Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY282038 Unique Reference Number 16 November 2007 Inspection date Carolyn Gifford 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 2004. She lives with her partner and two children aged seven years and five years old at Handsworth in Sheffield.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a secure garden for outside play. The family has two Labradors, one cat and two rabbits.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children and she takes children to local parks, play areas and to the library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years old at any one time and is currently minding three children under eight years old.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder helps children to stay healthy as she has a clear understanding of the importance of good hygiene procedures. Children learn about hygiene through everyday routines, for example, they know they have to wash their hands before eating and after toileting and show some understanding of the reasons why.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's rest and sleep routines are flexible, according to their individual needs. The childminder talks daily with parents, which ensures that she aware of their wishes and of each child's home routines. There are appropriate procedures in place if children are ill and signs and symptoms of illness are promptly recognised. However, the childminder does not have all of the relevant written parental consents such as to administer medication, first aid, to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, to take children on routine outings or for children to have contact with the family pets. This compromises children's general welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have the opportunity to participate in a good range of physical activities and enjoy outings in the fresh air, which contributes to keeping them fit and well. The childminder plans suitable activities to develop children's abilities and supervises them well, while encouraging independence and the confidence to try out new skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are met well as the childminder works with parents to establish likes and dislikes and respects their wishes. She provides healthy and nutritious food. This encourages children to make healthy food choices, which effectively contributes to their good health and well- being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is given high priority by the childminder and is an integral part of the care she provides. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder talks to them about road safety and personal safety when on routine outings. All safety precautions are in place and the childminder completes a visual daily risk assessment of the play areas before children arrive, which contributes to children's general welfare and safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have easy access to quality resources and equipment which the childminder checks regularly and removes or replaces as necessary. Children are able to access toys independently, which helps them to enjoy a wide variety of experiences and to make choices about their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a very good understanding of her role and responsibilities with regard to child protection. She knows the signs and symptoms to look out for and the procedure to follow if she has concerns about a child, which effectively contributes to safeguarding children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very secure and settled in the childminder's care. They use resources and equipment well, which encourages them to spend their time purposefully and to learn through play. Children

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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 are motivated and interested in a broad range of developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor play activities that provide good levels of challenge.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A strong emphasis is placed on communication and language as the childminder talks to children about what they are doing and uses appropriate questioning techniques. This encourages children to think and to develop their vocabulary and understanding.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are good opportunities for children to explore their immediate environment, which builds on their natural curiosity as learners. The childminder considers individual children's ages, interests and levels of ability when planning activities. This effectively contributes to ensuring that activities are suitably challenging and helps children to make progress in all areas of their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children gain very good levels of self-esteem as the childminder's consistent support and meaningful praise encourages children to learn and develop what they can do and know when to ask for help.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children show a strong sense of belonging and good levels of independence, curiosity and imagination, which the childminder encourages by ensuring that suitable resources are readily available. Children are able to progress because the childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and equipment that increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. The childminder offers an inclusive service for all children and shows a very good understanding of the areas she would need to consider to care for children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective communication and welcoming routines show that there are positive relationships between the childminder and parents. The childminder respects children as individuals as she discusses their needs with their parents, including daily routines, likes and dislikes. This contributes to meeting children's needs and ensures that parents are actively involved. The childminder makes sure there is time to share the day's events with parents when they collect their children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour is good and the childminder discusses behaviour management with parents to ensure consistency of approach. The childminder employs appropriate behaviour management strategies and offers frequent praise and encouragement, which re-assures children and promotes their confidence and self-esteem.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is effective in organising the childminding to support children's care, learning and play. Space and resources are prepared well to meet the children's needs and flexible planning allows children to make choices and organise their own time, with the childminder supporting and guiding them to extend their play and learning.

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Organisation

Children are kept safe and secure and their welfare is effectively safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding and implementation of the required policies and procedures. Recording systems are used to meet children's individual needs and most of the documentation

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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 is in place. The childminder has a positive approach regarding where improvements can be made, for example, by ensuring that all of the relevant written parental consents are in evidence.

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Organisation

There are good procedures in place to ensure that information is shared with parents on a daily basis and parents are aware of the procedure to follow if they have a concern or complaint.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder consider the use of photographic evidence to support working practice. The childminder does now take photographs, with parental consent, of children enjoying a variety of activities. The childminder shows these to new parents which means that parents have reliable information about the range of activities the childminder provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

It was also recommended that the childminder continue to develop organisational systems to support working practices. The childminder does have most of the relevant documentation in place, which supports her working practices and she has a positive attitude regarding where improvements can be made.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The final recommendation was about developing the range of toys to meet the developmental needs of babies and older children and to promote equality of opportunity. The childminder does now have resources for most age groups. However, although she doesn't have toys for babies and younger children, she is prepared to purchase resources as needed if she begins minding children under the age of three years. The resources available do promote positive images with regard to equal opportunities, which contributes to children learning about diversity and the wider world.

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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):

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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 • request written parental consent to administer medication, first aid, to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, to take children on routine outings and for children to have contact with the family pets.

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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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