The family have a pet dog, cat and a caged bird. The childminder is a member of the local childminding group and the National

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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 Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder has a good awareness of home cleanliness and has appropriate procedures in place. For example, the home is cleaned regularly and all surfaces are treated with anti-bacterial sprays. Also, there are appropriate nappy changing routines in place and the childminder ensures that the dog is kept in a separate pen within the garden. Effective verbally agreed sickness policies and procedures are in place and this helps to minimise the spread of infection between minded children. Children learn and understand the importance of good personal hygiene through consistent daily routines and they become increasingly independent in their personal care. For example, they know and understand the reasons for washing their hands clean after using the toilet and before eating or baking. Children are sufficiently nourished and thrive because the childminder provides a

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Helping children to be healthy

varied and mostly nutritious diet which considers children's preferences. However, these do not include vegetables and so the childminder provides fruit to make up for this. Older children help themselves independently to drinks and babies have pre-prepared bottles which are offered on a regular basis, especially in warm weather, to ensure they do not get thirsty. The children's day is well planned to include regular opportunities for their individual physical development. Nature walks, visits to local play gyms and childcare groups promote their interest in a healthy life style. They also really enjoy playing in the garden on large climbing apparatus, a small trampoline and swings. There is plenty of space, giving children opportunities to play ball games and develop their manoeuvring skills whilst using bikes and other wheeled toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder supervises the children well and they have a good understanding of keeping themselves safe, both indoors and outdoors. For example, older children are reminded to use their hats in the hot sun and to pick up small pieces of equipment so that the younger ones cannot put them in their mouths. Outdoors, the side garden is separated from the front garden, ensuring that younger children are not in danger of walking into the area where there are large swings or where older ones play football. Children are well protected because the childminder has several written policies relating to safety, including child protection and emergency evacuation. Children's risk of injury is minimised as they practise fire safety precautions and develop a strong understanding of road safety. The childminder reinforces this firmly through

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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 good use of established rules and limits such as holding hands in busy places, using pedestrian and school crossing patrols and wearing reins. However, emergency evacuation practices are not recorded. Children move freely and easily around the premises and safely self-select a varied range of high quality age and development appropriate resources which are well organised and accessible.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy, settled and cared for in a warm, welcoming family environment. The childminder provides a varied range of activities and play opportunities that interest children and develop their skills. They communicate well and enthusiastically share information about themselves and their families. For example, they talk about their holidays and proudly point out their own drawings and paintings which are displayed on the walls. Their self-esteem is promoted well as their achievements are acknowledged. A photograph album is used well to illustrate children's activities and they enjoy using this to recall their experiences. The childminder is sufficiently aware of children's individual needs and they are offered purposeful activities that keep them mostly interested and occupied. Children choose their own activities and are confident in attending to their own personal hygiene routines such as going to the toilet and accessing their own drinks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed and treated as part of the family. Their sense of belonging is fostered in the familiar homely environment. Visits to local amenities ensure that children are learning about their own community. They are developing an understanding of the wider world because the childminder provides a good range of resources that increases their awareness of diversity. The also discuss their own experiences such as going on foreign holidays. Children understand responsible behaviour and have a good awareness of the rules and regulations. They learn to share and respect the needs of others. They develop self-esteem and are proud of their achievements. Children make their own decisions. For example, they have a choice of what they wish to eat at mealtimes and self-select their own activities. The childminder tries to accommodate parents' wishes and support children's individual needs. Parents have

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Helping children make a positive contribution

regular opportunities to discuss their children's interests and they are kept sufficiently informed of their progress through daily verbal communication and some written documentation.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Young children feel at home and at ease within the well resourced home environment. Indoor and outdoor space is appropriately organised so that safe play opportunities for children are provided. The children are well supervised and activities are planned to promote their individual well being. However, family commitments sometimes impact on the overall planned routines and organisation of care. A number of clear written policies and procedures have been developed and these help to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. These are available to parents and keep them well informed about the service provided. Children's needs and achievements are shared and discussed regularly through daily verbal and written communication. The childminder has completed various childcare courses and is keen to develop her practice through more training, particular around Birth to three matters or similar

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Organisation

material. The provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve her range of documentation. Since then she has made good progress in compiling a prospectus which contains a number of written policies and procedures. She has also improved the standard of documentation relating to accidents, medication and incidents. These improvement ensure that parents are kept well informed of the provision and children's welfare is promoted.

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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

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 improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure emergency evacuation practices are recorded • develop knowledge of caring for young children by use of Birth to three matters or similar material.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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