Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY362210 Unique Reference Number 27 May 2008 Inspection date Angela Howard 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 satisfactory. 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 partner and 22 month old daughter. They live in Dinnington, a large residential area in the borough of Rotherham. The whole of the ground floor of the premises is used for childminding. There is a secure garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She currently has two children under eight years old on roll. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable environment, where good standards of hygiene are maintained. The childminder actively promotes children's personal hygiene, such as encouraging children to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. As a result, the risk of cross infection is effectively minimised. The childminder clearly protects children

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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 from infection as parents are informed that sick children cannot be cared for. She maintains clear records of any accidents and any medication administered to ensure children's medical needs are met appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are appropriately nourished as they are provided with a healthy and nutritionally balanced range of snacks and meals. They enjoy fruit and vegetables and homemade meals made from fresh wholesome ingredients daily. Parents' wishes are carefully considered and any dietary requirements adhered to.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have the opportunity to participate in a variety of physical activities, which contribute to their good health and well-being. Babies engage in indoor physical play, such as walking with push-along toys, dancing and building with a variety of bricks. Outdoors younger children love to play with the bouncy castle and wheeled toys. Older children have access to an outdoor play area where they use a variety of equipment to develop their gross motor skills. They enjoy skipping, riding wheeled toys, and kicking and catching balls.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe and well maintained environment. Appropriate safety measures are in place, such as the use of socket covers, safety gates and locks on low-level kitchen cupboards. The entrances to the premises are kept secure and the garden is fully enclosed. This means children can move around freely and safely. Appropriate fire precautions are in place. For example, smoke alarms are in working order, exits are clear of obstructions and there is a clear fire evacuation plan, which is practised with the children routinely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select resources from a satisfactory range of toys that are put out each day. All equipment is checked on a regular basis and meets safety standards. This gives children the opportunity to make some choices and enjoy a wide variety of different play experiences safely. There is a wide range of resources for children under the age of three years but for older children the range is limited.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has acceptable knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities with regards to child protection. She has appropriate Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and appropriate systems in place to record and report any suspected child abuse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children are happy and settled. They share a warm and caring relationship with the childminder. Babies seek her out for approval, as they dance to the music in the background. They stay physically close for reassurance and cuddle with the childminder when upset. This results in them being able to build meaningful relationships. Children are learning appropriate social skills and enjoy being with, and talking to, adults and other children. They feel very secure and are familiar with the established daily routines that allow time to play, rest and eat. The childminder is very caring and has utmost patience when dealing with very young children. As a result, children are confident to explore their surroundings.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children have the opportunity to access a variety of activity based and some sensory play resources. However, the opportunity for children to develop their sensory and exploration skills through natural materials and everyday objects is not fully explored. They thoroughly

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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 enjoy pressing buttons on electronic toys and pushing the push-along toys as they learn to manoeuvre the walker around furniture and toys. Children thoroughly enjoy taking part in early conversations. For example, the childminder echoes the sounds young children make and repeats words as she plays linking words to actions, such as 'ta' and 'hidey' as the children pass her toys and hide in the ball pool. She counts, names colours of bricks and names characters on a television programme. This encourages young children to become confident and competent language users.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children relax after school and enjoy outdoor play. They bring toys from home, such as skate boards and skipping ropes. The range of equipment and activities for older children is very basic. It is limited to drawing materials, books and games consoles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are warmly welcomed into the childminder's home, which strongly fosters their sense of belonging and security. They are treated with equal concern and their individual needs are met appropriately. The childminder recognises that children need a predictable, caring and stimulating environment. She takes time to listen and responds to their needs. This shows children that they are valued and are important to her. Therefore, children are becoming independent and feel safe and secure. Because of this, they develop self confidence, a belief in themselves and a healthy self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The local community is used appropriately to support children's experiences and understanding of the wider world as they visit local places of interest, such as the park, toddler group and shops on a regular basis. However, the range of resources to promote diversity through play is basic.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder gives plenty of praise and encouragement to help develop children's confidence and self-esteem. Household rules are clear and the childminder takes positive steps to reinforce positive behaviour so that they learn to take responsibility for their own behaviour. A clear consistent approach to managing children's behaviour effectively encourages them to behave well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is sound, which contributes to the children's overall well-being. Ongoing verbal communication ensures parents are kept up to date and involved in their child's care. This supports links with home to increase children's sense of belonging. Parents are encouraged to share any concerns and are informed of the complaints policy.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the clear daily routine, enabling them to take part in a wide range of activities throughout the day. Therefore, children feel very much at home and at ease in their surroundings. Space is used effectively to maximise play opportunities and children move around freely and confidently. This contributes successfully to their overall well-being.

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Organisation

All regulatory documentation is in place and is organised sufficiently well to ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times. There is an appropriate range of suitable policies and procedures in place to support most areas of practice. Therefore, children are kept safe and their welfare is fully safeguarded by the childminder's clear implementation of these policies.

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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 The childminder is committed to improving her practice through relevant training opportunities. For example, she has attended child protection and the Early Years Foundation Stage training. 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

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 satisfactory. 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): • provide a suitable range of natural materials for young children to explore • develop a more stimulating range of equipment and activities for older children • develop further the range of resources to promote children's awareness of equal opportunities.

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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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