Childminder in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY298418 Inspection date 31 August 2005 Inspector Trudy Scott

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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 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 partner, her adult daughter and her daughter aged 3 years. All of the home is used for childminding. A fully enclosed garden is available for outdoor play. The family has three cats and two rabbits. The childminder is registered for a maximum of five children at any one time. Currently she cares for one child under five years.

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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 is a member of the National Childminding Association. She regularly visits local playgroups with the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder actively promotes good health and hygiene practice. For example, she makes sure all areas of the home are clean before children arrive and gently reminds them when they need to wash their hands. Older children are supported in attending to their own personal care as the childminder recognises their need for privacy and encourages them to access the bathroom independently. Children enjoy nutritious snacks and meals which include many healthy options, such as a good variety of fruit and vegetables. Children are well rested and alert and therefore enjoy their play. This is due to the childminder talking to parents about their children's individual care and establishing routines that flow with the child's needs. Children enjoy regular outdoor play, which contributes to their good health. They play outside daily where they are physically active and learn new skills, such as controlling

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Helping children to be healthy

their movements on the trampoline. Children just becoming mobile are well supported by the childminder as she stays physically close while encouraging them to move independently.

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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 secure home where the childminder takes appropriate steps to protect them from harm. For example, she uses safety gates to restrict children's access to the stairs and stores dangerous substances out of their reach. Children are generally well protected when playing outside due to the childminder's constant supervision. However, all potential hazards in the garden have not yet been addressed. Children are beginning to understand how to keep themselves safe as the childminder constantly reinforces safe practice, such as teaching road safety on outings and safe practice around the pets. Children have access to a varied range of toys and play materials. Suitable resources are placed within easy reach of the children, either on the floor nearby or in low level storage. This enables them to make choices about their play. Children's welfare is sufficiently well safeguarded as the childminder has reasonable

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding of child protection procedures and has a current first aid certificate.

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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 Children are happy and settled at the childminder's house. They are content with the childminder as she reassures them with her close presence and her kind and affectionate manner. Children develop confidence as the childminder shows interest in what they do and say by talking, listening and asking questions. Babies and young children's communication skills are fostered well by the childminder who responds effectively to their non-verbal communication. For example, she engages playfully with children, makes eye contact, echoes their sounds and talks through their actions. Children enjoy a balanced range of activities and experiences, which include opportunities to relax, be creative and active. Their interest is captured as they find out what they can do with play dough, explore sounds with musical toys and watch

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

rabbits in the pen. Younger children's learning is supported by their interaction with older children. For example, growing babies watch how older children use play dough and imitate their actions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel some sense of belonging as they are warmly welcomed by the childminder and her family. Children are helped to feel good about themselves as the childminder shows she values what they do. For example, she displays the pictures they make on walls of the playroom to encourage them to feel proud of their achievements. Their individual needs are suitably met as the childminder finds out from parents about their children's needs, such as their particular likes and dislikes. Parents share in their children's experiences as the childminder keeps them reasonably well informed about their children's activities through daily discussion and showing them photographs. Children are learning to socialise and are encouraged to participate in shared activities. For example, the childminder enables younger children to join in with older children at the table by fixing a child seat to the dining chair. Children are introduced

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Helping children make a positive contribution

to the lives of others by looking at books with positive images of people from different cultural backgrounds and with varying needs. However, the childminder is not fully secure in her knowledge of how to help children learn about equality through play. Children are learning to manage their behaviour with support from the childminder. She has in place satisfactory systems for promoting good behaviour and sets a good example by showing courtesy and consideration for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's care and well-being are appropriately supported through generally effective organisation. The childminder manages her time to ensure she gives children the attention and care they need to feel secure. She makes good use of the space in her home to create a child-friendly environment. For example, there is a designated playroom containing a variety of suitable resources. She has in place

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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 most required documentation to support the childminding, although some lacks necessary detail. She provides parents with some important information about the childcare, such as Ofsted's details and complaints procedures. She makes sure she is fully carrying out parent's wishes by securing all necessary agreements in writing. The childminder has sound knowledge and understanding of childcare and uses this to provide activities which children enjoy and which support their development. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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): • take steps to protect children from the hazard posed by the greenhouse in the garden • consider further ways of promoting equality through play, for example with activities to help children appreciate each other's similarities and differences • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and ensure parent signatures are included in medication and accident records.

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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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