Childminder in Rotherham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 303076 Inspection date 01 November 2005 Inspector Angela Howard

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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 1998. She lives with her three children aged 16, 14 and 11 years, in a village in the borough of Rotherham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house, plus toilet facilities on the first floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She currently has three children under 5 years and two children over 5 years on roll. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She meets regularly with local childminders and attends local toddler and carer groups.

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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 local childminder's network and employs an assistant at busy times.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well protected from illness and infection as they follow good hygiene procedures and are cared for in clean and well maintained premises. They are encouraged to learn the importance of personal hygiene through good practice and daily routines. For example, children wash their hands after accessing the toilet, before eating and after outdoor play. They understand and explain that to wash hands prevents the spread of germs. Children enjoy a good range of challenging physical activities. Regular visits to parks, daily walks to school and access to a well equipped outdoor play area allows children to develop their all round physical skills. For babies there is a good range of every day objects to be sucked, pulled, squeezed and held to encourage exploration and development of physical skills. The access to a wide range of physical activities contributes to children's good health in a positive manner.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well-rested and alert and so enjoy their play. This is due to the childminder following children's individual eating and sleeping routines that have been agreed with parents. This ensures babies thrive as their nutritional and emotional needs are met successfully. Children enjoy a good range of healthy snacks and drinks, which takes into account children's dietary needs and parents' wishes. This contributes significantly to children's understanding of a healthy lifestyle. Meal times are treated as an opportunity to help children to enjoy their food and become independent in feeding themselves. Babies are encouraged to share control of the bottle and children are encouraged to feed themselves using fingers, forks and spoons. This provides opportunities for sensory learning and increased independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe environment. Hazards are identified and positive steps taken to minimise them to allow children to move around freely and safely. The childminder uses her high level of awareness of safety issues to ensure good safety measures are in place at all times. For example, the use of a fire guard, safety gate, socket covers and a fully enclosed outdoor play area means children can move around freely and safely. Children are actively encouraged to be aware of their own safety and to how avoid accidents. For example, the childminder gives an introduction to road safety when off the premises and gives clear explanations to children about safe practice.

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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 Resources are presented well and are easily accessed allowing children to make choices in a safe manner. Children's toys and equipment are carefully monitored to make sure they remain safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children are appropriately protected as the childminder is sufficiently aware of her role and responsibilities with regards to child protection matters. However, she does need to update her knowledge of the Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children access an interesting and stimulating range of activities and experiences. Activities provide good levels of challenge, appropriate to the age and stage of children's development. Babies are provided with a good range of toys to stimulate their sensory skills and fine motor skills. For example, a wide range of equipment is provided with small buttons on noise activated toys. The quality of babies' and toddlers' learning experiences is being enriched very positively. This could be further developed by use of the Birth to three matters framework. Children are very happy, secure and show a strong sense of belonging. The way equipment is made available for the children allows them to take the initiative and develop increasing independent skills. This results in children being very involved and excited in their own play. Children spend their time purposefully and enjoy playing with the toys provided. For example, while playing with the castle children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

engage in concentrated creative play in which they extend their language and try out new ideas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are very settled and very confident. The quality of interaction shows that a mutual respect and trusting relationship is held, which enables them to build meaningful relationships. The childminder has a very calm and caring manner towards the children. She is attentive and sensitive towards each child's individual needs. Children are given lots of support and encouragement, which helps to develop their confidence and self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concern and their individual needs are met well. This is due to the childminder taking time to get to know the children and working with parents to ensure their daily routine is followed successfully. Children are very happy and content and are showing a strong sense of belonging. They are familiar with daily routines and have formed good relationships with each other, the childminder and her family. This results in children being independent and feeling safe and secure, through which they develop self confidence, a belief in themselves and healthy self esteem. Children are confident to ask questions, voice opinions and make choices.

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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 Children are provided with a good range of resources and activities, which help them to learn about the wider world around them through their play. Their awareness of the local community is promoted well through regular visits to toddler groups, the park and local shops. Children behave well. A clear and consistent approach to managing children's behaviour effectively encourages children to behave well. They learn right from wrong in a warm and caring environment. Children are given clear instruction and guidance and this results in them knowing what is expected of them. Partnerships with parents and carers are very good, which contributes to the children's overall well-being. On going verbal communication ensures that parents are kept up-to-date about their child's care. Children are clearly benefiting from the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

positive partnership and are very settled in response to this.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at ease in the well organised environment. This means children are confident, relaxed and enjoy their time with the childminder. There are effective routines in place that are successfully implemented to ensure children remain happy and settled. The childminder uses local facilities well to broaden children's experiences. For example, by attending local carer groups, outings to the park and local shops on a daily basis she is effectively providing children with a wide range of learning experiences in a variety of ways. All required documentation is in place, up to date and well presented. Required adult-child ratios are met; providing good levels of care and supervision to ensure children are well supported in their learning and care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of 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

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 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): • improve knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures • continue to develop the range of opportunities and experiences for children under three, for example by using the Birth to three 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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