Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY267627 Unique Reference Number 29 August 2007 Inspection date Yvonne Victoria Facey 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 2003. She lives in Sheffield with her husband and two children aged five and 12 years. She is currently registered to care for a maximum of five children under the age of eight. There are currently four children on roll. The whole of the ground floor plus the first floor bathroom is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy various opportunities for physical play and fresh air. They have fun playing in the garden. These activities contribute to their health and well-being. Children benefit from regular trips to the park where they can run freely and safely and develop physical skills using adventure play equipment. Children are offered activities to help them develop their fine motor skills, such as collage and drawing.

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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 Children are developing an understanding of simple hygiene routines as they are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times, for example, after messy play and before snack. Clear nappy changing and nappy disposal procedures are in place ensuring younger children stay clean and comfortable. The childminder discusses healthy living and eating with the children, for example, they look at posters and talk about why fruit is good for them. As a result children develop an understanding of keeping their bodies healthy. Parents are well informed about any events during the day. The childminder is first aid trained and a fully stocked first aid box is in place ensuring children are very well cared for if they have an accident or become ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder encourages children to make healthy choices and well-planned activities help to promote ongoing conversations about how to be healthy. Children are able to access drinks independently. Children have healthy meals and snacks provided. They have access to the fruit bowl and freely choose what they want. Parents are always consulted regarding dietary needs and preferences and, therefore, all individual needs are met. Children have the benefit of a quiet space for rest and quiet activities. Individual sleeping patterns are discussed regularly with parents ensuring needs are met well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe, child-friendly environment, with secure doors and safe boundaries. There is plenty of play space and children have free access to the ground floor of the childminder's home. Much of the equipment is in the playroom and stored at child height, enabling children to make independent choices. There is a very wide variety of appropriate toys and play equipment, ensuring children have fun and develop well. The appropriate procedures in place for checking and cleaning all equipment ensures that it is suitable for the children to use. The positive images of society reflected in toys, books and posters means that children gain a positive attitude to others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is vigilant and supervises the children at all times and, therefore, they are kept safe. They discuss and practise road safety and safety measures in the house ensure children are safe. Children discuss fire evacuation and all the children practise the procedure and, therefore, children become familiar and comfortable with the safety procedures. The required fire safety equipment is available and well maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues including the referral process, which is detailed in the clear written policy. Her policy is shared with parents, which means they understand her responsibility to report any concerns. Therefore, children are well protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are making good progress in a stimulating and stable environment created by the childminder. They are well occupied and happy. The childminder and the parents develop strong open relationships, constantly exchanging information about the children. This means that children's individual needs are met very well. Children feel valued and settle down quickly in the childminder's care. The children are offered a stable daily routine which incorporates an extensive range of interesting activities.

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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 The childminder and the children are part of an active local childminding group which meets regularly. This enables the children to form relationships with others and to build links with and become more aware of their community. Comfortable areas in the home offer the children very good opportunities to have their own space. Children are very confident and secure in the friendly environment, where strong relationships are made with the childminder. They talk about shapes, number and the stimulating activities with great enthusiasm. Children's play and learning is consolidated as the childminder is developing activities around themes and projects. Parents have regular feedback about their child's day, including activities and achievements. Children's scrapbooks show parents the variety of activities offered to their children when they

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are in the childminder's care which effectively boost their self-esteem. Children's progress is monitored effectively with the use of daily diary books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued as individuals and all their needs are met. They develop positive attitudes to others following the example set by the childminder. Children are supported appropriately because the strong lines of communication between the parents and the childminder ensures that the childminder is kept fully informed regarding the children's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop a strong sense of belonging as the childminder offers them lots of individual attention. There are procedures in place to meet the needs of children with learning difficulties and disabilities, working alongside parents and others involved in the child's care. Incidents are recorded. Children are encouraged to share and to be kind and helpful, effectively developing an awareness of the needs of others. They begin to understand right from wrong through the consistent boundaries which are in place and the age-appropriate methods the childminder uses to manage behaviour, for example, distraction and explanation. There is a behaviour management policy in place which is shared with parents. However, there are inconsistent strategies included in the policy that are not appropriate for all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. Parents are fully involved in all aspects of their child's care and learning. There is a complaints policy in place. Parents appreciate the daily exchange of information. Parents have the opportunity to read all the policies and procedures put in place by the childminder, increasing their confidence in the care offered.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a very good understanding of providing high quality care for young children. The childminder has developed detailed policies and procedures that support her very good childcare practice. She has an excellent attitude and commitment towards keeping up to date with developments in early years and has attended relevant courses. Children feel secure and are confident in her care, where they are provided with stimulating and well-planned activities and have lots of fun.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the flexible and good organisation of the childminder's practice. There is plenty of space indoors and outdoors where children are able to thrive in the caring and stimulating environment.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection the childminder was asked to review her policies and use of her safety equipment. These recommendations have been addressed to ensure children are cared for in a safe environment.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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): • review the behaviour policy to ensure consistent strategies are in place for all 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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