Childminder in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY216996 Inspection date 01 September 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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 12 years. The ground floor of the home and a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. Currently she cares for two children. Mrs Grayson is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 stay healthy because they are cared for in a clean environment. They are learning to attend to their personal care as the childminder talks to them about simple good hygiene practice. For example, children know they wash their hands before meals and after playing outside. Children are generally well protected from illness and infection as the childminder tells parents about her sickness policy to make sure children with infectious illness do not attend. However, she does not have a current first aid certificate and so, potentially, is not fully equipped to deal with accidents and emergencies. Children are offered some healthy options for meals and snacks, such as a variety of fruit, which helps promote their awareness of healthy eating. Their individual needs are appropriately met by the childminder through her consulting parents about their children's dietary requirements and healthcare needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy frequent outdoors experiences which contribute to their healthy lifestyle. They go on outings to local parks where they can be physically active and regularly play outside in the garden. This helps them develop confidence and control in their movements. For example, they skilfully use large equipment and manoeuvre wheeled toys around the garden.

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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 steps are taken to identify risks and reduce hazards. For example, the childminder keeps external doors locked with keys hanging nearby for speedy evacuation and restricts children's access to the kitchen with a safety gate. Children are appropriately supervised by the childminder as she makes sure they are usually within sight and always within hearing distance. Children are learning to keep themselves safe as the childminder talks to them about potential dangers. For example, they discuss road safety when they go on outings. Children learn to use large equipment safely when playing outside due to the childminder giving them clear directions and explanations. For example, they know that the protectors on the side of the trampoline must be in place and that they are not allowed to use the trampoline when it has been raining.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with suitable toys and play materials. However, resources are not very well maintained or stored so that they are easy to see. This means that, although children ask confidently for what they want, they are sometimes limited in making choices about their play. Children's welfare is sufficiently safeguarded by the childminder as she has sound understanding of child protection procedures.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are broadly content and settled at the childminder's house. They have warm and positive relationships with the childminder, frequently laughing and having fun, as she is kind and affectionate towards them. She shows interest in what children do and say by talking, listening and asking questions. This contributes to their sense of well-being. Children are helped to make progress in their development by the childminder who interacts in their play to support their learning. For example, children learn to count as the childminder plays counting games in daily activities. Children are generally interested and enjoy their play. For example, they talk animatedly about their favourite games, such as basketball. However, they do not always sustain their interest as play materials are not sufficiently well organised or varied to capture their imagination. Children participate in a range of appropriate

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities which include opportunities to be creative, to relax and have quiet times, to play together and to help with everyday household tasks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are comfortable and familiar with the childminder and her family and so feel some sense of belonging. They develop self-esteem as the childminder finds ways to help them feel good about themselves. For example, she gives them appropriate praise and encourages them to be responsible by setting them achievable tasks, such as helping to tidy away. Parents are suitably informed about what their children do in daily, informal discussions with the childminder. This helps them share in their children's experience. Children are aware of their own needs and are starting to think about the needs of others, with support from the childminder. They go on visits around the local area to introduce them to the wider society, although the childminder provides few other activities to help them learn about equality through play. Children behave well for most of the time. They are learning to manage their own behaviour as the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder provides clear boundaries and consistently reinforces her expectations for good behaviour.

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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 make suitable use of the space in her home so that children can move around freely and can still be adequately supervised. The childminder has in place most required documentation to support the childminding, but does not have a system in place to regularly review

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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 paperwork. This has led to her first aid certificate expiring and to her not securing all necessary agreements with parents. For example, written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder has sound knowledge and understanding of childcare and uses this to support children's development. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection the childminder has improved information for parents by including details of her family in a folder about the childminding.

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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): • complete a first aid course which includes training in first aid for young children • organise and present play materials to be easily accessible, well-maintained and varied so that they capture children's interest and encourage them to make choices about their play • plan further activities to help children learn about equality through play, such as activities to help them appreciate each other's similarities and differences • develop and implement a system to regularly review and update records and procedures relating to the childminding and ensure all required parental permissions are secured in writing.

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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 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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