Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

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318015 Unique Reference Number 18 October 2007 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 1994. She lives with her adult child. They live in Skellow, a large residential area in the borough of Doncaster. The whole of the ground floor, plus toilet facilities on the first floor of the premises is used for childminding. There is a secure garden available for outside play.

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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. She currently has six children under eight-years and one child over 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 very well nourished and enjoy a first class varied menu of freshly cooked healthy food. For example, at lunch time a range of healthy meals are offered, such as potatoes served

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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 with vegetables and meat, stew or meatballs, and at snack time fresh fruit, such as bananas, grapes and pears. They are offered drinks frequently and parents' wishes and children's individual dietary needs are met. Therefore, children are beginning to learn about the importance of a healthy diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a very clean and comfortable environment, where the childminder ensures that good hygiene standards are maintained. Children learn about personal hygiene as part of daily routines. For example, they use wipes on their hands before and after eating and after using the toilet. However, this does not sufficiently raise children's awareness of good hygiene practice. The childminder has a clear policy about the care of sick children, and arrangements for administering first aid and medication are rigorous. This further protects children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have plenty of opportunities to participate in a vast amount of physical activities. They access a very well equipped outdoor play area which develops their gross and fine motor skills. They explore, test and develop physical control as they jump on the trampoline, pedal bikes, use scooters, catch and kick balls and chase balloons. The childminder ensures that children enjoy regular fresh air and exercise, which contributes to their good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in an exceedingly warm, vibrant and welcoming environment. The equipment is set out in a very attractive manner which encourages children to make choices and develop decision making skills. The space available is used extremely well to provide children with an extensive range of play opportunities. The childminder has significantly enhanced the safety of the home with rigorous safety assessments.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are significantly enhanced and visually attractive with posters, pictures and displays of children's artwork prominently displayed around the room. Resources are clearly labelled and activities are presented in a very appealing manner, which invites children to take part. Children access an excellent and extremely well balanced range of equipment which is meticulously monitored to make sure it remains safe, clean and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has extensive knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities with regards to safeguarding children. As a result, the childminder is able to act in the best interests of the children and ensures children are extremely well protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely settled in the childminder's home. They are exceptionally confident and are very keen to take part in the extensive range of activities on offer. They explore, investigate and thoroughly enjoy the rich, varied and stimulating environment, which enables them to achieve to their full potential. They are highly motivated and respond positively to the activities offered. For example, two-year-old children hold a pencil very competently and make marks to represent their names in a card. When they are making collage pictures they talk about where they collected the leaves, and say that acorns grow on trees and that squirrels like to eat them. The extremely well organised, flexible routine allows children to feel very secure and at ease in their surroundings. Therefore, children pursue their own interests with enthusiasm and

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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 confidence so that they discover more about what they like and dislike. The childminder is fully involved with the children as they play. She is highly skilled in asking open-ended questions to extend their learning and curiosity, therefore developing their skills and knowledge at a rapid pace.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make their own decisions and choices from an excellent range of resources and activities. For example, they make jelly frogs, design and print on t-shirts and socks, make masks, kites, dream catchers and do junk modelling. Therefore, they spend their time very purposefully exploring an extensive range of materials, which contributes to their creativity and imagination exceedingly well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies and young children are making exceptional progress as the childminder successfully implements the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework. She is highly skilled in recognising their individuality and helps them to achieve the next steps in their learning. The childminder is very skilful at encouraging young children to be extremely confident in what they can do; she values their attempts and ensures they gain self assurance through highly close and caring relationships. For example, the childminder stays physically close, makes eye contact when talking and provides a predictable, challenging and vibrant environment in which babies feel safe and secure. This excellent relationship has an extremely positive impact on children's well-being and sense of security.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children respond eagerly to consistent praise and encouragement and seek out the childminder and visitors to share their achievements. They are becoming very competent learners as they make marks on paper and repeat sounds, words and gestures. For example, they wave goodbye and repeat 'banana' as they choose fruit for dessert. They chase and catch balloons, ride scooters with excellent skill and have superb hand and eye coordination skills as they use glue spreaders and collage materials. Therefore, young children are exploring, experimenting using all parts of their bodies and are beginning to develop confidence in their own abilities. They are provided with a wealth of experiences to enable them to play and learn in a highly effective manner.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy and content and are showing an extremely strong sense of belonging. They are very familiar with daily routines and have formed excellent relationships with each other, the childminder and her family. This results in children being highly independent and feeling safe and secure, through which they develop a high degree of self-confidence, an extremely strong belief in themselves and healthy self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's awareness of the local community is promoted extremely well through regular well planned outings. They go on regular visits to local playgrounds, country parks, farms and places of interest, and in the summer to the seaside. Children have equal access to all resources and are beginning to learn about the wider world through the use of an extensive range of equipment and activities that positively address diversity. They enthusiastically take part in planned activities which increase their knowledge of festivals and celebrations around the world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They are kind, considerate, polite and well mannered. The childminder has clear boundaries and helps children to understand the need to share and be kind to each other. She is calm, sensitive and congratulates children for their positive behaviour. Children are encouraged to think about how they should behave and are promptly distracted from negative behaviour. The high expectations and consistent boundaries help children to

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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 take responsibility for their own behaviour. This results in children learning right from wrong in a highly caring and extremely sensitive environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is excellent. Parents receive an abundance of information to keep them up to date about their child's care and learning. The childminder works in complete partnership with parents to ensure each child's individual routine is followed successfully. Detailed written and verbal information is shared with parents daily relating to sleep routines, food intake, what the child has enjoyed and who they have played with. This contributes exceedingly well to the children's overall well-being and significantly enhances all aspects of children's care. This inclusive approach means children's individuality is strongly valued and nurtured.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The highly effective organisation of the environment allows children to initiate their own play and learning and develop a high level of independence skills. The childminder gives utmost priority to the well-being of all children. She clearly considers children's needs and it is very evident she has formed extremely strong relationships with the children in her care.

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Organisation

The childminder has a vast amount of experience in childcare and is highly committed to the further development of her practice. She attends relevant training to update and extend her knowledge of childcare issues. For example, she has recently attended ‘Birth to three matters’, child protection, multi cultural awareness training and practical play workshops about amazing animals and flowers.

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Organisation

There is an extensive range of extremely well written policies and procedures in place, which are effectively implemented and shared with parents. All documentation is kept in a well-organised and professional manner and confidentiality is maintained at all times. 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 one recommendation was made. This related to the childminder reviewing the child protection policy. This policy has been reviewed and now meets regulatory requirements. This promotes children's safety and well-being.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 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): • improve children's awareness of good hygiene practice.

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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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