Childminder in Rotherham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 303076 Inspection date 04/09/2009 Inspector Tracey Jane Outram

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 1998. She lives in Rotherham, South Yorkshire with her children and young grandson. The premises are situated on an established housing estate within walking distance of local amenities, such as, schools, shops and public play areas. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years at any one time, and this includes three places for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The setting also makes provision for older children, which is registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare register. The children occupying these places share the same facilities as the children in the early year’s age range. The childminder is currently caring for six children, of whom three are under the age of six years. The children all attend on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local social groups and pre-school groups. The family have pet dogs.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder takes positive steps to ensure that the children remain healthy, safe and happy within the comfortable surroundings. They enjoy learning through the provision of well-planed activities, that span the breath of the early years curriculum. This includes making good use of both indoor and outdoor learning opportunities. Partnerships with parents are sound and the childminder works closely with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage, such as the local pre-school. This means that children's needs are addressed well, and they make good developmental progress. The childminder has a clear understanding of the strengths of her service including how to secure future improvements.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve partnership with parents by including them in planning the next steps in children's learning and development  develop the use of observations to meet the needs of individual children and support their transitions to school. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder places strong emphasis on safeguarding children. They are effectively supervised and clear vetting procedures ensure that all adult members of the household are suitable to have contact with the minded children. In addition, the childminder has a secure understanding of the local child protection procedures, including access to the latest government guidance that details the steps to take if you are worried that a child is being abused. She is vigilant and good measures are put in place, to ensure that the indoor and outdoor environment is secure and children remain safe on outings. For instance, risk assessments are completed and daily checks are carried out to minimise any risks to children's good health and welfare.

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the early years provision

The childminder has high expectations for the learning and development of all children in her care. Consequently, she successfully provides children with activities that offer challenge and stimulation that is applicable to their ages and stages of development. This is achieved through the use of the observations, which enable her to plan and adapt activities to provide elements of personalised learning.

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the early years provision

Overall, the childminder manages her time effectively and makes good provision for children's learning and development. Resources are used effectively and the environment is both accessible and well defined; consequently, children are afforded opportunities to enjoy boisterous and active play along with designated areas for relaxing and playing quietly. The childminder is skilled at supporting children's personal, social, and emotional development; she has forged some strong links with the local pre-school group, and this successfully supports the children's progression. However, less emphasis is placed on planning and supporting the children's transitions to school. Partnerships with parents are satisfactory, although they are consulted and involved in discussions concerning children's development and progress. The systems to encourage parents to take an active part in planning for the next steps in children's learning are not rigorous.

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the early years provision

The childminder is able to objectively reflect on her service through the process of self-evaluation. For example, she has accurately identified areas of her practice that require the most significant improvement, in order to build on her strengths and improve outcomes for children. This includes attending further training in relation to the effective use of observations.

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and outcomes for children

The children feel safe and secure within the setting, they are treated respectfully and welcomed into the comfortable surroundings. They demonstrate interests and curiosity as they explore the interesting range of accessibly stored resources. A key strength of the service is the effort that the childminder puts into building relationships, through helping children to behave well and show care and concern for each other. For example, the children are able to listen to each other and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 respect differing opinions, as they enthusiastically socialise and interact with other members of the local community.

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and outcomes for children

The children respond with enthusiasm to the familiar daily routines and are happy to follow the simple house rules and instructions. They are also highly confident and self-assured as they explore their surroundings, and make independent choices of resources and activities. For example, the children make spontaneous use of the outdoor play area and enjoy physical activities that counter sedentary lifestyles. This provides children with first-hand opportunities to explore the environment through making observations and learning about the seasons, weather patterns and nature. For instance, they learn about caring for plants and growing their own food, such as, lettuces, tomatoes and green beans, which they harvest, prepare and eat. In addition, the children enjoy frequent outings to local places of interest, such as parks, woodlands and the ‘Butterfly House’. This provides children with a broader range of learning opportunities and helps them to

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and outcomes for children

recognise features of the natural world.

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and outcomes for children

The good range of planned activities including the use of natural play materials, such as sand, water and dough successfully supports children to develop skills for the future. For instance, the children are eager to use numbers during their play and they demonstrate writing skills as they use different media, such as paint to make marks which carry meaning. The children are animated and articulate, language freely flows as the children talk about what they are doing and thinking. This successfully supports children’s cognitive development; for example, as the childminder bakes bread the children comment on the smell and talk about their own experiences of baking and food preparation. Children's physical skills and self- help skills are very good; they are highly independent and demonstrate very good bodily control movement and coordination. For example, they enjoy using apparatus that aids their large motors skills along, with a selection of one-handed

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and outcomes for children

tools and resources, such as 'hammer beads' which aid hand-eye coordination. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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