Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

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317770 Unique Reference Number 28 November 2007 Inspection date Sarah Gilpin 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?

This childminder was registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and their two children aged four and seven years in Doncaster. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, bathroom facilities and one designated bedroom on the first floor are used by the children and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for nine children who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and makes use of local facilities, such as the park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The environment where the children play is clean and maintained to a good standard. The childminder understands and implements good hygiene practices, such as cleaning food

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 preparation areas with anti-bacterial sprays and following good hygiene procedures when changing nappies. Children are encouraged to learn about personal hygiene through simple daily routines and the childminder monitors them when they wash their hands. As a result, the children's health is promoted. There is a good range of equipment for dealing with accidents involving children, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and there are systems in place to record accidents. However, the accident and administration of medication records are kept in such a way that confidentiality is not always easily maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy nutritious and healthy meals that the childminder prepares for them. She understands what constitutes a healthy and balanced diet, such as fresh fruit and vegetables. The children can independently help themselves to a drink because cups of juice are provided and made easily accessible. The childminder is happy to accommodate parents who wish to provide their children's meals and she stores items, such as baby foods appropriately to ensure that perishable foods remain safe for the children to eat. The childminder works in partnership with the parents to ensure she understands the children's individual dietary needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder understands that young children's physical health and well-being is important. They enjoy regular opportunities to play in the fresh air, they use a variety of resources in the back garden to develop their balancing and ball skills and they enjoy walks in the local park. The childminder works with parents to ensure that children's sleep routines are consistent, for example, by providing sleep facilities which suit their individual needs.

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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 secure indoor and outdoor environment. The childminder takes steps to minimise hazards, for example, she uses a safety gate to limit access to the kitchen when she is preparing food. In addition, the outer doors are kept locked at all times and children only access the first floor with supervision, which helps to maintain their safety. Fire safety precautions, such as smoke detectors and a fire blanket are in place. The childminder has an emergency plan and has given thought to how she and children will escape in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a good range of toys and resources, which young children can access safely because they are stored at low level in boxes. The indoor and outdoor equipment available meets the required safety standards and the childminder maintains and cleans the toys and resources on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. She has attended child protection training and understands where to seek advice and support should the need arise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children enjoy warm and affectionate relationships with the childminder and this results in them feeling secure and comfortable. The childminder enjoys playing with the young children, she gets down to their level and helps them explore a variety of age-appropriate toys and equipment. There are opportunities for the children to play creatively and the childminder provides seasonal activities, such as Halloween bun making and Christmas novelty crafts. The children use their growing imaginations to pretend play using the space and resources provided.

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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 The childminder knows the individual children well and provides activities and experiences that are appropriate to their age and stage of development. She uses her knowledge of child development to plan a varied routine of outings and home-based activities. She plans treasure hunts around the garden for the older children and they enjoy 'film' days where they sit together, eat popcorn and watch a favourite movie.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are cared for by the childminder who works hard to get to know them and meet their individual needs. They are introduced to the local and wider communities because the childminder takes them out in the local area. She helps them to respect other people through the provision of books and resources that promote positive images of gender, disability and the diversity of society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is well managed by the childminder who uses positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviour and is clear with the children about her expectations with regard to their behaviour. The children respond well to her warm, positive and consistent approach. The childminder is skilled at managing the needs of the inspection process with those of the children in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good working relationships with the parents and carers, and provides them with a good range of information about the service she provides for their children. Information is shared through easy-going verbal exchanges as the children arrive and depart and the childminder shares with the parents details of their children's achievements as well as routine events. The childminder has a basic understanding of the regulations regarding the recording of complaints and provides parents with information on how to complain.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are cared for in a well organised environment. The childminder enables the children to access resources and equipment with ease because she makes sure they are accessible. She provides a good variety of fun activities each week, planning informally around the children's interests. There is a routine for the children to enjoy, which includes home-based play and outings in the local area.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good understanding of the National Standards and she actively uses them to guide her work. She has all of the required documentation to support the care of the children. For example, written agreements are clear and child record forms are detailed. She accurately records the children's attendance each day, and accident and medication records provide information for parents. However, the recording systems mean that information relating to children can be observed by others, compromising confidentiality.

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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 the childminder was required to provide an action plan detailing how a first aid qualification would be obtained and to obtain written consent from the parents to administer first aid and seek emergency medical treatment for the children in her care. As a

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Improvements 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 result, the childminder has attended first aid training and has the appropriate consents from the parents, which means that children's well-being is promoted.

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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): • consider how accidents and medication records are kept to ensure confidentiality is maintained • further develop knowledge and understanding of the requirements for dealing with complaints from parents.

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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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