Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY276626 Unique Reference Number 19 February 2008 Inspection date Geneen Yvonne Hulse-Brown 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 satisfactory. 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 has been registered since 2004. She lives with her family in a end terraced property in Doncaster. Local shops, schools and parks are within walking distance. The childminder has two children aged five and 15 years old.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, this includes kitchen, living room, conservatory, downstairs toilet, bathroom and hallway. Children have access to a fully enclosed area for outdoor play to the rear of the property. The family have a canary and three dogs. Children are escorted to and from local schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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

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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 satisfactory. Children happily undertake a balanced range of fun activities that keep them healthy. They enjoy daily outdoor activities, including walks to the park and local children’s centre. Children are developing good physical skills and control of their bodies as they have fun playing in the garden and exploring their surroundings. They enjoy climbing and riding bicycles with increasing confidence. Daily outings to playgroup and further afield increase their interest in the environment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children show a secure understanding of when they are hungry or need a drink. They help themselves to their own cups and bottles when they are thirsty and young babies clearly make their needs known to their childminder. Children receive healthy and nutritious meals and snacks as agreed with their parents, they enjoy yoghurt, fruit and milk. The childminder has a sound awareness of children's likes, dislikes and allergies, demonstrating a positive commitment to healthy eating. She has a nutrition policy and a sample menu on file to share with parents. Children are offered many choices of what they want to eat, in line with her policy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean environment where they are learning the importance of good personal hygiene. They know that they wash their hands before eating, after using the toilet and if their fingers are sticky. The childminder’s consistent approach through daily routines ensures that children are learning the importance of good practice. She effectively uses the National Childminding Association documentation for recording accidents, incidents, medication and concerns. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate for working with children and babies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe, welcoming and children friendly home where potential risks are minimized. They move around the home from room to room, as they develop their independence. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe, as the childminder talks to them about good practice. She uses language and stories appropriate to their ages and abilities to help them understand about taking care, for example, sitting nicely on chairs so as not to fall. Sensitive reminders to tidy away, clear obstacles from the floor and move small pieces away from the babies to prevent accidents, aid children’s understanding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children make sound choices of toys, games and equipment that meet safety standards. Boxes of toys and games are organised around the living room for children to access with ease, as they extend their independence. The childminder maintains good levels of supervision, appropriate to the children's ages and abilities, allowing them to explore in safety and choose what they want to do. She is always aware of where they are and what they are doing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder shows a positive regard for the children’s well-being. She has written procedures in place to keep children safe, explaining fire evacuation to them when they are old enough to understand. The childminder has a proforma in place to record fire practices, although she has not used yet it. She demonstrates a secure understanding of child protection issues and procedures, having recently attended the Local Safeguarding Children Board training. She has

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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 a comprehensive policy in place to support her work, although it is not up to date to reflect new changes and recommendations.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are busily involved in a wide range of stimulating and challenging activities. They settle very well with their childminder, making themselves at home. Children are very confident as they choose from a broad variety of planned and spontaneous activities provided by the childminder. They show good independent skills as they select games and instigate role plays that include the adults present. Children enthusiastically act out being ‘ladies’ as they take dollies for walks and balance the fruit basket on their heads as they follow a familiar storyline.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children concentrate well as they play matching games and complete simple and more complex jigsaw puzzles. They laugh and giggle together as they make robot puzzles using a variety of pieces to make the figures look different. Children enthusiastically make choices from easily accessible boxes of toys, games and creative materials suitable for their ages and abilities. They are busy, motivated and absorbed in their play to extend their natural creativity. Children listen intently to familiar and new stories. The childminder effectively uses props and story sacks to enhance the children’s experiences. Young babies are well supported to undertake fun activities and extend their independence, as the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children establish very good relationships with the childminder, playing games, having fun and building on what they know. They demonstrate good levels of self-esteem, as the childminder uses lots of praise and encouragement for attempts and achievements. She uses many opportunities to extend and introduce new vocabulary and help children make decisions to enhance their play. The childminder uses colour and number in games and stories as she plays with the children. Young children have fun with cause and effect toys, giggling with delight as buttons make noises and pop-ups appear. They explore treasure baskets with curiosity, as they develop their senses.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy playing with a balanced range of resources and undertake fun activities that promote their self-esteem. The childminder effectively uses her resources to introduce children to the wider world and promote a positive view of diversity, for example, she uses her local children’s centre to borrow story sacks and toys. Children talk about and share home experiences, they are confident, make choices and ask questions. They enjoy daily outings to develop their understanding and awareness of their local environment and further afield. For example, visits to the library, parks, museums and places of interest.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children follow agreed daily routines that ensure their individual needs are met. They are valued and respected as the childminder know them very well and responds accordingly, such as, recognising when children need individual attention. She has a sound understanding of the needs of all children in her care and plans appropriately to support and extend them. The childminder has a secure knowledge of the abilities of her minded children as she supports them to undertake new experiences and try out new activities. Children’s behaviour is good, as they show respect for each other. This is due to the childminder’s sensitive and calming approach.

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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 childminder has established good communication systems with parents to enable a regular exchange of information and consistent approach to children’s care. Parents have established secure relationships with the childminder and receive a copy of all policies that support the childminder’s work. The childminder is considering the use of daily diaries and information sheets to further inform parents of what children do on a daily basis. However, she has not yet put this record and additional communication system into practice. Children are secure, happy and confidently make decisions about what they want to do at their childminders.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children make themselves at home and are very relaxed at their childminder’s home. They are confident and initiate their own play in an organised environment. Children make sound choices and develop their independence skills as they have fun playing together and with their childminder. The childminder has established appropriate systems for sharing information on a daily basis verbally and maintains most records required for registration, as she does not have a complaints log. She has a wide range of policies in place, although they are still in the process of being updated to meet changes to new legislation. The childminder uses the National Childminding Association to record children’s attendance. However, it is completed retrospectively and does not give a clear picture of who is present. All children’s records are kept secure and confidential.

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Organisation

The childminder works to a basic plan, which includes daily outings with the children. These plans are flexible to allow the children space to make choices and plan their own time. 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. All available space in the home offers children a fun and stimulating environment. 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

The recommendations raised at the previous inspection relating to safety have been successfully addressed to ensure children are kept safe. The recommendations regarding documentation have been updated and are in the process of being reviewed to support the childminder's work. The childminder is in the process of completing her National Vocational Qualification level 3 to develop her knowledge of childcare practice and child development.

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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 complaint 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 satisfactory. 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): • continue to review child protection policy to ensure meets new Local Safeguarding Children Board recommendations • consider developing information for parents regarding the children's development and daily activities • review recording of children's attendance to clearly show who is present • continue to update policies and procedures to support existing work practices.

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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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