Higton-Shirt, Joanne

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 503489 Inspection date 05/01/2009 Inspector Lynn Rodgers

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and four children aged 18, 14, 10, and eight years, in a semi-detached house in a suburb of Sheffield. The whole of the ground floor, plus first floor toilet facilities, is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Care is offered Monday to Friday, all year round.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding nine children of which, three are in the early years age group. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has two dogs, a corn snake, two geckos, and a pond with fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She has a level three qualification in childcare.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder keeps a record of children's special needs, such as, food allergies and dietary requirements, and she ensures she adheres to the dietary needs. All children are included every activity and outing and the childminder meets their individual needs well. They enjoy their learning because the childminder ensures planned activities are suitable for their ages and stages of development. They have access to a wide range of toys and equipment and the childminder establishes children's favourite things to ensure they enjoy what they do. She continually monitors the children's progress to ensure there is continuous improvement and uses her self-evaluation to highlight any areas for improving the service she offers.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the complaints procedure includes Ofsted's name and address  ensure the fire blanket is easily accessible

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provision

All the childminder's documentation is up-to-date, well presented and very well organised to allow easy access at inspections. She carries out suitable risk assessments on all areas accessed by the children, to ensure the setting is safe, secure, and appropriate for its intended purpose. All persons that come into contact with the children have been vetted and the childminder ensures that all the children are fully supervised. Children's activities are planned with the early learning goals in mind and careful monitoring and assessment ensures their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 individual needs are met.

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provision

The childminder attends regular, relevant training and has recently completed a level three in childcare. She has relevant public liability insurance cover and is first aid trained. Improvements highlighted at the last inspection have been successfully dealt with to ensure all children are safeguarded. The childminder continues to self-evaluate her setting and welcomes comments from parents to help her improve her provision.

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provision

Partnership with parents is good. The childminder has established a very good working relationship with them, and they are fully conversant in what their children do. However, the complaints policy does not include Ofsted's name and address so parents know where to write if they have a complaint. Very positive comments on cards and letters from past parents, commend the childminder on her setting and the service she offers, showing how much they valued her care of their children.

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provision

The childminder shares all relevant information and verbally communicates each day with all parents and encourages them to help children to learn at home. For example, she uses the bear with book toy for children to "borrow.” Parents ask her for advice on what to do to help children to learn and she talks to them about maths and language skills. The childminder has established good links with the local school and they pass on information regarding topics and other work for each term, which she uses to help children's continuity.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Food and drink provided is healthy and nutritious. Children are given choices about what they eat and the childminder has written details of their dietary requirements and preferences. She supports the five a day healthy eating programme to promote a healthy lifestyle. Children are developing good personnel hygiene skills following appropriate routines and the childminder's good examples. They have access to plenty of fresh air and daily exercise and go for walks to the park and surrounding areas. Partnerships with parents are very well established and they have access to all policies and procedures.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder helps children to learn about safety. For example, when they go out they hold hands. She teaches them how to cross roads safely, and they take part in regular fire drills. She regularly checks all toys and equipment for condition and safety. All required safety measures have been taken with the exception of easy accessibility to the fire blanket. Children are encouraged to share, take turns, be kind to each other, and adhere to the house rules. The childminder gives the children lots of praise, to raise their self-esteem and small responsibilities to make them feel good about themselves.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy their learning through well-planned activities that are suitable for their ages and stages of development. They have access to a wide range of toys and equipment and the childminder establishes children's favourite things to ensure they enjoy what they do. They have fun, join in-group play, are happy and contented, and are able to make progress towards the early learning goals in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 relation to their starting points, capabilities, and interests. Planning is centred on the early learning goals and the childminder plots children's progression through observations and assessments. She has established their starting points by talking to the parents and observing what children can do, to enable her to move them onto the next stage of their development. She encourages them to be active learners because she plans fun activities that they are interested in and they are

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

able to be creative and think critically. They have access to art and craft materials and the childminder encourages their mark making and drawing skills. 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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