Childminder in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 300301 Inspection date 22 August 2005 Inspector Karen Cockings

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1996. She is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children who attend for a variety of sessions, ranging in age from 1-10 years. The childminder has an adult daughter and a son, aged 19 and15 years respectively. The family lives in a suburb of Sheffield within easy reach of local schools and other amenities. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding and also the bathroom which is upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. Children may have contact with the family's two cats.

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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 The childminder has completed the Certificate in Pre-school Practice and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is very successfully promoted by the childminder who ensures that their well-being is given high priority. She has carefully considered this aspect of her service, preparing written policies and procedures and making sure that children are involved and learning about health issues. For example, they talk together about the importance of cleaning their teeth. Books and stories are used very well to raise children's awareness of how they can keep themselves fit and healthy. The childminder thoughtfully provides special soap dispensers to encourage younger children to wash their hands, particularly if they have been touching the family pets or after using the toilet. This helps to establish good hygiene practice from an early age. There is a strong emphasis within the setting on the promotion of healthy eating patterns. Fruit is a regular feature of snacks and meals and children enjoy choosing

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Helping children to be healthy

what fruit they will have. They very competently help to wash strawberries and cut up kiwi fruits, talking together about how many portions will be needed to constitute their "five a day". Children are also involved in making their own pizzas, selecting toppings to suit their particular tastes. Children enjoy regular physical activity either on walks to school and to local toddler groups or during outings to nearby parks where they have space to run about and play ball games. At the childminder's home they are able to play in the garden where there are suitable outdoor toys available. Events such as sports days are organised with other local childminders and children's efforts are recognised with stickers and certificates. Children's individual health needs are met extremely well because the childminder makes sure she has all the information she needs to enable her to provide good care. She pays very careful attention to the protection of children's skin from sun

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Helping children to be healthy

damage and keeps clear, confidential records of any accidents. The childminder makes sure she regularly updates her knowledge of current health issues by accessing training and making good use of distance learning materials.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is given high priority. The childminder takes effective measures to maintain a safe environment for them, organising her space well so that they can move around safely. She ensures that suitable safety equipment such as fireguard and socket covers are in place to protect children from the risk of injury. Good levels of supervision are provided.

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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 learn how to keep themselves safe because the childminder makes very good use of outings to raise their awareness of road safety and stranger danger. They develop a clear understanding of when it is safe to cross and older children follow agreed ground rules about stopping at certain points so that they are always well within sight of the childminder. Reins and wrist straps are used where necessary with younger children. The childminder is skilled in achieving a good balance between encouraging children's independence and maintaining their safety. For example, children learn to handle tools such as knives and scissors safely. The childminder provides good support as necessary, to help children to develop these skills. As a result, children gain confidence in themselves and their ability to manage everyday tasks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are suitably protected because the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities. She has attended basic and intermediate levels of training in child protection which has raised her awareness of issues and the procedures to follow. She makes effective emergency arrangements with other registered childminders which keeps children safe and provides continuity for families.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy an interesting and stimulating range of activities both indoors and outside. The childminder devises a flexible plan for each day but is also guided by children's feelings and interests and by external events such as the weather. Creative activities such as baking or decorating eggs are a regular feature and are very much enjoyed by the children. They concentrate and use good design skills as they decide what colours and patterns their dinosaur eggs will have. When baking, children are involved in shopping for ingredients so that they are taking part in the whole process and develop a wide range of skills. Books are used very well to extend activities and encourage children to think and find out information for themselves. For example, while colouring their dinosaur pictures they look at relevant books to check on names and features. Children also visit the library with the childminder so that they are able to make their own choices.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children build strong relationships with the childminder and with each other. She knows them well and they feel very comfortable with her, which enables them to share their feelings and experiences. She is sensitive to their anxieties and finds thoughtful ways of helping them to overcome any fears they may have. For example, she makes a special clock to give reassurance to children who may be a little unsettled and worried about when they will be collected. There is lots of laughter and conversation as children play together. They talk readily about what they enjoy doing and enthusiastically recall earlier play experiences. The childminder works well with children of varying ages. However, she is aware of the Birth to three framework and has identified this as an area for future development

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder takes very positive measures to ensure that all children are included and can participate as fully as possible. She finds effective ways of supporting those children who may have additional needs, working closely with parents to help children to settle and to deal with changes. She has attended special needs awareness raising and sign langauge training to support her practice in this area. Children feel a sense of belonging and relate well to members of the childminder's family. They are relaxed and comfortable in the setting, making choices about activities and sharing favourite games from home. Children's behaviour is good. They are encouraged to take responsibility and are actively involved in food preparation and decision making. They show consideration for the needs and feelings of others, listening patiently to the news they share. The childminder takes a very positive

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Helping children make a positive contribution

approach towards the management of children's behaviour which helps them to play cooperatively and with consideration for others. The partnership with parents works well. They are fully informed about the service provided because clear written policies and procedures are shared with them and there is ongoing communication about daily events. For babies, the childminder offers written notes about the routines of the day. Parents are able to see activity plans and often supply items from home for craft activities. This helps to involve them more closely in their children's play and learning. Children learn about the wider society through outings to local shops, parks and children's groups. They also have access to some resources such as small world figures which reflect diversity and activities are sometimes planned to raise children's awareness of different cultures and needs. For example, they may taste different

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Helping children make a positive contribution

foods and use utensils such as woks in their imaginative play.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a well organised and welcoming environment where they are able to move around safely and make choices. They are well supported as they play because the childminder has a good awareness of their differing needs and responds accordingly. Strong links with other local childminders and groups enables the childminder to organise appropriate emergency cover and to broaden the range of experiences she is able to offer. Jointly planned events provide children with opportunities to socialize and enjoy activities with others. Clear written policies and procedures support the smooth running of the provision and keep parents well informed about the childminder's practice. Record keeping systems are well organised and accessible, with separate folders kept for individual children to maintain confidentiality.

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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 The childminder has a strong commitment to the further development of her practice, regularly attending training courses and workshops to keep herself up to date with current issues. Overall the needs of the range of children attending are being met very well.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last care inspection recommended that the childminder improve the range of resources to promote equal opportunities. Children now have access to a variety of small world figures which increase their awareness of disability. The childminder finds that these are a useful talking point with children, helping them to have a better understanding of differing needs. There are also books, dolls and videos which reflect positive images of diversity. In addition, the childminder is aware of ways in which she can borrow extra equipment when planning specific activities with the children. By these means she has taken steps to improve the range of provision made in this area, helping children to be more aware of cultural differences and disability and increasing their choices.

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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): • consider ways of further developing the provision made for the under threes, for example by becoming more familiar with the Birth to three matters framework.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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