Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

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317804 Unique Reference Number 21 February 2008 Inspection date Lynn Masterman 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 1992. She lives with her husband and daughter aged 18 years in the residential area of Hatfield, near Doncaster. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a cat.

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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 is currently minding eight children under eight years, and one child over eight years who attend on a full and part time basis. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children. She takes the children on outings and attends the local parent and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a bright and welcoming environment, which is clean and well maintained. The childminder implements an appropriate range of health and hygiene procedures, such as the use of anti-bacterial spray to clean tables before serving food. Most children are beginning to develop an awareness of appropriate hygiene practice and how to attend to their own personal care, such as washing their hands before meals and after visiting the toilet. Appropriate procedures are in place for the care of sick children. Signs and symptoms which indicate illness are promptly recognised, and parents are informed which ensures children are cared for appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive a good range of home cooked meals and snacks, which are healthy and nutritious. This helps children to develop healthy eating habits from a young age. They are provided with a varied range of fruit and vegetables on a daily basis to ensure they have the required five portions a day. The childminder helps children try new foods through a range of planned activities, such as food tasting days. This helps to develop their awareness of different taste, smells and textures.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical well-being is successfully promoted. Children enjoy regular exercise and have plenty of opportunities to play in the fresh air. Each day there are activities to help them develop their physical skills. For example, they regularly visit local parks and play areas to climb, run and jump. They play games, such as basket ball, and use cones to create their own assault courses. This helps children to move their bodies in different ways. Rest routines are incorporated into the daily routine and are agreed with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children are able to move around safely and freely which develops independence. The childminder has a good awareness of safety and takes positive steps to ensure the risk of accidents is minimised and the environment is safe and secure. There are effective procedures in place for the collection of children. For example, the childminder keeps a daily record of the designated adults collecting the children. Outings are well planned and children's safety is given high priority. For example, children wear reflective jackets so they can be easy recognised and have wrist straps, which have the childminder's mobile telephone number inscribed inside. Children are familiar with the safety rules when walking to school and opportunities are used positively to promote road safety. This helps children to learn the importance of personal safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are independently able to self-select from a good range of age appropriate play resources and equipment, which are easily accessible, clean, well maintained and of a high standard. Effective monitoring systems ensure resources remain safe and suitable. For example, there are no sharp or loose parts that may cause a child injury. This ensures children have access to play resources, which are safe and suitable for their purpose. Resources are stored securely at child height, which promotes their independence, confidence and the opportunity to make informed choices about their play.

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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 The childminder has sound knowledge of child protection issues. She is able to recognise possible indicators of neglect and abuse. She has a clear understanding of her role and responsibility should she have any concerns about the welfare of children. However, the childminder has failed to ensure persons over the age of 16 living in the household are appropriately checked. Therefore, children are not adequately safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have developed a warm and affectionate relationship with the childminder. She enjoys their company and the children chat happily whilst at play. Lots of eye contact and good adult interaction helps the children to develop their confidence and self-esteem. Children are encouraged to use their imagination and make links with familiar experiences. For example, children play with the medical set and try to make each other better. They use the stethoscope to listen to their hearts beating and the childminder talks to the children how the doctor uses a drip to help to put fluid into the body when people are very poorly. She asks the children playing with the telephone 'Are you ringing for the ambulance' and 'Do you know the number we call if we need help?' This helps children to become skilful communicators.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have the opportunity to build on their existing skills and develop new ones through a range of well planned activities. They are independent in exploring many play provisions, which helps children achieve in all areas of their development. The childminder is skilfully in her ability to make use of opportunities to extend children's leaning through discussion and the use of opened questions. For example, children make their own insects with play dough. The childminder asks the children to think about where they might want to put the insect's eyes, ears and legs. The children talk about how insects need to have wings to fly. The childminder asks 'Would you like to look for an insect outside in the garden?' The children find an insect and put it in a bug finder. The childminder suggests to the children they might like to use a magnifying glass to look at the insect's body. The children count the legs on the insect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder asks the children to look at the insect carefully and to draw what they see. This helps children to develop their observation and pre-writing skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a positive approach to the needs of young children and makes effective use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. The use of observation records ensures all children have access to activities, which are age appropriate and provide opportunities for young children to develop their sensory skills through natural materials, such as the use of treasure baskets.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal care and concern. They are valued as individuals and routines are discussed with parents, which ensures appropriate steps are taken to provide a suitable environment. The childminder has developed a caring relationship with the children and knows them well. They are responded to with warmth, affection and understanding, which develops their sense of self-worth and confidence. They show a strong sense of belonging and are familiar with the daily routine. For example, children know when it is time to tidy away toys and wash hands for lunch. This helps children to feel safe and secure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's awareness of equal opportunities and diversity is fostered through discussion, the celebration of festivals and a range of planned activities. For example, children celebrate the Chinese New Year. The bring items from home they wish to share with their peers and use

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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 reference books to search for information. For example, some children know the year they were born is linked to specific animals, such as a ram. They are beginning to recognise similarities and differences as they use blind folds to help them understand how it feels when you are unable to see. However, the range of resources to develop their awareness through play needs to be further developed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and develop cooperative and thoughtful relationships with each other. The childminder creates a positive and encouraging atmosphere where good behaviour is acknowledged and positively praised. This enables children to feel good about themselves, through which they develop self-confidence, a belief in themselves and healthy self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A very successful relationship with parents and carers ensures that the childminder has good knowledge and understanding of children's individual needs. Ongoing verbal communication ensures that parents are kept up to date about their child's care and progress. Due to this very positive relationship, children's needs are continually met and children remain settled in the childminder's care. This clearly contributes to the children's overall well-being.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder is well organised and has a good routine, which contributes to children feeling safe, being part of a group and having a secure base. Children are encouraged to have fun and see their time spent with the childminder as an enjoyable experience. Space is well used and children move around the home confidently and are clearly at ease with the environment.

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Organisation

Documentation is presented in a professional manner and meets the requirements of the National Standards. The childminder has a good range of policies and procedures, which she shares positively with parents. However, the childminder has not complied with the regulation to ensure persons over the age of 16 living in the household are appropriately checked. This compromises the protection of children and is a clear breach in regulation. Overall, the provision does not meet 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 asked to keep a detailed record of children's attendance and to obtain written parental consent for children to have supervised access to pets.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has a detailed record of children's attendance and written permission from parents for children to have supervised access to pets is in place. These improvements contributed to the safety and well-being of children.

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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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Complaints 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

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • ensure all persons in the household, over 16 years have been vetted. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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