Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY359006 Unique Reference Number 21 April 2008 Inspection date Yvonne Victoria Facey 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 2007. She lives with her husband and three children, aged 14, 10 and 8 years in a suburb of North Sheffield. The ground floor rooms of the house are used for childminding, with the exception of the rooms in the garage extension. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has two rabbits and fish kept in a garden pond. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children. There are currently four children on roll. The childminder is a qualified and experienced nursery teacher.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for in an extremely comfortable, clean home and thrive because the childminder follows very good practice to keep them healthy. They gain a good understanding of personal hygiene and are developing independence in self-care skills. Children wash their hands and use individual hand towels, which reduces the risk of cross infection. The childminder follows very good practice when changing nappies, using gloves and nappy sacks to dispose.

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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 Comprehensive documentation, such as clearly detailed accident and medication records. These are shared with parents to maintain good standards of health and hygiene, which promotes children's health. The childminder ensures that children's individual dietary needs are provided for and that all snacks are healthy and nutritious. Children choose which vegetables they are going to have with their meal and discus the menu for the week. Younger children are encouraged to practice feeding themselves. For example, the childminder gives them a spoon of their own as she feeds them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have many opportunities to learn about keeping healthy through enjoyable forms of exercise. They have access to an extensive range of outside play equipment, such as a trampoline and swings. They learn about their bodies and how to keep their bodies healthy. For example, they discuss the effects exercise has on their body and how the blood pumps around their body.

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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 well presented home where risks are effectively minimised. They learn about keeping themselves safe from discussions and practical examples. Children walk round the garden when they first start to identify any potential hazards. For example, begin careful when anyone is on the swings, talk about why the pond is covered and only one person on the trampoline at any one time. As a result children are beginning to observe their own environment and take some responsibility for their own safety. Children practise the fire evacuation and older children are shown each exit when they start. However, the drill is not practised with younger children and are not logged.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well supervised by the childminder in a manner that is appropriate to their age and level of development. Children enjoy using the spacious rooms where they can move around safely and securely. They enjoy easy access to a wide range of stimulating and age-appropriate toys and equipment. The childminder has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow to ensure that children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. Children are protected from harm because the childminder who has a good understanding of her responsibilities in dealing with child protection concerns. She has comprehensive documentation in place and has completed relevant training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely happy and very settled with the childminder. She provides excellent levels of interaction with children, spending lots of time at children's level talking and exploring activities with them. Children participate enthusiastically in a wide range of activities provided by the childminder to engage their interest and promote their development. Activities are planned to a high standard and are assessed and evaluated to ensure children are learning valuable skills. Children are engrossed in their activities and use their resources very well. For example, toddlers enjoys playing in the large cardboard box made into a house and joins in with the childminder when singing 'hop little bunnies'

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is very skilled at talking to children and brining new experiences to them spontaneously. For example, as children look out of the window she talks about the sparrow going to get seeds and worms and describes how the rabbit washes his face. Children have opportunities to discus their feelings and talk about home experiences. As a result they gain a sense of belonging.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have warm and very close relationships with the childminder. She has an excellent understanding of their individual needs. Children respond instinctively to the childminder's calm and caring manner and, as a result they are confident in her care. The consistent praise and positive attitude shown by the childminder helps develop children's self-esteem. Children are well behaved and they know what is expected of them because the childminder discusses simple house rules with them. For example, respect each other, share and help each other and use good manners.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have opportunities to learn about different cultures and lifestyles through a variety of resources. The childminder also recognises the importance of children learning about their own culture as well as that of others. Relationships with parents are strong. They are kept fully informed about their children through regular verbal and written information in children's home books. The childminder shares detailed examples of children's work and photographs to share with parents showing what new skills children have learnt. She has good systems in place that enable parents to express their views on her care. For instance , parent feedback forms are used asking them to comment on the service provided and care their children receive. The childminder is aware of the complaints procedure and shares this with parents. However some detail is not included as a result parents are not full informed of the complete procedure.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder uses her childcare experience to plan an effective care and learning environment for all children. All required documentation is in place and used effectively to support the care and welfare of children. For example, her registration certificate is displayed for parents and children's daily attendance is accurately recorded with times of their arrival and departure. Records are shared appropriately with parents to make sure that they are fully informed about their children's care and learning. Children feel secure in her well arranged home, which enables them to develop independence.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted which required the provider,

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Complaints since the last inspection

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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Complaints 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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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): • develop own knowledge of the procedures for dealing with complaints • practise fire evacuations with all children.

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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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