Childminder in Rotherham

Inspection report for early years provision

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303178 Unique Reference Number 05 September 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 1998. She lives at West Melton, Wath upon Dearne in Rotherham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a secure garden for outside play.

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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. The childminder has two dogs, one cat, an aviary and small animal enclosure in the rear garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years old at any one time and is currently minding six children under eight years old, all of who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder supports children who have learning difficulties or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has completed Quality Assurance training.

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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 good. Children enjoy a good range of physical activities as they have regular access to the garden, local play areas and parks. This helps children to develop their all round physical skills as they have the opportunity to run, jump, climb and balance. The childminder supervises children very well and plans suitable activities to encourage them to develop independence and the confidence to try out new skills. Her clear understanding of the needs of young children and how they learn supports their good developmental progress.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well protected from illness and infection as the childminder encourages them to learn the importance of personal hygiene through good practice and everyday routines. Priority is given to maintaining policies and procedures, such as medication and accident records. However, the childminder does not record the time of the last dose of medication given, which compromises children's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of the importance of healthy eating. She effectively helps children to develop healthy eating habits by discussing their needs with parents and ensuring that food is healthy and nutritious. Children have the opportunity to try different types of food and the childminder helps to extend their knowledge and understanding by reinforcing this with appropriate activities and resources.

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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 and very child friendly home. The childminder organises space and resources well to reduce potential hazards and actively promote independence. Children use a very broad range of good quality toys and equipment that meet safety standards, which helps them to enjoy a wide variety of experiences safely. The childminder reviews resources on a regular basis to ensure that they remain safe and are appropriate for the ages and abilities of the children attending. Children are able to make choices about their play, as they can easily access the toys and are confident to ask for support when needed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy a good balance between the freedom to explore and the childminder's setting of safe limits as she actively encourages children to be aware of their own safety. For example, the introduction of road safety procedures when on outings and the clear explanations given to children about safe practice, both indoors and out, means that children learn what to do in a safe environment. Children learn to keep themselves safe by observing boundaries and limits, such holding hands when on outings and observing road safety rules.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder clearly understands her role regarding child protection and is fully aware of the procedure to follow if she has concerns about a child. However, the child protection policy does not include the procedure to follow where an allegation of abuse covers a period while the child is in the care of the childminder, which compromises children's welfare.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care and use the rich, varied and imaginative range of equipment and resources exceedingly well. This encourages children to spend their time purposefully and to learn as they play. The childminder gives high priority to planning the childminding day, yet is extremely flexible in her approach, which actively contributes to ensuring that children have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of interesting and stimulating activities. This significantly enhances all aspects of children's learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder considers each child's age and abilities when planning activities and uses observations of their play and interests to inform her planning. This very effectively contributes to ensuring that all activities are suitably challenging and help children to make significant progress in all areas of their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are excellent opportunities for children to explore their immediate and wider environment, which builds on their natural curiosity as learners. Children are able to choose active or quiet play according to their mood and there is easy access to toys and equipment. This means that children can make independent choices and use initiative in their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder expertly nurtures early communication skills as she responds to what young children say and do with smiles, eye contact and by echoing their words. Children's use of language is significantly enhanced as the childminder actively encourages them to learn and develop their vocabulary. Children confidently contribute by enthusiastically talking about what they are doing and are able to communicate their needs and ideas. For example, when building the train track, the childminder supports children and introduces new words, such as curved and straight, which effectively contributes to extending children's knowledge and understanding. Children gain extremely good levels of self-esteem and confidence 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 good levels of independence, curiosity and imagination, which the childminder actively encourages by ensuring that appropriate resources are easily accessible. Children are able to progress because the childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources that increases their awareness of diversity and their understanding of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective communication and welcoming routines at the beginning of the day show that there are positive and trusting relationships between the childminder and parents. The childminder respects children as individuals and discusses their needs with their parents, including daily routines and home experiences. This contributes to meeting children's' needs very well and ensures that parents are actively involved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour is good as children are aware of the simple house rules and boundaries. The childminder offers frequent praise and encouragement to re-assure children and to promote their self-esteem. The childminder offers an inclusive service to all children and has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities and adapts activities to ensure that all children can participate.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is enhanced by the efficient and effective organisation. All documentation is stored securely, yet readily accessible for parents and for inspection. Children's welfare is promoted very well as there are good procedures in place for sharing information with parents through a written daily dairy and also verbal communication.

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Organisation

The childminder continues to extend her knowledge of childcare by accessing relevant training opportunities, which is evident in her approach to her work and in the children's responses to her. Children's care, learning and play is well promoted because the childminder has a high regard for children's' general welfare.

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Organisation

Space and resources are organised to meet the needs of children successfully and a flexible approach to planning allows children to make choices, with the childminder supporting and guiding them to extend their play and learning.

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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 make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint. The childminder does now have a written complaints policy and procedure, which promotes children's welfare.

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Improvements since the last inspection

It was also recommended that the childminder request written parental permission for the children to have supervised access to the family pets. The childminder does now have written consent for parents for children to have contact with the pets, which contributes to children's general well-being.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 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.

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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 • ensure that the medication record includes all of the relevant information and detail • ensure that the child protection policy includes the procedure to follow if allegations of abuse are alleged to have taken place while the child is in the care of the childminder.

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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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