Childminder in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY294269 Inspection date 19 May 2005 Inspector Catherine Julie Stainthorpe

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and eight in Halfway in Sheffield. The ground floor of the home is used for childminding, with the exception of the office, and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently caring for two children both of whom attend on a part time basis. There are schools and pre-school facilities for younger children in the locality. There is access to the public transport system, shopping areas and park. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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. Children enjoy a variety of activities which contribute to their good health. There are regular opportunities to play and explore the outdoors, for example, trips are made to the local park on foot, where children improve physical skills as they run and roll down the hills. Children become increasingly aware of themselves and care of their bodies as the childminder talks to them about personal safety and actively promotes wearing hats and applying sun cream on hot and sunny days. Children are cared for in a clean and healthy home and the childminder talks to parents about protecting children from illness by adopting sensible precautions when any infection is identified. However improvements need to be made for when a child is attending and if they require any form of medication. Children learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Their clear understanding of why they must wash

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

their hands after toilet use and before eating helps reduce the risk of cross infection. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. The childminder encourages them to make their own decisions about the foods they eat from the variety of nutritious foods on offer. Children help the childminder prepare snacks and this increases their awareness of the importance of food hygiene, as they wash the fruit and vegetables. They develop important new skills as they, with the support of the childminder prepare and chop the food for eating.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming childminding home where positive action is taken to minimize any identified risks. This means children are able to move around safely and comfortably as they play with the good quality and well maintained toys and resources. The childminder pays important attention to helping children keep safe inside and outside the home, for example she has given prior consideration to how the imminent outdoor building work may impact on the children and she has a plan of action in place to maintain a safe and secure play environment. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to make sure they are safe and suitable to meet the child's age and stage of development. Regular cleaning of equipment and sorting of toys helps maintain order and inviting resources for the children. The childminder has most of the required procedures in

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. However important attention needs to be given to developing knowledge and understanding of child protection and informing parents of the childminder's role and responsibility.

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 The provision is good. Children are happy and settled with the childminder. They are confident, self assured and make themselves at home. This is because the childminder is warm and sensitive, meets children's needs well and enjoys their company. Children are supported and encouraged in all aspect of play and learning. They become independent as they self select from the good range of toys, books and resources set out each day. For example opportunities to enjoy books are further enhanced by the childminder's animated skill as a story teller and the children respond with interest and excitement. Children spend their time purposefully. They enjoy exploring a wide range of activities which contribute to their creativity, such as dancing, listening and moving to music, using the home made instruments, building with bricks and using

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

corn flour and water as a creative medium. Play experiences to develop the children's imagination are good. For example children are given an area of the garden to make a 'fairy garden', which is created using a wide range of natural materials and resources. The childminder has a sound understanding of how children develop and learn. As a result of her knowledge and understanding children have access to a good range of number and word games which are age and developmentally appropriate. The childminder sits and plays with the children and this helps develop their understanding of simple mathematical concepts and word recognition.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a range of experiences to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example she makes weekly visits to the local childminding group where children mix socially and have access to play materials which positively reflect cultural backgrounds and help children to appreciate and value each other's similarities and differences. However there are limited resources in the home which support our multi cultural community. Children are valued and respected within the setting and this is because the childminder has a warm and sensitive approach to them. She listens, is interested and encourages and supports them. As a result of this children are confident, happy and thrive well. Arrangements are in place in written and verbal form to share information about the children with parents on a daily basis. The child minder has

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

established a written behaviour policy and simple house rules are shared and understood by children and their parents.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel happy and settled in this homely environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The policies and procedures in place are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of

p.4

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 children and these are shared with parent's. However, parents have not been informed of how to make a complaint if they were unhappy about any aspect of the service. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children attending.

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): • ensure that detailed written information is provided by the parents about any medication given to children • develop knowledge and understanding of child protection and keep parent's informed of the childminder's role and responsibility • develop a range of multi cultural resources to positively reflect our society • provide information for parents about how to make a complaint

p.5

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

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