Childminder in Sheffield

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 EY217150 Inspection date 09/10/2008 Inspector Sarah Gilpin / Ann Law

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and their four children, aged 11, 10, eight and five years in an extended semi-detached house in the Stocksbridge area of Sheffield. The home is easily accessible and the whole of the ground floor is used by the children for play and they have access toilet facilities on that level. There is a large garden that has two levels for outdoor play, which is fully enclosed. The family have two guinea pigs, two hamsters and tropical fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to provide care for a maximum of five children under eight years and there are currently five children in the early years age group and 11 older children attending. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Care is provided for the children each weekday from 07.45 until 18.00 and throughout the year.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends a local childminder support group and is a member of the Sheffield and National Childminding Association. She also attends local toddler groups and visits the library with the children. She has completed the National Child Minding Association (NCMA) quality assurance scheme, Quality First obtaining a level 2. The childminder is currently working towards a Foundation Degree in Early Years and has completed a level 4 Certificate in Early Years Practice.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The children thrive in an environment that is child focused and organised to meet their individual needs this helps the children to make good progress in all aspects of their learning. The childminder's positive approach to reflective practice and self evaluation ensure that she works hard to consistently improve the outcomes for the children in her care. Through seeking to develop her own knowledge, she has developed the quality of her setting to effectively promote the learning and development of all of the children she cares for. There are excellent working relationships with the parents and carers that ensure the childminder can support them and provide continuity of care for the children. The childminder uses her close links with the local schools to ensure the children in her care are safeguarded.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the observation and assessment of the children's progress in order to make clear links to the planning for their individual learning and development  further develop links with other care providers to support the care and learning of the children in the provision. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is extremely well organised and has a comprehensive range of policies and procedures, which she implements successfully to ensure that all of the children in her care are safe and well cared for. There are clear procedures for conducting daily checks to make sure that any hazards highlighted through the extensive risk assessment process are minimised or eliminated. The home provides a stimulating and exciting environment for the children because it is child centred and resources are carefully arranged to be easily accessible. The children are safeguarded because the childminder demonstrates a clear knowledge and understanding of the procedures for child protection and she has implemented her procedures to ensure the well-being of the children is maintained.

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provision

The childminder is constantly seeking ways to improve her provision for the children and has used the Ofsted self evaluation form to reflect on what she does well and where there are areas for improvement. In addition to this the childminder has completed a quality assurance scheme and has taken the initiative to ask parents views through a simple questionnaire, the responses to which highlight the parents satisfaction with the service provided. The childminder has dealt with the recommendations from the last inspection and has embraced the changes brought about by the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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provision

The childminder has an extremely positive approach to the work she does and as such has been proactive in seeking training and development opportunities, with a particular focus on developing the inclusive practice in her setting. She recognises that all children are at their own individual stage of development and supports all children including those with learning difficulties to enjoy and achieve. There are close links with the parents and carers, which the childminder fosters effectively through her friendly and informative discussions at pick up and drop off times. She recognises there are connexions to be forged with the other care givers for some of the children in her care and has raised this as an area for development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder uses her home and her knowledge of child development to good effect. She organises the environment to ensure that children can safely and easily access toys and resources that are suitable for their individual stage of development. Information is gathered from parents about the children's likes, dislikes and the things they can do and the childminder uses this as a basis on which to build their learning. Children are observed carefully as they play and learn and this information is recorded and linked to the six areas of learning in their 'Learning Journey' folders. She uses photographs and pieces of the children's art work to show the process of the learning and the end product the children create. The childminder is beginning to connect the learning she observes to the next steps for the individual children, however this is in the early stages of development and the links to planning are not yet secure.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are encouraged to choose for themselves from the vast range of resources available, labelled boxes help to organise and categorise the equipment and a simple but effective photograph 'catalogue' enables children to choose from resources that are stored away. There is a craft table that provides ongoing opportunities for the children to design and create pictures, models and collages. Younger children are beginning to experiment with drawing equipment and are supported by the childminder to match and become familiar with colour names and shades. The outdoor area has a wide range of climbing and balancing equipment that the children can use with the close supervision of the childminder. They embark on outings to local play areas and places of interest, which extends the children's awareness of their local environment and the wider world, as well as giving them

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

opportunities to take exercise in the fresh air. The childminder helps the children to understand about personal safety by taking the children to a talk given by a Road Safety Officer she has helped them to become more aware of the dangers when crossing the roads. To reinforce their learning she has obtained resources, such as a quiz sheet and pictures that she can copy for them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The young children's independence is fostered through allowing them freedom to move between the rooms where care is provided and by ensuring furniture is appropriate to their size. There is a low level table and chairs that enable them to sit and play with jigsaws and matching games. The play kitchen, which is situated in the childminder's kitchen encourages the children to pretend to make meals, while observing the adults preparing their meals. Children are helped to feed themselves using suitable resources, such as cutlery and feeder cups. The meals provided are both balanced and nutritious and the menu, which is displayed for parents, is varied. The childminder holds regular 'house meetings' with the children and these provide an opportunity for the children to discuss how they are feeling and for them to suggest any changes to the setting. One such meeting concluded in the development of simple house rules and another led to the childminder extending the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

range of outdoor equipment. 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

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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

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

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Good How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Good

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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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