Childminder in Doncaster

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 317960 Inspection date 17/12/2008 Inspector Carolyn Gifford

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Type of setting Childminder 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 report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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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. 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 was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and their three children aged 21 years, 19 years and 16 years old at Wheatley Hills in Doncaster. The whole of the ground floor of the premises is available for childminding, which includes a lounge, dining room, hallway, kitchen and toilet facilities. The premises are accessible via a level driveway and one step to the front door. The family has a pet cat and a golden retriever dog.

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Description of the childminding

The property is within walking distance of schools, shops and public transport.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years old at any one time. There are currently seven children on roll, five of whom are in the early years age group. Children attend for varying days and times.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, compulsory part of the Childcare Register and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. The childminder's daughter is registered as her assistant.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder recognises the uniqueness of the children she is minding and they are happy and settled in the well organised setting. She knows them well and has the knowledge and skills to provide effectively for their individual needs. All children are welcomed into the setting and the childminder provides very good support and guidance to enable them to achieve their maximum potential. The childminder has systems in place for planning and assessing activities and children's progress, but these are not fully developed to ensure that that the six areas of learning are covered in sufficient depth and breadth.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop systems for planning and assessment to ensure that the six areas of learning are covered in sufficient depth and breadth.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a very good knowledge and understanding of how to care effectively for the individual needs of the children she is minding. She is strongly committed to maintaining continuous improvement by accessing further training opportunities to enhance her childcare service. For example, the childminder is booked to attend a 'safeguarding children refresher course' in March 2009 and plans to access Early Years Foundation Stage training workshops. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has established a very good partnership with parents and other agencies involved in providing for children’s learning and development and actively encourages and includes parents. This means that parents are fully informed and able to contribute to their children’s learning and development.

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provision

The childminder has a very good understanding of her role in promoting children's safety and general welfare. All records are maintained extremely well and written policies and procedures underpin important areas of the childminder's practice. They are readily available to parents and have a positive impact on the safety and well-being of children. Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a very good awareness of her role and responsibilities with regard to child protection and knows the procedure to follow in the event of having concerns about children.

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provision

Although systems for planning, observation and assessment are not fully developed the childminder does ensure that each child has enjoyable and challenging experiences across all areas of learning. There is photographic evidence available showing children enjoying a wide and varied range of interesting and stimulating activities. Children take part enthusiastically in activities that are well matched to their individual needs. For example, when children show interest in putting the wooden train track together, the childminder asks open questions that actively encourage children to think critically and develop problem solving skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is committed to providing high quality care and education and uses her knowledge and understanding of how young children learn and develop very well. The environment is organised extremely well to create exciting, interesting and stimulating play and learning opportunities that capture children's imagination and builds on their natural curiosity as learners. For example, when the childminder takes children on local walks, she extends their knowledge and understanding by encouraging them to describe what they see, collect pine cones and leaves and links this experience to art and craft activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have regular access to outdoor play, both at the setting and at local parks and play areas, which means that they have the opportunity to explore and develop their own play. There are clear procedures in place for conducting daily checks to make sure that any potential hazards, highlighted by the risk assessment process, are minimised or eliminated, which means that children are cared for in a very safe and secure environment. The childminder talks to children about road safety, when on routine outings, which effectively contributes to children learning to keep themselves safe.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

There is a good balance between adult led and child initiated activities and space and resources are organised for maximum benefit for the children. This effectively contributes to ensuring that children can safely and easily access toys and equipment that are suitable for their age and stage of development. For example, children playing happily with the toy till, develop their knowledge and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding of number by counting and sorting the play money. The childminder intervenes appropriately and uses good questioning techniques that encourage children to think critically and learn to problem solve.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Inclusive practice is promoted well and the childminder provides very good levels of support to ensure that children's individual learning needs are met successfully and they make good progress in their learning and development regardless of background, learning difficulties or disabilities. Children's behaviour is good and the childminder's high expectations and effective use of praise and encouragement ensures that children develop a positive self-esteem, feel valued and learn right from wrong in a caring and supportive environment.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a clean and safe environment where effective measures are taken to protect them from the spread of infection and keep them safe and secure. For example, the childminder encourages children to learn about the importance of personal hygiene practices and children show some understanding of why they need to wash their hands at appropriate times.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a healthy and well balanced diet and learn about healthy eating through activities and discussions with the childminder. The childminder finds out about children's interests, likes and dislikes and records all relevant information and detail after discussion with their parents. 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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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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