Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

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317852 Unique Reference Number 09 November 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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children, aged 13 and nine years old, in Doncaster. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a secure garden for outside play. The family has a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder sometimes walks or drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She takes children to local parks, play areas and to the library.

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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 seven children under eight years old and two children over the age of eight years.

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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 good. Children's health is very well promoted as the childminder takes positive steps to help children learn about the importance of hygiene and to enjoy healthy lifestyles. For example, she talks to children about daily aspects of their personal care, such as cleaning teeth and hand washing at appropriate times.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder shares her sickness policy with parents, which ensures that they are well informed and aware of expectations if their children are ill or infectious. She takes appropriate steps to exclude children from her setting as necessary, which means that children's health and well-being are effectively promoted and the risk of illness or infection is reduced.

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Helping children to be healthy

All of the relevant written parental consents are in evidence, which effectively contributes to children's general welfare. Whilst the childminder does maintain a record of when she administers medication she does not record the reason for the medication or the time of the last dose, which compromises children's well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy and become aware of the importance of a healthy diet because the childminder works closely with parents regarding the arrangements and provision for children's meals and drinks. Se is sensitive to the individual needs of children and takes account of their likes and dislikes.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that children have regular access to outdoor play, which helps them to develop their physical skills and effectively contributes to children gaining confidence and control of their bodies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe because they are cared for in a child friendly home where the childminder identifies and minimises potential risks. The childminder is vigilant regarding safety and takes all reasonable steps to ensure that the environment is safe for young children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective use of play space ensures that children are comfortable and have the room to move around freely and safely, which helps them to develop their independent skills. Resources and equipment are readily accessible, which means that children can make choices about their play. The childminder reviews resources on a regular basis to ensure they remain safe and are suitable for the age and stage of development of the children attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has secure knowledge of child protection and knows where to seek advice or support in the event of having concerns about a child. However, the child protection policy does not include the procedure to follow if allegations are made against the childminder or a member of her family.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the welcoming setting and thoroughly enjoy the time they spend with the childminder. The childminder knows the children well and has a sensitive, caring

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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 approach. Resources and equipment are organised and used very well, which encourages children to spend their time purposefully and to learn as they play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are motivated and interested in a broad range of developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor play activities, which provide good levels of challenge. A strong emphasis is placed on communication and language as the childminder talks to children about the activities they are participating in and uses appropriate questioning techniques. This encourages children to think about what they are doing and helps them to develop and extend their vocabulary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children gain 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 readily accessible. Children are able to progress because the childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and equipment, which increases their awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. The childminder offers an inclusive service for all children and shows a good understanding of the areas she would need to consider to care for children with learning difficulties or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good communication and welcoming routines show there are positive relationships between the childminder and parents. The childminder respects children as individuals as she discusses their needs with their parents, including daily routines, likes and dislikes. This effectively contributes to meeting children's needs and ensures that parents are actively involved. The childminder makes sure there is time to share the day’s events with parents when children are collected.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour is generally good and the childminder employs appropriate behaviour management strategies to manage challenging behaviour. She offers frequent praise and encouragement, which re-assures children and promotes their confidence and self-esteem.

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Organisation

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

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Organisation

The childminder has extended her knowledge of childcare by accessing further training, which is evident in her approach to her work and in the children's responses to her. Children's learning, care and play are effectively promoted because the childminder has a high regard for children's general welfare and enjoyment.

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Organisation

Space and resources are organised to meet the children's needs 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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 a fire blanket is easily accessible. There is now a fire blanket readily accessible in the kitchen, which contributes to children's general welfare and safety. A further recommendation made was to ensure that the flooring in the dining area is in a good state of repair. The wooden floor is in good repair, which also helps to ensure children's general safety.

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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): • ensure that all of the relevant detail and information is included in the medication record book • ensure that the child protection policy includes the procedure to follow if allegations are made against the childminder or a member of her family.

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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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