Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

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317925 Unique Reference Number 21 February 2008 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?

The childminder has been registered since 1991. She lives with her husband and their two adult daughters in Bessacar, Doncaster. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used by the children. A secured area for outside play is provided at the rear of the premises. The family have a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years, and there are currently seven children on roll 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 and library.

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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 children are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment because the childminder has procedures, which she implements effectively to ensure that their good health is actively

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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 promoted. For example, the food preparation areas are clean and young children are supported to wash their own hands before meals and after contact with the family dog. This routine helps the children to learn about appropriate personal hygiene. The childminder has suitable equipment for dealing with accidents involving children, she holds a current first aid certificate and keeps records of all minor accidents involving the children in her care. There is a system for obtaining consent from the parents in order for the childminder to seek emergency treatment for the children and to ensure the parents consent to their children coming into contact with the dog. The childminder has used photographs to illustrate this form, which makes it very clear to the parents what they are signing.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy the nutritious and healthy snacks and meals that are provided by the childminder to suit their individual likes, dislikes, routines and attendance patterns. She has a good knowledge and understanding of what constitutes a balanced diet and provides the children with an abundance of fresh fruit to choose from. Children are encouraged to broaden their tastes by trying a variety of fruits. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure that children's individual dietary needs are met. Some parents bring packed lunches for their children, which the childminder stores appropriately. Information is shared to make sure that children are not exposed to any foods that may cause an allergic reaction.

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Helping children to be healthy

The young children enjoy regular opportunities to benefit from fresh air and exercise. The childminder uses her garden for outdoor play and provides equipment to encourage their development. Good use is made of local amenities, such as the park and the childminder and the children walk to and from school most days. The childminder understands that young children's physical development is important, and she successfully encourages them to independently choose resources, such as slot-in jigsaws that promote their hand-eye coordination.

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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 because the childminder takes effective steps to minimise hazards. For example, safety gates are used to limit access to the stairs and outer doors are kept locked when children are present. When the children are walking to and from school, the childminder talks to them about road safety, and has recently borrowed a book from the library to extend the children's learning. Fire safety precautions, such as a fire blanket and smoke detectors, are in place and the childminder has a written fire evacuation procedure which is displayed, and this is practised with the children to develop their awareness of how to deal with emergency situations.

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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 suitable baskets and boxes. The indoor 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 childminder has a clear understanding of her role in dealing with child protection because she has knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. She has systems to record existing injuries that the children may arrive with and any other concerns relating to their well-being. The childminder has information, such as phone numbers for the local social services department, to ensure she can contact the relevant authorities should the need arise.

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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 good. There are warm and affectionate relationships between the childminder and the children, which results in the children feeling very secure and comfortable. The children are comforted by the reassurance they receive and this helps them to be confident around an unfamiliar adult. The childminder gets down at the children's level and enjoys helping them to explore the toys and equipment, which are readily available. She interacts with the children, helping them to extend their imaginative play, and she leaves the children to play independently when appropriate to do so. For example, the three children work happily together to complete jigsaws. Children are helped to enjoy books because there is a wide variety of suitable story books for them to choose from. This includes books from the library about road safety, going to hospital and a book about world religions. All of which are used to effectively help raise the children's awareness

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses her experience and her knowledge of child development to plan a varied routine of outings and home-based activities. She plans activities that are suitable for the age and developmental stage of the children in her care. For example, they enjoy opportunities to make cards and pictures using a variety of paper and colourful resources. The children have lots of choice about what they do because the childminder provides some resources in easily accessible storage units and boxes, while other toys are rotated, to provide variety. Children's interest in small world imaginative play is supported through the provision of different resources, such as the bin lorry and ambulance with accompanying characters. The childminder provides a singing or music and movement activity each day for the children to enjoy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children's understanding of the local community and environment is growing because the childminder takes them out in the local area to play areas and to socialise with other children. She ensures that she and the children are developing their awareness of other people and the world around them, by obtaining books, and providing them with resources and activities that show positive images of the diversity of society, gender and disability. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the intricacies involved in caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is managed very well by the childminder and she uses positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviour. Children respond well to her warm and positive approach and she successfully uses techniques, such as distraction with the children, to redirect them to a different task or activity. The older children are encouraged to support the younger children, which helps them to develop respect for one another and this helps their understanding of what is right and wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder fosters good working relationships with the parents and carers and she understands the benefits of working in partnership with them. Information is shared through verbal exchanges as the children arrive and depart each day and this effective method of communication supports the care of the children, helps to maintain their continuity of care and ensures that they are cared for according to their parents' wishes. The childminder has a basic understanding of the regulations regarding the recording of complaints and has not implemented a complaints record to date.

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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. The children are cared for in a very well organised environment. The childminder enables the children to be independent because they can choose from the available resources that are stored carefully at their level. She provides a variety of fun activities each week, planning around their interests and the weather. There is a routine for the children to enjoy, such as home-based play and outings to local amenities for socialising with their peers.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good understanding of the National Standards and is beginning to familiarise herself with the Early Years Foundation Stage in preparation for the change in legislation.

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Organisation

All of the required documentation to support the care of the children is in place. For example, written agreements are clear and the attendance of the children is accurately recorded. Parents are provided with clear information about how to complain, although there is no complaints recording system.

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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 make available to parents a written statement about dealing with complaints. As a result, the childminder gave all parents a copy of Ofsted's leaflet on complaints to ensure they know what to do should they be unhappy with the service provided for their 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. 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): • further develop knowledge of the regulations regarding the recording of complaints.

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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 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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