Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

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318031 Unique Reference Number 08 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 1990. She lives with her husband and three children aged 14, 16 and 20 years. They live in Bessecarr, a large residential area in the borough of Doncaster. The whole of the ground floor of the premises is used for childminding. There is a secure garden available for outside play. The family has two guinea pigs and a dog as pets.

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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 five children under eight-years-old and seven children over eight-years-of-age 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 effective hygiene routines. They receive appropriate support and are moving towards independence in

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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 attending to their personal care. Children understand the need to wash their hands after using the toilet, before eating and after outdoor play. This results in children actively learning about the importance of personal hygiene. Arrangements for administering medication and managing accidents are appropriate and safeguard children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The effective procedures in place to promote children's good health ensure children thrive. For example, the childminder implements policies and procedures which meet children's physical, nutritional and health needs. She provides a balanced, nutritious range of snacks and midday meals which consist of fruit for snack and pasta dishes or sandwiches with healthy fillings. Meals take into consideration children's individual dietary requirements. This contributes significantly to children's understanding of a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children access fresh air and exercise daily. They walk to and from school and freely access the outdoor play area when the weather permits. They enjoy energetic games like jumping on the trampoline, riding on wheeled toys, catching and throwing balls and climbing on the large climbing frame. Babies have a good range of different textures to pull, suck and squeeze and are encouraged to crawl and pull themselves up. 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 are cared for in a warm, vibrant and welcoming environment. The equipment is set out in an attractive manner, which encourages children to make choices and develop decision-making skills. The space available is used well to provide children with a good range of play opportunities. The childminder enhances the safety of the home with regular safety assessments. All necessary safety precautions are in place. For example, safety socket covers are in place, low-level cupboards have safe contents, there are no trailing wires, and sharp knives and scissors are out of children's reach. Good fire precautions are in place. For example, smoke alarms are in working order, the fire blanket is wall mounted and exits are kept free from obstructions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an acceptable awareness of child protection issues. She understands her responsibility to ensure children are protected and is able to recognise some indicators of abuse. However, she is not fully secure in her knowledge of the recommended guidance issued by the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good quality resources are easily accessed allowing children to make choices in a safe manner. They are rigorously monitored to make sure they remain safe, clean and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children initiate their own play from a good range of resources that are presented in an interesting and appealing manner. They are encouraged to access resources themselves, so developing their sense of self-assurance. Younger children engage in very imaginative play in which they extend their language, try out new ideas and select suitable resources. For example, they cook and serve pizza, make cups of tea, share ice creams and talk about the flavour saying, 'mine is strawberry, what flavour is yours?' Activities provide good levels of challenge, appropriate to the age and stage of the children's development and are what they are interested

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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. Babies enjoy exploring familiar equipment, giggle as they see their refection in the mirror and watch with deep concentration the musical moving toys that light up or move to stimulate their senses. Therefore, children spend their time purposefully and enjoy playing with the toys provided. Children's communication is well supported by the high quality interaction with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children love coming to the childminder's. They are eager to attend and relish the time at the childminder's. The childminder shares an extremely warm and caring relationship with the children. For example, babies and young children enjoy lots of cuddles and physical closeness, so that they feel secure and content. This helps to successfully enhance children's sense of trust and self-confidence. They have an extremely strong sense of belonging and are familiar with daily routines. Children are learning good social skills and have formed good friendships with the childminder and other children. This results in them being able to build meaningful relationships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very happy and content and are showing a strong sense of belonging. They are familiar with daily routines and have formed good relationships with the childminder. The childminder has a very friendly approach and children seek out the childminder for cuddles. This shows that 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 one.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very positive approach to managing children's behaviour. She takes into account their level of understanding and uses distraction techniques successfully with younger children. Children follow the good role model of the childminder in showing kindness and courtesy. The childminder helps children to feel good about themselves and offers lots of encouragement, praise and support. Therefore, children learn right from wrong in a warm and caring environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's awareness of the local community is promoted well through regular outings to the park, shops and the museum. Children have equal access to all resources and are beginning to learn about the wider world through the use of a good range of resources which reflect diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnerships with parents and carers are very good. Ongoing daily verbal communication ensures parents are kept up-to-date about their child's care. Children are clearly benefiting from the positive partnership and are very settled in response to this.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Documentation is kept in a very well-organised professional manner and confidentiality is maintained at all times. The comprehensive policies and procedures in place, which are reviewed, updated and shared with parents, provide a clear sense of purpose and direction. The childminder systematically reviews her policies and procedures to address any changes made to the National Standards. For example, she has devised a policy to inform parents how they can make a complaint. However, she has not developed a system for the recording of complaints.

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Organisation

The environment and structure of the day is well organised to allow children to make choices. This means they can initiate their own play and learning which promotes their independence

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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 and gives them ownership of their play. They are comfortable in the predictable environment and move around with confidence, promoting their sense of security and their emotional well-being. 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 four recommendations were made. These related to fire evacuation procedures, location of the fire blanket and smoke alarms, ensuring the gate was secure and obtaining written permission from parents to administer first aid to children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has a clearly devised fire evacuation plan which she practises with the children. She has wall mounted the fire blanket and has smoke alarms in situ on every level of the property. The gate is secure and she has written permission from parents to administer first aid to children. This promotes children's health and 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): • improve knowledge and understanding of Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures • develop a system for the recording of complaints.

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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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