Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY282677 Unique Reference Number 17 April 2008 Inspection date Tracey Jane Outram 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 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 2004. She lives with her husband in Herringthorpe, Rotherham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children on outings within the local area. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding 13 children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities, and children with English as a second language.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Effective systems are in place to ensure that the children's good health and welfare are positively addressed. For instance, children are helped to understand the importance of personal hygiene, and a well implemented sickness policy ensures that the risk of cross infection is reduced. The

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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 childminder has attended first aid training and applies numerous good procedures, which are designed to safeguard children. This includes carrying a first aid kit, emergency contact details and written parental permission to obtain medical treatment or advice.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is an advocate of healthy eating and she provides children with a nutritional range of foods and drinks. Menus are well planned to address the individual needs of children while also providing numerous portions of fresh fruit and vegetables. Drinks are readily available to the children at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have many opportunities to benefit from exercise because they are taken for frequent walks. In addition, they have the use of a secure garden, which is well equipped with a range of resources that encourage physical movement, balance and coordination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are warm and welcoming. All areas of the registered premises are suitably equipped and furnished in order to meet the children's different development needs. The childminder has attended health and safety training and is extremely vigilant with regard to the welfare of the children. She takes positive steps to ensure that indoor and outdoor play areas remain secure; for instance potentially hazardous substances are stored out of reach and a range of safety equipment, including a fireguard and socket covers, is in use. The childminder has developed good methods of helping the children realise their own personal safety. They frequently observe and participate in fire evacuation drills and they learn how to take care of themselves through play and talking about how they would deal with a range of different scenarios. This successfully increases the children's confidence to deal with emergencies and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are able to freely access a range of appropriate resources, which are suitable to meet a range of children's varied interests and developmental needs. Children understand the necessity to tidy away toys in order to prevent tripping hazards and they talk with confidence about the safe use of scissors. All equipment conforms to safety standards and the toys are regularly inspected to ensure that they are not broken.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a secure understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and is confident to report any concerns or worries about child abuse or neglect. The contact details of the local investigating agencies are easily accessible and she recognises many of potential signs of child abuse and neglect; consequently, any concerns about children's safety are observed, recorded and reported without delay.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder is knowledgeable about the children's developmental needs. Consequently, she is able to organise and facilitate a good range of planned and spontaneous activities, which successfully extend the children's care, learning and play opportunities. The children enjoy high levels of adult interaction, which supports their growing confidence; however, they have fewer opportunities to play and learn independently. Overall, they demonstrate a good ability to interact with others through participation in a variety of imaginative role-play situations and stories. In addition, the children's creative development is fostered appropriately through the

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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 provision of arts and craft activities, which enables them to experiment with textures and a variety of other interesting mediums, such as glue, dough and paints.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The use of photographs helps the children to develop a strong sense of belonging and good systems are in place to nurture warm and caring relationships. The childminder is very considerate to the needs of the younger children and she takes positive steps to ensure that children are listened to and encouraged to communicate. The children are confident to initiate conversations and they are keen to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. In addition, the children skilfully demonstrate their growing knowledge of shapes, numbers and position as a result of the childminder's continual support and the completion of everyday activities. This includes using construction equipment, sequencing games and small world resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children display warm and caring relationships with the childminder and they benefit from a familiar daily routine. Much praise and encouragement builds the children's confidence and encourages them to conform with the consistently applied behaviour boundaries. The childminder is kind and spends time helping the children to share toys and realise the affect that their own behaviour can have on others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of providing a service that is organised to meet a wide range of individual needs. She successfully implements an equal opportunities policy and fully supports the inclusion of all children with a wide range of different needs. The children are assisted to build mutuality respectful relationships as they learn about a range of different backgrounds and lifestyles in the wider world. Children attending the setting who have English as a second language are well supported by the childminder, who works with them to increase their confidence to communicate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnerships with parents are encouraged and valued; for instance, the childminder provides parents with an abundance of information about the setting and daily reports on the children's time in her care. Written permission is in place to ensure the childminder may take the appropriate action to address children's personal health needs; for example, to apply sun cream and seek emergency medical treatment or advice. In addition, parents are informed of the steps to take should they need to make a complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminding service is effectively organised to meet children's individual care needs and routines. In addition, the home is well organised and children have opportunities to play and enjoy a wide range of early years experiences, for example, attending community groups and participating in local events, such as art competitions. There is a good selection of resources, and activities are well planned to contribute to the children's ongoing development and learning. The childminder ensures that she maintains an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the childminding regulations and increases her knowledge and understanding of childcare by attending a number of relevant training courses.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. They are shared regularly with parents to keep them very well informed about the

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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 service and their child's day. Likewise all of the required paperwork including contracts, children's personal details, emergency contact information and hours of attendance is effectively maintained. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure required adult to child ratios are maintained at all times. Since then she has taken positive steps to ensure that she complies with regulations at all times.

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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 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 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): • encourage children to play and learn independently as well as giving them activities which need more support and encouragement.

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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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