Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY359136 Unique Reference Number 22 April 2008 Inspection date Geneen Yvonne Hulse-Brown 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 has been registered since 2007. She lives with her family in an end terraced property in Rotherham. Local shops, schools and parks are within walking distance. The childminder has two children aged 21 months and seven years old.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, this includes kitchen and lounge, with upstairs access to bathroom and one bedroom. Children have access to a fully enclosed area for outdoor play to the rear of the property. Children are escorted to and from local schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children who attend on a part time basis. The childminder holds National Vocational Qualification level 2 in Early Years Care and Education.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of fun activities that contributes to their good health. Regular outdoor activities, walks to the local park and further a field help them gain good control of their bodies, as they happily undertake a broad variety of physical activities. They confidently explore their surroundings, as they enjoy riding tricycles and negotiate the stairs with increasing skill. The childminder takes the children on regular outings to the local toddler group, library and walks in the park to broaden their interest in the environment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are starting to know when they are hungry or need a drink. They know when it is time for snack and help themselves to drinks when thirsty. Children receive healthy, nutritious snacks in accordance with parents' wishes, such as fresh fruit, yoghurt and milk. They happily taste new fruits and chatter together about their favourites. The childminder has a good awareness of children's likes, dislikes and allergies, demonstrating a high commitment to healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean environment and are learning the importance of good personal care. They know that they wash their hands after painting and before eating, as the childminder ensures that they can easily access washing facilities. Children learn the importance of good practice through daily routines due to the childminder's consistent approach to hygiene. The childminder uses the National Childminding Association publications effectively to record accidents, incidents, medication and concerns. She has comprehensive information regarding illnesses, ensuring parents are well informed. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate for working with children and babies.

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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 welcoming and child friendly home where all potential risks are minimised, as the childminder conducts regular risk assessments. Children move around the home freely, extending their independence as they make choices of where to play. The childminder consistently reinforces good practice as she helps the children learn how to keep themselves safe. She uses language appropriate to the children’s level of understanding to explain about taking care, for example, when going upstairs to the bathroom. Sensitive reminders and clear explanations to sit careful on chairs and not climb on the furniture help children understand boundaries.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children actively make choices of toys, games and activities that meet safety standards. Equipment is well organised in boxes at floor level for children to access with ease and extend their independence. The childminder maintains high levels of supervision, appropriate to the children’s ages and abilities. She offers them many opportunities to explore in safety and choose what they want to do, whilst always being aware of where they are and what they are doing. Children are encouraged to help tidy away and clear obstacles from the floor to prevent accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates high regard for the children’s well being. She has a comprehensive range of written procedures to keep children safe, including a fire evacuation, which she practises with them regularly when they are old enough to understand. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of child protection issues and procedures, having attended training. She

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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 has a comprehensive policy in place to support her work, although it is not up to date to reflect new changes and Local Safeguarding Children Board recommendations.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle very well at their childminder’s home and are busily involved in a broad range of stimulating and challenging activities. They confidently make active choices from a wide variety of planned and spontaneous activities. The childminder has basic flexible plans in place, which she is in the process of developing further to meet the needs of all children in her care. She responds well to the children’s individual needs and choices. The childminder works with basic themes, such as nature, where the children use numbers, colours and craft activities to develop their understanding of the world around them. Children show good independence skills as they select games and instigate role plays that include all adults present. Children enthusiastically act out making pancakes in the playhouse and take dollies for walks in their prams.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children concentrate well as they play with cause and effect toys, giggling with delight as buttons make noises and pop ups appear. They enjoy build towers with bricks and looking at books with their childminder. She skilfully encourages and extends the children’s language, as she talks about feelings and textures as they listen to favourite stories. Children enthusiastically recall events and outings, as they tell their childminder about going swimming on holiday. They enthusiastically make choices from easily accessible boxes of toys, games and creative materials suitable for their ages and abilities. Children are busy, motivated and absorbed in their play to extend their natural creativity. They enjoy mixing paints to make different colours and move from using brushes, to hand prints and then butterfly pictures. Children listen intently to what their childminder has to say and suggestions she makes. Young children receive good support

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to undertake fun activities and extend their independence, as the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children establish very good relationships with the childminder playing games, having fun and building on what they know. They demonstrate high levels of self-esteem, as the childminder uses numerous opportunities to give praise and encouragement for attempts and achievements. The childminder introduces new vocabulary and offers the children many opportunities to extend and enhance their play, such as by talking about textures when reading and making craft door hangers using pompoms and glitter. Children enjoy busy days with regular outings and planned events, as well as space to explore and widen their experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children enthusiastically enjoy playing with a wide range of resources and undertake fun activities that promote their self-esteem. Effective use of all resources introduces children to the wider world and promotes a positive view of diversity, for example, using the library to borrow books. Children confidently share home experiences and recall fun outings with their childminder as they chatter about holidays. Regular outings in their local environment and further afield extends children’s understanding and awareness of where we live, as they enjoy visiting the library, parks and toddler group.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder successfully meets children’s individual needs as they follow agreed daily routines. She knows the children very well and responds to their individuality accordingly. All

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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 valued and respected as the childminder recognise when they need individual attention or help to complete tasks. The childminder plans a broad range of fun and exciting activities for the children that continually supports and extends them. Her good knowledge of the children’s abilities and interests ensures she provides a stimulating and challenging environment for them to achieve their full potential. Children’s behaviour is good, they show respect for each other as they babble together whilst playing alongside each other. This is due to the childminder’s sensitive and calming approach, as she responds using positive praise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is establishing good communication systems with parents to enable a regular exchange of information and consistent approach to the children’s care. She uses daily diaries to further inform parents of what children do on a daily basis, including activities, outings and general development. Parents are establishing successful relationships with the childminder, as they receive comprehensive information regarding policies and practise that support the childminder’s work. Children are secure, happy and confidently make decisions about what they want to do at their childminders. The childminder has a good understanding of the complaints procedure, as she has a comprehensive policy and complaints log to record any concerns raised.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very relaxed and at home in their childminder’s home. They confidently initiate their own play, making active choices in a well organised environment. Children happily play together and with their childminder as they develop their independence. The childminder has started to develop systems for sharing information on a daily basis and continues to work on her portfolio, which she shares with parents. She is still developing children’s records, using photographs and children’s work to chart their progress. A comprehensive range of policies and procedures support her work and she has reviews planned to ensure that they meet changes to legislation. The childminder effectively uses the National Childminding Association publications to support her work ensuring all children’s records are secure and confidential. The childminder has a visitor’s book, which she effectively maintains to record all visitors to

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Organisation

the home. She demonstrates a high commitment to personal training and development, recording all achievements in her portfolio.

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Organisation

The childminder works to a basic plan, which is flexible to respond to the children’s individual needs and ideas. She plans activities and themes to challenge and extend them, including outings and events to build on their experiences. Children have many opportunities to make active choices and plan their own time. Children are sensitively supported and guided to extend their play and learning. Creative use of all available space in the home offers children a fun and stimulating environment. 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 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

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 provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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): • continue to develop an understanding of Local Safeguarding Children Board recommendations • continue to develop systems to support existing practice.

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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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