Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY263158 Unique Reference Number 08 January 2008 Inspection date Geneen Yvonne Hulse-Brown 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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her family in a semi-detached property in Doncaster. Local shops, schools and parks are within walking distance.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding; this includes kitchen, lounge/dining room, hallway and downstairs toilet. Children have access to a fully enclosed area for outdoor play to the rear of the property. The family have a pet rabbit. Children are escorted to and from local schools.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding five children who attend on a part-time basis.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children happily undertake a wide range of healthy activities. Regular walks and outdoor activities help them develop good control of their bodies. They have fun playing in the garden, exploring their surroundings and extending their physical skills. Children enjoy riding bicycles, climbing on large frames and bouncing on the trampoline. The childminder takes the children on regular outings to toddler groups, a nearby farm and local park to broaden their interest in the environment.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children know when they are hungry and need a drink. They have their own drinks in cups on the kitchen table, where they can help themselves when they are thirsty. Children ask when it is time for snack and then sit together to enjoy toast. All meals and snacks are healthy and nutritious in accordance with parents’ wishes. Children like fresh fruit and milk and enjoy visits to the shops to choose fruit and snacks. The childminder has a very good awareness of children's likes, dislikes and allergies, demonstrating a positive commitment to healthy eating.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children learn the importance of good personal care, as they are cared for in a warm, clean environment. They understand that they wash their hands to remove germs before eating and after handling the family’s rabbit. Children use individual disposable towels to prevent cross infection. They are learning the importance of good practice through daily routines due to the childminder's consistent approach to hygiene. The childminder uses the National Childminding Association documentation for recording accidents, incidents, medication and concerns. She holds a valid first aid certificate for working with children and babies.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming and child friendly home where all potential risks are minimised. They are developing their independence, as they move freely around the home in safety. This is due to the childminder talking to them about good practice and helping them learn how to keep themselves safe. She uses language appropriate to the children’s level of understanding to explain about taking care, for example, reminding them how to sit on a chair and take care when climbing.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children make very good choices of toys, games and activities that meet safety standards. Equipment is organised in boxes around the lounge, which children can access easily and extend their independence. The childminder maintains high levels of supervision, appropriate to the children's ages and abilities, allowing them to explore in safety and choose what they want to do. They are encouraged to help tidy away and clear obstacles from the floor to prevent accidents.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder shows a high regard for the children’s well-being. She has written procedures in place to keep children safe. A fire notice displayed in the kitchen explains fire evacuation to children and the childminder reinforces this when they are old enough to understand. She demonstrates a very good understanding of child protection issues and procedures. However, she has a limited understanding of the new Local Safeguarding Children Board recommendations and plans to access this training through the local authority to update her knowledge.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle very well at the childminder's home and are soon involved in a wide range of stimulating and challenging activities. They are confident and demonstrate their independence by helping themselves to activities, such as dressing dolls, building towers with stacking cups and running carts across the floor.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enthusiastically make good choices from easily accessible boxes of toys, games and creative materials suitable for their ages and abilities. They are busily absorbed in their play as they act out roles using small world cars, animals and figures. Children enjoy exploring their natural creativity as they use different types of pencils and crayons to make pictures. They concentrate well as they complete jigsaws, responding to the childminder's questions about what they can see and animal noises. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses it to support her work.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children establish very good relationships with their childminder as they play together and have fun. New children settle very well in to their environment due to the childminder’s sensitive and reassuring approach. The childminder uses every opportunity to extend language and progress their play to build on what they know. She introduces number when counting jigsaw pieces and matches colours and shapes when completing posting boxes and stacking toys. Children laugh with delight as they play with cause and effect toys, pressing buttons to make noises. They demonstrate good self-esteem, as the childminder uses consistent praise and encouragement for attempts and achievements.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a wide range of quality resources and plans fun activities that promote children's self-esteem. She effectively uses all resources to introduce children to the wider world and promote a positive view of diversity. Children are confident as they excitedly talk about home, ask questions and make secure choices. They eagerly recall what they have done and visits they have been on as they look at photographs with the childminder.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are highly valued and respected as they behave well and interact together. The childminder agrees daily routines with parents to ensure she meets the children’s individual needs. She demonstrates a very good understanding of the abilities of all the children in her care, as she supports them to try new skills and undertake new experiences. The childminder plans activities that challenge and extend the children, recognising when they need individual attention and responding accordingly. For example, ensuring that her newest child is aware of where she is and what she is doing at all times.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn good behaviour and respect for each other due to the childminder’s sensitive approach. They are learning to share toys and take turns with favourite cars and dolls. Children chatter happily to their childminder as they play alongside each other and pull her into their games.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents share information daily and have developed very good relationships with the childminder, which ensures a consistent approach to the care of the children. The childminder uses notice boards, a monthly planner and written information to keep parents informed of what children do at their childminder's. She uses photographs and displays of the children at play to support

p.4

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 her working practice. The childminder keeps individual files for each family to ensure all information is confidential. She has a welcome pack that introduces parents to daily practice and informs them of her policies and procedures. Children are secure, happy and confidently make decisions about what they want to do at their childminder's.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very relaxed and at home in a well organised environment where they are confident to initiate their own play. The childminder consistently shares information with parents, maintaining all appropriate records in a well organised manner. She ensures that all children’s information is up to date, secure and confidential. The childminder has a file of information including certificates, policies and procedures, as well as a welcome pack for families. She has a range of policies and procedures to support her working practice, however, they do not fully reflect changes to new legislation. The childminder has a high commitment to training and personal development.

p.5

Organisation

Flexible planning allows children space to make choices and plan their own time. The childminder sensitively supports and guides them to extend their play and learning. Creative use of all available play space provides children with a stimulating and challenging environment. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Recommendations raised at the previous inspection related to hygiene practice and outdoor safety. The childminder has successfully addressed both issues by providing paper towels for all children and fitting covers to the outside drains. This practice ensures children are healthy and remain safe.

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 complaint 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):

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 • continue to further develop an understanding of Local Safeguarding Children Board recommendations • continue to update policies and procedures to support existing good practice.

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.6

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.6