Childminder in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 300531 Inspection date 14 December 2005 Inspector Sarah Gilpin

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since 1998. She lives in Sheffield with her husband and their two children aged 9 and 13 years. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children under 8 years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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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 The childminder runs a local toddler group and she is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder actively helps children to be healthy. They learn about good hygiene practices through everyday routines, for example, the children know that they wash their hands to remove germs. The childminder uses effective cleaning methods, such as using anti-bacterial spray on food preparation areas, which limits cross contamination and helps to maintain children's good health. Arrangements for meals and drinks are negotiated with parents so that children's individual dietary needs are successfully met. For example, organic food has been introduced at the request of parents. The childminder works effectively in partnership with the parents to combat issues relating to eating, using a consistent approach that encourages children to try a wide range of healthy foods. Children's rest and sleep routines are flexible to meet their individual needs, for example, children can choose

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Helping children to be healthy

to rest or engage in quiet activities such as story time. Children enjoy worthwhile outdoor activities in the fresh air, these contribute to their good health. They have regular exercise as they walk to and from school and when visiting local parks and amenities where feeding the ducks is a favourite activity. Children are beginning to recognise the features of a healthy lifestyle, such as exercise. They show great interest in the childminders 'jogging' routine.

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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 warm, welcoming and secure environment. Their different needs are catered for safely by the good use of the available space. The childminder gives priority to safe supervision of children, and has few recorded accidents. Risks and hazards are appropriately assessed to promote children's safety and enjoyment. The childminder currently walks to and from school to take and collect children and successfully raises their awareness of road safety. For example, young children demonstrate that they know to 'stop' when the man is red and 'go' when he is green at the pelican crossing. Children have access to a suitable range of toys and equipment. These are maintained in a safe condition and meet the required safety standard. The children use designated areas of the home, and the well organised toy storage means that they can safely access a varied range of resources. There are gates and secure

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

fencing in the outdoor area and as a result children can play safely outside. The childminder implements required safety procedures appropriately. She has a satisfactory understanding of her responsibility to protect children within the Area

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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 Child Protection Procedures, which ensures children are safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy being in the caring and inviting environment. There are warm and affectionate relationships between the children and the childminder, and as a result the children are happy and well settled. Children enjoy a broad range of activities and experiences, including opportunities for rest and relaxing activities, outdoor experiences, such as feeding the ducks in the local park and creative play. They are able to access the available resources independently and choose for themselves. Young children develop confidence as they are reassured by the close physical presence of the childminder who happily joins the children's car and garage play when asked. Children show great interest in what they do. For example, they learn that pressing buttons on the Christmas ornaments means they play songs. The childminder is actively involved and plays alongside the children. She does however,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

lack knowledge of the Birth To Three Matters framework which, will enable her enhance the care offered and support planning for this age group. Children demonstrate excellent language development because the childminder supports them well. She listens to them and talks to them frequently, asking questions and introducing new vocabulary, such as slope and escalator.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop a growing awareness of themselves and with the help of the childminder they contribute to their own needs. For example, they are effectively supported by the childminder to manage their own personal hygiene. Children receive praise and encouragement as they play. Young children clearly understand the simple rules and explanations given to them by the childminder, such as playing with an alternative, quieter activity when asked. There is suitable provision for all children. The childminder is very experienced in caring for children with individual special needs. She successfully promotes children's awareness of people with disabilities, however, there are insufficient resources to raise children's awareness of other cultures and the world around them. Children are helped to feel secure and included because the childminder works well with parents and ensure appropriate links with home are maintained. Daily verbal

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Helping children make a positive contribution

exchanges ensure that parents know about the days events and their children's achievements.

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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 maintains the majority of the required paperwork to support the care of the children. However, the recently required complaints record is not fully prepared and the system to record existing injuries is in place, but is not routinely used when children arrive at the provision with obvious injuries. The environment is organised to keep children safe and the resources are stored to enable children to access them independently. The childminder's adequate understanding and implementation of required policies and procedures protects children. She communicates daily with parents to share information about children's care needs. Overall, the childminder promotes the outcomes for the children and meets the needs of the range of children for whom care is provided.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to improve documentation, such as consents from parents and information on notifiable diseases. These are now in place and as a result there has been a significant improvement in the organisation of the documents to support the effective care of the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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): • develop the provision for under three's by using the Birth to Three matters framework • improve recording of existing injuries and provide a clear complaints record • improve the range of resources to promote children's awareness of the

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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 diversity in society.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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