Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

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317796 Unique Reference Number 02 January 2008 Inspection date Angela Howard 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 1991. She lives with her son aged 17 years. They live in Cusworth, a large residential area in the borough of Doncaster. The whole of the premises is used for childminding. There is a secure garden available for outside play. The family have a cat and two dogs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and one child overnight. She currently has four children under eight-years-old on roll. The childminder walks to take and collect children from the local school.

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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. Children are well protected from illness and infection as the childminder follows highly effective hygiene procedures. The home is very clean and well maintained and children learn simple

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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 effective hygiene procedures through regular routines, such as the washing of hands before eating meals. This ensures they know what the childminder's expectations are and that the risk of cross infection is successfully minimised. Good systems are in place to record accidents, to obtain consent from parents for giving medication and seeking emergency treatment. This further promotes the children's health and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides a good variety of home made, nutritious and well balanced snacks and meals. These include five portions of fruit and vegetables daily. Therefore, children learn the benefits of a healthy diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of physical activities which contributes to their good health. Regular daily walks to and from school, access to a well equipped outdoor play area and planned activities, such as climbing hills and rolling down them broaden children's interest and make exercise fun. This results in children gaining good control of their bodies and improves their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is given a high priority by the childminder. She takes very effective measures to maintain a safe and secure environment. She keeps outer doors securely locked and has safety gates and socket covers in place. She completes regular risk assessments of the premises to ensure they remain safe and secure. Children are very well supervised by the childminder who makes sure she is within sight or sound at all times. She talks to them about safe practice, during outings practises road crossing procedures and indoors gives gentle reminders as children play so that they do not trap their fingers in doors. This results in children developing some sense of awareness for their own safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All toys and equipment are of good quality, conform to safety standards and are presented at low level to allow children the freedom to access them safely and independently. Play provision is checked on a regular basis to ensure it remains suitable and presents no hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected because the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities and is confident about the procedure to follow if she has any concerns relating to the safeguarding of children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children share a very warm and caring relationship with the childminder. She is very kind, caring and very supportive. They are given lots of praise and encouragement which helps to develop their confidence and self-esteem. This ensures they feel happy, settled and secure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children independently plan and develop their own play. Imaginary role play with the dolls, buggies and kitchen equipment is very popular. For example, they take the babies a walk, dress and feed them, then make tea and dinner for the childminder. They pack and unpack bags and go to the shop for a list of items, such as oranges, bread and milk. On their return they stop off at the imaginary park, in the hall, and play ring-a-ring-a-roses. All the children play together cooperatively and harmoniously. Children have plenty of opportunities to be creative as they draw and colour pictures naming the colour of the crayon they are using, counting how many crayons they can hold in one hand and measuring who has the biggest feet. They are engrossed

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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 in their play, are confident and interested and interact very well with adults and their peers. As a result, children are motivated and enjoy a well balanced range of activities and experiences to promote their overall development very well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very happy and content and show a strong sense of belonging. They are familiar with daily routines and have formed good relationships with the childminder, her family and their peers. This is fostered effectively by the childminder providing opportunities for children to play together in a caring environment. She treats all children with equal concern and their individual needs are met successfully. This is due to her taking time to get to know the children and working in complete partnership with parents. This results in children being independent and feeling safe, through which they develop self-confidence, a belief in themselves and healthy self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to understand expectations for their behaviour and to develop a sense of responsibility. They are given clear instructions and guidance and this results in them knowing what is expected of them. The childminder provides opportunities for children to manage their own behaviour, such as learning to share and take turns. Therefore, children are learning to behave successfully in a warm and caring environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children have equal access to all resources and are beginning to learn about the wider world through discussion, the use of books and visits to local places of interest. The childminder has a good understanding that children may have specific needs. She is proactive in welcoming everyone into her setting and ensures everyone receives the appropriate support and guidance.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership between parents and the childminder is good. Children benefit from the effective two way sharing of information. This shows the childminder is aware of the children's emotional needs and aims to make the transition from home to the setting a secure and positive experience.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised and has good daily routines which effectively contribute to children's high self-confidence. They move around the home freely and confidently and are clearly very settled and happy. This means they can freely initiate their own play and learning, promoting their independence.

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Organisation

Documentation is kept up-to-date and well organised. Confidentiality is maintained at all times. However, parents are made aware of how to raise a complaint but there is no system in place for the recording of complaints.

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Organisation

Children's experiences are enhanced as the childminder uses training opportunities to improve her practice. She has attended ‘Birth to three matters’, first aid, food hygiene, child protection and musical minis training. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection four recommendations were made. These related to ensuring children have adequate space to play and that resources reflect diversity, to obtain up-to-date guidance on child protection issues and written permission from parents for seeking emergency treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has obtained recent guidance on child protection issues and has obtained written permission from parents to seek emergency treatment. This promotes children's' health and safety. She has obtained resources that reflect diversity and ensures children have plenty of clear floor space to play. This promotes children's awareness of diversity and gives them opportunity to play freely and safely.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there has been one complaint made to Ofsted that required Ofsted to take action in order to meet the National Standards. Ofsted received concerns relating to National Standard 1 – Suitable Person and National Standard 14 – Documentation. A childcare inspector visited the provision on 2 October 2006. An action was raised and satisfactorily met by the registered provider. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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): • develop a system for the recording of complaints, in line with regulations.

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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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