Higton-Shirt, Joanne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 503489 Inspection date 22 July 2005 Inspector Angela Howard

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 husband and four children aged 14, 11, 7 and 5 years. The premises are a house situated in Ballifield, a suburb on the outskirts of Sheffield. The ground floor of the premises, plus toilet facilities on the first floor is accessed by minded children. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder has a dog, snake and two lizards as family pets. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years of age. The childminder walks

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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 to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local childminder's support group on a regular basis and is a member of the National Childminder’s Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. There are exceptional procedures and practices in place for the promotion of children's good health. These highly effective procedures help children to gain an excellent understanding of good hygiene practices which are incorporated into daily routines. For example, children freely access hand washing facilities, use antibacterial hand wash and have individual hand towels. Arrangements for pets successfully promote exceedingly good levels of hygiene and ensure they do not pose a health risk to children. Children relish in a highly imaginative and creative range of activities that contributes to keeping them healthy. They are able to access a wealth of physical activities which develop their physical skills on a daily basis. They go on regular walks to the local school, local park and planned outings encouraging them to walk and enjoy the environment. Children's knowledge of the environment is extended with rich, varied

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Helping children to be healthy

and imaginative activities such as the growing of vegetables, sun flowers from seed and the care of the herb garden. For babies there is a superb range of every day objects to be sucked, pulled, squeezed and held to encourage exploration and development of physical skills. Children are provided with a highly nutritious and excellent balanced range of snack and drinks. Comprehensive records show that children's dietary requirements and parent's wishes are adhered to. This results in children being very well nourished as they develop an excellent understanding of the importance of healthy eating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in very safe and well maintained premises. Positive steps have been taken to ensure children access a safe and secure environment. For example, the use of safety gates, fire guard, fire blanket, socket covers, smoke alarms and a fully enclosed outdoor play area means children can move around freely and safely. Children are actively encouraged to be aware of their own safety and how to avoid accidents. For example, the introduction of road safety procedures when off the premises and the clear explanations given to children about safe practice. This results in children being given the opportunities to practice what they can do in safe surroundings and young children learn some sense of danger. There are clear and consistent boundaries and reasonable yet challenging expectations in place. Good quality resources are easily accessed allowing children to make choices in a

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safe manner. Children's toys and equipment are very carefully monitored to make

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 sure they remain safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children are appropriately protected as the childminder is sufficiently aware of her role and responsibilities with regards to child protection matters. However, she has limited knowledge of the actual Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy and content because the childminder is highly skilled in getting to know the children well and in building exceptional trusting relationships. Close and caring relationships have successfully increased children's sense of trust and helped them to develop a very strong sense of self to enable them to build meaningful relationships. Children make their own choices about their play, selecting activities and resources from a highly imaginative, creative, interesting and stimulating range available. Children are enthusiastic and relish in the excellent range of activities offered on a daily basis. Even the youngest children, with support, enjoy playing with sand, water and play dough. This results in them being highly motivated and eager to learn and practice new skills. Excellent daily opportunities are provided for children to access an exceptionally varied, age-appropriate and innovative range of activities which

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

promotes children's all round development. Children begin to make a dynamic sense of the world as they join in a diverse range of exploratory and sensory experiences. For example, preparing their garden plot where they grow flowers and vegetables. Children are developing excellent communication skills as the childminder actively listens and responds using every day routines such as dressing, changing and meal times to sing with, talk to and encourage children to vocalise. She is highly skilled in encouraging vocalisation and the taking part in early "conversations". For example, young children pointed to toys and the childminder acknowledged this and responded by getting children to converse with her, she shared in their discovery and valued their words. She enthusiastically follows the babies' lead as they explore their environment, people and resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their individual needs are met well as they follow their normal daily routine consistently. The childminder recognises that children need a predictable environment in which to feel safe and secure. Children are encouraged to feel self confident, proud of themselves and are given time to develop at their own pace. Clear and consistent expectations and trust in children's abilities help to increase a child's confidence and the childminder shows she values and appreciates their efforts. Children's behaviour is good and reflects the high expectations of the childminder,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 who provides them with clear and consistent boundaries. They learn right from wrong in a very secure and caring environment and respond well to the clear guidance and praise. Children's choices are respected and the childminder actively encourages children to negotiate and understand that there are times when she has to say "no". Children have access to a good range of resources to learn about themselves and the world around them. They learn effectively about their own community and are introduced to the wider world in daily activities, planned topics and visits around the local area. Partnership with parents and carers is very good. On going verbal communication and written documentation keeps parents well informed of their child's care and progress. Children are clearly benefiting from the positive partnership and are very

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The premises are very well organised. Space is used very effectively to maximise play opportunities for children. Children feel at home and at ease in their surroundings. This results in children remaining settled and feeling secure in their surroundings. Documentation is kept in a well organised and professional manner and confidentiality is maintained at all times. The childminder is enthusiastic and committed to improving her practice though a programme of good quality relevant training. For example, she has recently attended Birth to three matters framework, treasure baskets and managing children's behaviour training. Required adult:child ratios are met; this provides good levels of care and supervision to ensure children are well supported in their learning and care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of children who attend.

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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

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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 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): • further develop knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures.

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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

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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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