Childminder, Out-of school day care in Rotherham

Inspection report for early years provision

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303100 Unique Reference Number 06 July 2007 Inspection date Angela Howard 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 2001. She lives with her partner and two children aged seven and three years. They live in South Anston, a large residential area in the borough of Rotherham. The whole of the ground floor, plus toilet facilities and one bedroom on the first floor of the premises is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She currently has three children under eight years and two children over eight-years-old on roll. The childminder walks to take and collect children from the local school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very clean and comfortable environment, where the childminder ensures that good hygiene standards are maintained. Children learn about personal hygiene

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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 as part of daily routines. For example, they wash hands before and after eating, after using the toilet and after outdoor play. This results in children actively learning about personal hygiene. The childminder has a clear policy about the care of sick children, and arrangements for administering first aid are appropriate. However, the records for recording administration of medication lack some detail.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a variety of wholesome fresh food daily, which encourages children to have five portions of fruit and vegetables each day. They have free access to drinks of milk, water and sugar free and fresh fruit juice. Children are well aware of their own bodily needs as they access drinks freely. They enjoy cherry tomatoes and cucumber for starters and enjoy making pizza from fresh wholesome ingredients. The childminder works in partnership with parents to meet children's individual likes, dislikes and dietary requirements. This results in children being well nourished, and as a result they develop an understanding of healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have plenty of opportunities to participate in a vast amount of physical activities. They access a very well equipped outdoor play area which develops their gross and fine motor skills. They explore, test and develop physical control as they jump on the trampoline, pedal bikes and use scooters. Children are very confident at catching and kicking balls and enjoy digging in the sand. They are keen to visit the local park each day to climb run and jump on large equipment. The childminder ensures that children enjoy regular fresh air and exercise, which contributes to their good health in a very positive manner.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder identifies and minimises the risks for children in the home, according to the ages of the children minded. This ensures she provides a safe environment in which children can move around freely and safely. There are effective safety measures in place, such as locks on low-level kitchen cupboards and sharp knives, scissors and the kettle are out of reach. Socket covers are in place and external doors are kept locked. Therefore, children can independently access all areas of the ground floor. Children are appropriately supervised as the childminder ensures they remain within her sight at all times. The outdoor play area is fully enclosed and the gate has a padlock fitted. Good fire precautions are in place. For example, smoke alarms are in working order, the fire blanket is wall mounted and the fire evacuation practises are completed with the children. Therefore, children remain safe and secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are effectively organised so that children can move around freely and easily. The equipment and toys are organised well to ensure children can access them easily and safely. Children access a very broad and extremely well balanced range of equipment that is maintained to a very high standard. All items are in good condition and conform to safety standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear knowledge and understanding of the child protection procedures. She understands her responsibility to ensure children are protected and is able to recognise some indicators of abuse. Therefore, children are safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Very warm and caring relationships are evident between the childminder and the minded children. They respond well to the childminder's calm, quiet approach and the clear explanations and support given. The childminder is kind and attentive and is sensitive to children's individual

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 needs. Throughout the visit, she gives lots of reassurance and stays physically close to help them feel secure. This ensures that children feel happy, settled and secure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children demonstrate a great deal of enjoyment during their play as they happily play together and are beginning to take turns and share. For example, they share the dolls car and take turns to use the scissors. The childminder is very attentive, she listens and skilfully extends the children's vocabulary. For example, when making a picture with different coloured tissue paper she talks about 'it being green like grass or a lighter green like an apple' and encourages them to discuss which animals may live in long grass and where polar bears live. Children decide they need white paper for the polar bears because they live in the snow in the North Pole. This results in children being further challenged and means their learning is extended.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very settled in the supportive and secure environment. The childminder has a very good settling in procedure and works extremely closely with parents to ensure daily routines meet children's individual requirements. Therefore, all children are made welcome and play a full part in the activities on offer. Children have a strong sense of belonging and are at ease in the childminder's care. She knows the children well and is able to respond to their individual needs successfully. All children are treated with equal concern and can take part in activities that are appropriate to their age and stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have equal access to all resources and are beginning to learn about the wider world through using books, role play equipment and dolls that positively address diversity. However, the childminder only has a basic understanding of how to effectively reflect equal opportunities in day-to-day practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A clear and consistent approach to managing children's behaviour effectively encourages children to behave well. They happily follow the guidance of the childminder who is a positive role model. She encourages children to share, cooperate and follow simple house rules. This results in children learning right from wrong in a caring and sensitive environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The highly effective and positive approach towards working in partnership with parents and carers results in a successful and trusting relationship being established. Ongoing daily verbal communication ensures parents are kept up-to-date about their child's care. Due to this positive attitude, children's needs are continually met and children remain settled in the childminders care. This clearly contributes to the children's overall well-being.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The environment and structure of the day is well organised to allow children to make choices. This means they can initiate their own play and learning which promotes their independence and gives them ownership of their play. They are comfortable in the predictable environment and move around with confidence, promoting their sense of security and their emotional well-being. Clear aims for the children's care work very well in practice promoting their sense of security and their emotional well-being. The childminder clearly considers children's needs and it is very evident she has formed strong relationships with the children in her care.

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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 All documentation is kept in a well organised and professional manner and far exceeds requirements. It is stored with a high regard for confidentiality. Children are kept safe and their welfare is fully safeguarded by the childminder's clear and comprehensive understanding and implementation of well-written policies and procedures. This effectively promotes the welfare, care and learning of children. The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities and organises her service effectively to promote children's care and well-being. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection five recommendations were made relating to documentation, safety and the need to develop the childminders understanding and knowledge of child protection issues.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has attended a child protection course to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. Therefore, children are safeguarded. She has reviewed her documentation and now includes children's arrival and departure times in the daily attendance register. She has appropriate written consents in place and has fitted a smoke alarm on the first floor of the premises. Therefore, children remain safe.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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): • improve documentation on administration of medication • improve overall knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities and how to implement this with young children in everyday practice.

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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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