Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY367045 Unique Reference Number 30 May 2008 Inspection date Carolyn Gifford 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 2008. She lives with her husband and their three year old daughter in Beauchief, Sheffield. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a secure garden for outside play. The family has two pet cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder sometimes walks and sometimes drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She also takes children to local parks, play areas and to the library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years old at any one time and is currently minding three children under eight years old.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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. The childminder helps children to stay healthy and protects them from infection as she has a clear understanding of the importance of good health and hygiene practices. Children learn about personal hygiene through everyday routines, for example, they know they have to wash to wash their hands before eating and are beginning to show some understanding of the reasons why.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have the opportunity to participate in a varied range of physical activities and enjoy outings in the fresh air. This helps to develop their physical skills and maintain a healthy lifestyle, keeping them fit and well. Children's rest and sleep routines are flexible, according to their individual needs and the childminder communicates very well with parents to ensure that she is aware of each child's home routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

All of the relevant written parental consents are in evidence, which effectively contributes to children's general well-being. There are appropriate systems in place to record when medication is given to children. However, the time of the last dose and the reason for the medication is not recorded which compromises children's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of the importance of healthy eating. She effectively helps children to develop healthy eating habits by providing a well balanced and nutritious menu. Documentation is used well to ensure that individual children's dietary needs are met and that parents’ wishes are respected. This effectively contributes to children's overall health and welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a warm and welcoming home environment for children, where safety is given high priority and levels of supervision are very good. Daily risk assessments are completed and the childminder identifies and minimises most of the potential hazards. However, glass bottles of wine are stored in a low level wine rack which is accessible to children and the loops of the vertical blind cords hang within their of children. This compromises children's general safety and welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to access a wide range of toys independently, which helps them to enjoy a variety of experiences and to make choices about their play. Effective use of available space ensures that children have the room to move around freely, which helps them to develop their independent skills. Children play with good quality toys and equipment that the childminder checks regularly for safety and removes or replaces as necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities within child protection procedures, which effectively safeguards and protects children. She continues to extend her knowledge and understanding by accessing further training, which increases her confidence in her ability to protect and keep children safe.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very secure, settled and happy in the childminder's care. They use resources and equipment well, which encourages them to spend their time purposefully and to learn through play. The childminder uses opportunities during play to extend children's knowledge and understanding by introducing concepts such as shape, size and number. Children enjoy many interesting and stimulating activities, using a wide range of resources that support and challenge their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop confidence as the childminder talks to them and shows interest in what they are doing. For example, when children use dressing up clothes and decide to go 'on holiday' the childminder uses appropriate questioning techniques to help them to think about what they might need. This effectively encourages children to develop their predictive and problem solving skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder nurtures early communication skills as she responds to what young children say and does with smiles, eye contact and by echoing their words. Children gain very good levels of self-esteem and confidence as the childminder's support and meaningful praise encourages them to learn and develop what they can do and know when to ask for help.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children show a strong sense of belonging and good levels of independence, curiosity and imagination, which the childminder actively encourages by ensuring that suitable resources are readily accessible. Children are able to progress because the childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and equipment that increases children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. The childminder offers an inclusive service for all children and shows a very good understanding of the areas she would need to consider if caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good communication and welcoming routines show that there are positive relationships between the childminder and parents. The childminder respects children as individuals as she discusses their needs with their parents including daily routines, likes and dislikes. This effectively contributes to meeting children's needs and ensures that parents are actively involved. The childminder makes sure there is time to share the day's events with parents when they come to collect their children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour is good and the childminder discusses behaviour management with parents to ensure consistency of approach. The childminder uses appropriate behaviour management strategies and offers frequent praise and encouragement, which re-assures children and promotes their confidence and self-esteem.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is enhanced by the efficient and effective organisation. All documentation is stored securely, yet readily accessible for parents and for inspection. Children's well-being is promoted as there are good procedures in place for sharing information with parents through daily written and verbal communication.

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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 continues to extend her knowledge and understanding of childcare by accessing further training, which is evident in her approach to her work and in the children's responses to her. Children's care, learning and play are very well promoted because the childminder has a high regard for their welfare.

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Organisation

Space and resources are organised to meet the needs of children successfully and a flexible approach to planning allows children to make choices, with the childminder supporting and guiding them to extend their play and learning.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this is the childminder's first inspection.

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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 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): • ensure that all of the relevant information and detail is recorded in the medication record • ensure that the vertical blind cords and the wine in the wine rack are inaccessible to 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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