Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY291691 Unique Reference Number 22 January 2008 Inspection date Lynn Rodgers 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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her partner and her three children aged six, eight and 11 years in a detached house in Swinton, close to the city of Rotherham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house, plus the first floor bathroom, is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years all day, for part of each week. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The environment is warm, clean and very well maintained. Children are able to rest and be active according to their needs and are well protected from harm, through the provision of appropriate health and safety measures. The childminder provides children with healthy and

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 nutritious seasonal fruits and a variety of sugar-free drinks. Any meals provided by the childminder take into account children's preferences and parents' wishes. Children's records contain details of any dietary or religious requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures all children are familiar with daily routines and the importance of practising personal hygiene skills. They know, for example, when to wash their hands to prevent the spread of germs, particularly after they have been to the toilet. Effective procedures are followed by the childminder to protect children from illness and infection. For example, there are regular cleaning routines for toys and equipment and suitable arrangements for informing parents of the exclusions for illnesses. However, the towels and children's flannels are not changed daily to prevent cross infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder ensures children are cared for in a secure environment where risk of accidental injury is minimised through appropriate safety and security precautions. This means children have room to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder sets acceptable examples for children to follow and helps them to understand how to keep themselves safe, both inside and outside the home. Road safety is encouraged during outings and walks. However, she does not ensure children take part in regular fire drills or keep a record of when they occur.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has the required documents and procedures in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she has an understanding of child protection procedures in line with the Local Safeguarding Children's Board to help and guide her through the correct procedures when reporting any concerns about a child placed in her care. She has attended and completed basic child protection training and has evidence of where she would document any concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to ask for toys and activities from a wide range of resources. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to ensure they are safe, age appropriate and in good condition. Children are encouraged to help tidy away toys they have finished with to help them take responsibility for keeping themselves safe. The outside play area is secure and well maintained.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder sets out activities prior to children's arrival, making sure they are age appropriate and stimulating. Daily rotation of toys ensures the children have access to a wide range of play situations. They have a good relationship with each other and are happy and contented. Children are confident and settled with the childminder. The childminder encourages the children to interact with other children at the local playgroup and with her own family. They have made friends in the community and this means they are beginning to build meaningful relationships and enjoy being sociable.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder encourages independence and self-help. For example, choosing toys they like and deciding what to play with. Toys and resources are of a wide range and provide children with stimulation and sufficient challenge and give opportunity for them to explore and be active. The childminder ensures children have plenty of fresh air and exercise through outdoor

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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 play and visits to the local parks and places of interest. Daily routines are established, such as going to the toilet and snack times.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Partnership with parents is effective. They are fully conversed in the daily routines and what their child has been doing. Regular verbal communication and shared information ensures they are aware of the service the childminder provides. The childminder has passed onto parents, the relevant information regarding the procedure for making a complaint, with details of the regulator's name, address and telephone number. However, she has no method for keeping a record of any complaints.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder values and respects children as individuals and their needs are met as they follow their daily routines. Parents' wishes are taken into account when establishing children's needs and all relevant information is recorded at the initial visit. Children learn about the local community and have access to satisfactory multi-cultural resources reflecting diversity and the world around us.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children show concern for each other, generally playing harmoniously together and behave well through clear guidance, praise and encouragement from the childminder. House rules are established and children are aware of what they can and can not do. For example, completing simple tasks, such as helping to tidy toys away. They are beginning to understand right from wrong through consistent and achievable boundaries and are learning to develop a positive attitude towards each other.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is organised and has most relevant documentation in place. She has organised her file to allow easy access for inspections. The childminder records the names and details of the authorised persons collecting the minded children. However, the times of children's attendances are not clearly recorded. She displays her registration certificate where it can be easily seen. Emergency contact numbers are logged in her mobile telephone to enable her to call parents quickly.

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Organisation

Documentation is stored away safely and out of reach of persons not authorised to see it. Relevant information is shared with parents and confidentiality maintained. Children's safety is addressed positively to ensure they are cared for in a generally safe and secure environment. Adult-child ratios are maintained and children are fully supervised. The childminder has completed some relevant training regarding childminding and continues to access training courses when they become available. 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

At the last inspection there were some recommendations raised regarding documentation, training and resources. The childminder has addressed these matters positively through extending her resources reflecting diversity and has obtained written parental permission to administer medication and emergency first aid treatment. The childminder has completed basic training for safeguarding children, and knows what to do should any concerns about children occur.

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Improvements 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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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 any complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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): • promote the good health of children by ensuring towels and flannels are regularly changed • organise regular fire drills and keep a record of when these happen • devise a method for keeping a record of any complaints made by parents • ensure the times of children's attendances are clearly recorded.

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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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