Childminder in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 300318 Inspection date 15 September 2005 Inspector Tracey Jane Outram

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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 has been registered since August 1995. She lives with her husband and four children aged 14, 11, 8 and 7 years. They live in a mid-terraced property, which is located in a village near to Sheffield. Children only access the first floor of the property to use the bathroom or to sleep in the rear bedroom, at all other times they remain on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently minding six children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The

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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 childminder walks to the local schools and pre-school groups to take and collect children each day.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s good health is maintained effectively because the childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to providing care in a clean environment. Good hygiene procedures are consistently implemented. For example, young children are sensitively encouraged to wash their hands, particularly, after using the toilet or before eating. This helps to establish good hygiene practice from an early age. Children's individual health needs are appropriately addressed because the childminder takes positive steps to find out about children's health needs from their parents. Consequently, she is able to effectively meet the individual needs of the children, for example, by catering for any special dietary requirements. The range of food and drink that children access is varied, and suitable to address their nutritional requirements. Sugary snacks are provided infrequently, and options such as fruit are

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Helping children to be healthy

made available in order to encourage children to make healthy choices. Children enjoy regular physical activities. They walk to school each day and enjoy outings to nearby parks where they benefit from vigorous exercise and ball games. The childminder strongly encourages children to use wheeled toys, swings, and climbing apparatus. Consequently, children have frequent opportunities to extend and develop their physical skills as they begin to understand the positive effects of exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is warm and comfortable. Good arrangements are in place to ensure that children are able to move around the designated play areas safely and independently. The premises are secure and the childminder takes appropriate steps to protect children from harm. For example, she uses safety gates to restrict young children's access to the stairs and dangerous substances are stored out of their reach. When young children are playing outdoors they are always under the direct supervision of the childminder. However, the supervision of some of the older children who play outside to the front of the premises is not always sufficient to ensure their safety at all times. Children use a range of good quality, safe and developmentally appropriate equipment. This is regularly checked to make-sure that it conforms to safety standards and remains suitable for its purpose. The equipment is well ordered and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

stored appropriately to allow children some opportunities to self-serve and make

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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 choices. The childminder does not hold up to date information on the local child protection procedures and she is unclear as to whom any concerns should be reported to. However, she confidently recognises indicators of child abuse and neglect. She takes seriously her responsibility to safeguard children from abuse or neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a balanced range of activities and experiences, which include daily opportunities for them to relax, be creative and enjoy active playtimes. Well planned and organised play provision, allows children the opportunity to extend their skills and knowledge. For example, children’s interests are developed as they are encouraged to participate in interesting number games and puzzles. This results in an increased ability to count and solve simple problems. Children’s creative development is encouraged by the provision of a varied and interesting selection of brightly coloured arts and craft equipment. Children thoroughly enjoy experimenting with glue, paint, modelling tools and a variety of other mediums. Consequently, they are able to develop their manipulative skills by using small tools such as scissors with increasing skill. The childminder is genuinely interested in the children. She talks and listens to them,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

which helps to develop their vocabulary. They confidently join in conversations and remember facts about the outings they have enjoyed with the childminder, for example, feeding the ducks. As a result, children's awareness of the local area is enhanced and they increase their knowledge and understanding of the community. Interaction between the children and the childminder is caring and trusting, children are made secure through the warm words and praise that are offered to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The needs of children are met effectively. The childminder collects information from parents on initial record forms and establishes routines to meet children's individual requirements. All children have equal access to non-gender stereotyped toys and resources. However, readily accessible toys, resources and activities that promote the wider world are limited, therefore children do not see enough positive images of diversity. The children are very well behaved. They respond appropriately to the well established boundaries and high levels of praise they receive. The childminder has a positive approach to behaviour management. Older children are helped to manage their own behaviour. The childminder takes time to help them to understand the consequences to their actions on others. Children are regularly asked to complete small tasks, which are designed to increase their ability to act responsibly.

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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 The childminder has developed a friendly and supportive relationship with the children's parents this helps to ensure that children’s individual needs are effectively provided for. Information is readily exchanged and as a result children’s achievements’ are shared with their parents each day.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. 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 because the childminder has a good awareness of their differing needs and she responds accordingly. Children's personal records and all other mandatory documentation is well organised, and this adds to the efficient management of the childminding service. However, parents do not have access to written information about the setting. The childminder has sound knowledge and understanding of childcare and uses this to provide activities that children enjoy and which support their development. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve safety, medicine records and the range of equipment to reflect culture and disability. She now keeps written records relating to the administration of medication and has increased children's safety in the rear garden by removing the large wheelbarrow and preventing children's access to the drain. Consequently, children's safety and documentation have been improved. However, there is only a limited amount equipment available to reflect culture and disability. Therefore children do not see enough positive images of diversity in the wider community.

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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 MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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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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): • increase knowledge and understanding of the child protection procedures • ensure that children can play outside safely, and obtain written parental permission for children to leave the registered premises unsupervised • develop the range of equipment to address diversity • ensure written parental consent to administer medication is obtained and stored on file.

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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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