Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY276698 Unique Reference Number 23 August 2007 Inspection date Tracey Jane Outram Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2004. She lives with her husband and adult son; the family live on an established residential housing estate, which is situated in Sheffield. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding with access to toilet facilities on the first floor. The area has good transport links and there is access to shops, children's play areas and parks. The childminder takes children to and from local schools and pre-school groups as required. The family have two cats.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder frequently cares for her grandchildren. She is registered to care for four children under eight years and currently she is caring for two minded children aged under five years. The children attend on a part-time basis. On the day of inspection, there were no minded children present.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates an appropriate understanding of how to address children's health needs. She explains how she frequently cleans the premises and equipment to ensure that infections are not transferred between children. She describes how children learn about personal hygiene, for example, through discussions about washing their hands. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate and, therefore, is prepared to deal with any accidents or incidents, however, she does not have a first aid box.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has systems in place to gather information from parents regarding children's medical needs, dietary requirements and allergies. She describes how children are provided with a healthy range of food and drinks, which are agreed with parents at the start of a placement.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of the importance of providing children with opportunities to enjoy frequent exercise. She explains that children are encouraged to play outdoors, where they are able to develop balance and coordination skills through using a range of balls and small wheeled toys.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises are safe, secure and include the necessary facilities for children. The childminder demonstrates an awareness of how to ensure the environment is made welcoming. For example, she describes making sure that toys are accessible and organising the free space to enable children to play safely.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates an appropriate understanding of how to promote children’s safety and she has taken some precautions to prevent accidents. For instance, she uses safety gates, plug socket covers and she stores all potentially hazardous items, such as cleaning fluids and medicines out of children's reach. The childminder has taken action to ensure that risks inside her home have been minimised. However, further measures are required to ensure that children can play safely outdoors, for instance loose bricks and garden equipment is stored within easy reach of the children. The childminder appropriately describes the steps that she would take to evacuate the premises in the event of a fire. She has a fire blanket, but smoke alarms are not maintained in working order and they are not positioned on each level of the house.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has basic knowledge of child protection procedures approved by the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She is aware of her responsibility to maintain the welfare of the children; however, she is unclear regarding to whom she should report her concerns and she does not have systems in place to maintain a record of children's existing injuries.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of how individual children learn through play. She describes providing children with access to toys that encourage them to use their

p.3

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 imagination. For instance, dressing-up clothes, small world equipment, cars, trucks and dolls. The childminder explains how she encourages children’s language development through reading stories, and their creative skills through drawing and painting. However, the impact of these on the children’s development is not clear as there are no records of what children can do. Play resources are organised in a manner which helps to promote children’s free choice and the childminder explains how she encourages the children to cooperate and socialise with each other.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of equal opportunities. Through discussions she is able to describe the steps that she takes to ensure that children have access to a range of resources that provide positive images of racial and cultural diversity. She is aware that some children have learning difficulties or disabilities and, therefore, it is important to ensure that their needs are appropriately addressed and discussed with their parents. The childminder showed an appropriate knowledge of behaviour management, giving sound examples of how she would approach a variety of situations for children of different ages.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder describes how she works in partnership with parents to provide a flexible service, which incorporates the children's individual routines and care plans. Parents are provided with useful information about the setting. For instance, the childminder ensures that her training certificates, registration details and insurance documentation are accessible.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is aware of her duty to ensure that other people living or working on the premises are suitable to be in contact with children. From discussion and examples of the children's records the childminder demonstrates her understanding of the importance of recording a range of information necessary to meet the children's individual needs. For instance, emergency contact details are documented along with all of the necessary personal details about individual children and their parents. Mandatory documentation, such as registers of attendance are completed appropriately, however, the systems used to request written permission from parents to transport children in a vehicle and to obtain emergency treatment or advice are less developed. Overall, evidence suggests that the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved the range of toys that provide positive images of diversity and, as a result, the children now learn about a range of different backgrounds and lifestyles.

p.4

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. 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.

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • provide a first aid box, the contents of which, are checked frequently and replaced as necessary • ensure that smoke detection units are fitted and maintained in working order • ensure that the rear garden is made safe for the use of the children • improve knowledge and understanding of the local child protection procedures approved by the Local Safeguarding Children Board, and improve the systems for recording children's existing injuries • request written permission from parents to transport children in a vehicle and to obtain emergency treatment or advice.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5