Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY153289 Unique Reference Number 19 November 2007 Inspection date Carolyn Gifford Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2002. She lives with her family at Sprotborough in Doncaster. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has two guinea pigs.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well protected from illness and infection as they are cared for in clean, well maintained premises and follow good hygiene procedures. The childminder encourages children to learn the importance of good hygiene through daily routines, such as hand washing at

p.2

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 appropriate times. Children show some understanding of the reason why, for example, they talk about washing germs away.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Regular visits to the park and play areas and access to an outdoor play area at the premises gives children the opportunity to enjoy a varied range of challenging physical activities. This effectively contributes to children developing confidence and control in their movements. For babies there is a good range of tactile resources to hold and explore, which encourages their natural curiosity as learners and helps them to develop confidence in their physical abilities.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

All of the relevant written parental consents are in evidence and most of the appropriate detail is recorded when administering medication to children. However, the time of the last dose and the reason for the medication is not recorded, which compromises children's general welfare. The childminder has devised a number of policies and procedures, which contribute towards parents being well informed about the childcare. For example, the policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious ensures parents are clear regarding when they cannot bring their children due to illness.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning the importance of eating healthily, as the childminder provides healthy and nutritious meals and snacks, which helps children learn to make good food choices and develop healthy eating habits. Documentation is used effectively to seek and record information regarding any special dietary needs children may have, which promotes children's general health and welfare.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is given high priority by the childminder and is an integral part of the care she provides. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder talks to them about personal safety and road safety when on routine outings. The childminder completes a daily visual risk assessment and identifies and minimises any potential hazards, which contributes to children's general safety both inside and outside.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a varied range of good quality resources and equipment that the childminder checks regularly from a heath and safety perspective and removes and replaces as necessary. This ensures that toys are safe and suitable for the children attending. Play space is used effectively and children can readily access toys and move around freely and safely.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder maintains daily communication with parents, which helps to develop strong relationships between all involved in keeping children safe. The childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities regarding child protection and has secure knowledge of most of the issues. However, the child protection policy does not include the procedure to follow if allegations of abuse are alleged to have taken place while the child is in the care of the childminder. This compromises children's general welfare.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care and use equipment and resources very well, which encourages them to spend their time purposefully and to learn as they play. Children enjoy many interesting activities and are able to choose active or quiet play according to their

p.3

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 needs. There is easy access to toys, which means that children can make independent choices and initiate their own play.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are regular opportunities for children to explore their immediate environment and the childminder considers each child's age, interests and abilities when planning activities. This effectively contributes to ensuring that activities are suitably challenging and help children to make good progress in all areas of their development.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's use of language is significantly enhanced as the childminder uses lots of language to extend children's vocabulary. For example, when children initiate counting raisins and carrots on a picture the childminder links this to the fruit they have for snack and extends the learning processes for the children. Children happily talk about what they are doing and confidently communicate ideas and needs.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework effectively and younger children enthusiastically join in activities as they listen and respond with pleasure to repetitive songs and rhymes.

p.4

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 has a very good awareness of the areas to consider to ensure she continues to meet the needs of all children attending.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective communication and welcoming routines show that there are positive and trusting relationships between the childminder and parents. Children are respected as individuals and the childminder discusses their needs with their parents, which contributes to ensuring that parents are actively involved and complements children's home experiences.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour is good and the childminder offers frequent praise and encouragement to re-assure children and to promote their self-esteem. Children respond well to the childminder's clear and consistent boundaries and her calm, positive approach.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is effective in organising the childminding to support children's care, learning and play. Children are able to make informed choices about their play and can confidently express their needs. Space and resources are organised well and meet children's needs successfully. A flexible approach to planning allows children to make choices, with the childminder supporting and guiding them to extend their play and learning. There are good procedures in place for sharing information with parents, which promotes children's general welfare.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder has a professional approach to childminding and continues to extend her knowledge and understanding of child care by accessing appropriate training opportunities. All of the required documentation is in evidence and the childminder has a positive approach

p.4

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 regarding where improvements can be made. For example, by ensuring that all relevant detail is included in the medication record book, and by extending the child protection policy to cover the procedure to follow if allegations are made whilst a child is in the care of the childminder.

p.4

Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder did not have a current first aid certificate. She has now accessed appropriate training, which means that she has the up-to-date knowledge and skills to manage emergency situations and to administer first aid to children, which promotes their general welfare.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 the medication record includes all of the relevant detail and information • ensure that the child protection policy includes the procedure to follow if allegations of abuse are alleged to have taken place while the child is in the care of the childminder.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5