Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

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502705 Unique Reference Number 28 February 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 outstanding. 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 18 and 12 years. They live in Bessacarr, a large residential area in the borough of Doncaster. The whole of the ground floor, plus toilet facilities and the main bedroom on the first floor of the premises are used for childminding. There is a secure garden available for outside play. The family have a dog.

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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 and three children over the age of 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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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 outstanding. Children are extremely well protected from illness and cross infection as the childminder implements highly effective hygiene routines. Children receive excellent support and guidance from the childminder in understanding the importance of good hygiene practices. They are moving towards independence in attending to their own personal care as they access wash hand facilities independently. They each have their own colour-coded towel, use liquid soap and say that 'germs make you poorly'. Arrangements for administering first aid and medication are robust and protect children. The arrangement for pets is highly successfully in promoting good levels of hygiene and ensures they do not pose a health risk to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an excellent range of nutritious, well balanced and freshly prepared meals each day. They thoroughly enjoy a superb range of healthy snacks and meals which are made from fresh produce. For example, they are provided with an extensive range of fruit and vegetables on a daily basis to ensure they have the required five portions a day. The excellent food hygiene standards and practices ensure that the food prepared is healthy and planned to meet their individual dietary needs. Children thoroughly enjoy help with preparing meals. For example, they cut tomatoes in half, help pour oil and grind the pepper to make the sauce for pasta bake at lunchtime. They take great delight in using the safety knives and the pepper mill. Therefore, children are learning the importance of a healthy diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

The excellent range of physical activities test, develop and explore children's physical development. Children very skilfully use wheeled toys, skipping ropes, bats and balls, skates, hoops and the parachute. They love obstacle courses and practising throwing balls through hoops hung from the washing line. Children are developing excellent control of their bodies and are beginning to develop confidence and trust in their own physical abilities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Highly positive steps have been taken to ensure children are cared for in an extremely warm, welcoming, safe and well maintained environment. They are able to move around designated play areas independently. Potential hazards are effectively addressed in order to maintain a very secure environment both indoors and out. When planning outings the childminder completes comprehensive risk assessments to reduce potential risks. As part of everyday activities, such as when walking to and from school, children learn about road safety as they walk sensibly, within agreed boundaries and practise road crossing procedures. The childminder is highly skilled in achieving an excellent balance between freedom and the setting of safe limits. Therefore, children are learning what they can do in safe surroundings and about how to protect themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use an excellent variety of very good quality toys and resources appropriate to their age and stage of development. They can reach toys and resources easily, as they are organised in low-level storage and child-height furniture. The range of accessories to compliment everyday play activities is vast and of excellent quality. For example, as the children dress up as princesses they wear dresses, shoes, jewellery and head wear. All equipment is meticulously clean and well maintained to meet excellent safety standards.

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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 Children are extremely well protected as the childminder has extensive knowledge and understanding of her role and responsibilities with regards to safeguarding children. She ensures that her practice is underpinned by first class up-to-date knowledge of signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children settle exceptionally well at the childminder's. They arrive eager to play and are extremely confident in their surroundings and show enthusiasm and excitement for the activities on offer. Children share a wonderful, warm and caring relationship with the childminder as she is very kind, calm and caring. She is very attentive as she asks questions, listens to what children have to say and plays an active part in their play. They involve her in the care of the dollies, at the restaurant as they make pancakes and in the game of snap. Imaginary play is very popular with the children; they dress up as princesses, go to the restaurant for pancakes and care for the dollies. They love to dress the dollies, feed them and change their clothes; as the dolly cries they soothe her by rocking her to and fro and pat her back to wind her. Therefore, children are extending their learning and development in varied and exciting ways.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder very skilfully implements the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and the stepping stones guidance. She skilfully and effectively introduces numbers, shapes, calculation and personal and social development as she encourages children to think about taking turns and sharing as they play a game of snap. Early communications skills are extremely well supported through high quality adult-child interactions. Children are highly motivated to learn and are making rapid progress in their development. For example, three-year-old children confidently and accurately count to 20, recognise a rectangle and talk confidently about past experiences, such as when they went to the park, soft play areas and saw some Chinese dancers. As a result, children are motivated and making excellent links in their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are highly valued as individuals and receive an abundance of praise and encouragement. They are extremely happy, content, confident and are showing a very strong sense of belonging. They are very familiar with routines, household rules and move around the premises confidently voicing their opinions and making excellent choices and decisions. This results in children being very independent and feeling extremely safe and secure, through which they develop excellent self-confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides an extensive range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and to increase children's awareness of diversity. Children learn effectively about the wider community through outings in the local area, which includes the park, shops and carer groups. This positive approach contributes significantly to children's spiritual and cultural development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is exemplary. The childminder is an excellent role model for children to follow. Her highly effective use of praise and encouragement ensures children feel self-assured and well supported. As a result, children are learning agreed codes of behaviour in a very caring and sensitive environment.

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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 The partnership between the childminder and parents is excellent. Parents are kept very well informed about what their children are doing and learning through excellent documentation and daily communication, such as newsletters, photographs and informal discussions on a daily basis. The childminder clearly recognises that sharing information on a daily basis with parents is highly effective in supporting links with home and increases children's sense of belonging.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder has an excellent approach towards her childminding role. She is extremely effective in supporting children's individual needs with her flexible approach towards planning time, resources and space available to take account of children's interests and developmental needs. Daily routines are in place but are skilfully amended to respond to the different needs of the children cared for. This results in children feeling at ease in their surroundings and enables them to be extremely confident in initiating and extending their own play and learning.

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Organisation

Documentation is in excellent order, far exceeds requirements and is stored with high regard for confidentiality. The childminder systematically reviews her policies and procedures to address any changes made to the National Standards. For example, she has devised a robust system for recording complaints. The policies and procedures in place work extremely well in practice and promote excellent outcomes for children in her care. 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 safety and documentation. The fire and fire surround are now adequately protected, the first aid box is appropriately stocked. The ivy in the garden and external door keys are inaccessible to young children. The records in the medication book contain all relevant information. 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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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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