Childminder in Rotherham

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 EY376255 Inspection date 15/12/2008 Inspector Angela Howard

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and three years old. The family lives in Laughton, a large village in the borough of Rotherham. The whole of the ground floor and two bedrooms on the first floor of the premises are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. There are currently four children on roll, of whom three children are in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are at the heart of all that happens at the setting. Their sense of belonging is expertly fostered through the extremely warm, welcoming and homely atmosphere. They are provided with an excellent range of exciting experiences which enrich their overall development. Leadership is inspiring and aspirations for children are very high. Children's individual learning needs are met superbly through highly innovative personalised planning, rigorous assessments and the childminder working in complete partnership with parents and others offering the Early Years Foundation Stage. There is an atmosphere of infectious enthusiasm because the childminder is highly motivated and committed to providing the best care and learning for children in her care. She has a very clear sense of direction and gives utmost priority to self-evaluation, continuous improvement and opportunities for training and development.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue to take up opportunities to access training linked to areas identified during self-evaluation to develop further outcomes for children.

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provision

The childminder has an ambition for excellence, she has a clear vision for the future and has significantly enhanced skills which she uses to promote children's welfare and to support their learning and development. She has devised an active training development programme to ensure she keeps up-to-date in the skills required to provide the best outcomes for children. Although she has very good knowledge of child development, this is an area for further development to maximise outcomes for children. A key strength of the setting is the childminder's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 commitment to the development and improvement of her practice. Highly effective self-evaluation systems ensure she fulfils her vision to provide a high quality standard of care and provides maximum learning opportunities. Extensive planning is in place following the six areas of learning and is personalised to ensure that the

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provision

individual needs of all children are met successfully. The excellent planning documentation shows at a glance that each activity is colour coded to link it to the skills required in the guidance. Colour coded observation files contain a vast amount of meticulous information about children's progress, identifying links with the relevant area of learning and children's next steps. As a result, children's development is expertly targeted and ensures all children are fully integrated and are reaching their full potential.

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provision

Child safety is given utmost priority by the childminder, she has meticulous risk assessments for the premises and outings to ensure the safety of children at all times. The childminder has an excellent awareness of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and the correct procedures to follow should she have any concerns. She records first class information about existing injuries and discusses these with parents, showing that safety of the children in her care is always her first priority. Communication with parents is excellent, the childminder works in complete partnership ensuring parents feel valued and welcome. Parents are updated routinely on how their children are cared for and what they achieve each day by receiving verbal and written information through diaries, photographs and excellent observation and assessment records. There is an extensive selection of high quality policies and procedures, which enhances all aspects of the service and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The environment is used in a highly effective manner and all resources are of excellent quality. A wealth of experiences and activities, such as small world play with animals, ice, pebbles and fake snow, make the activity extremely interesting and encourages children to be active learners. This enlivens children's curiosity and maintains enthusiasm so that they participate eagerly in activities on offer. The childminder organises her day totally around the needs of the children. She promotes an ethos where children are warmly welcomed and valued as unique. A baby giggles with delight as he is scooped into the childminder's arms and she cuddles him.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

First class daily opportunities are provided for children to access a rich, vibrant and innovative range of activities. Children develop extremely well because the childminder knows how to engage children's interest, encouraging them to explore, investigate and be curious. For example, children paint balls white to make pretend snow balls, roll them in glitter and when they are dry roll them to each other. This is then extended further as they use guttering and pipes to roll them down and they understand that the steeper the pipe the quicker they roll. The childminder communicates constantly with young children, she describes what action is required to create the fake snow, children pour water and add the granules and watch in amazement as the 'snow' appears. They are engrossed in handling the snow, letting it trickle through their fingers, and holding the ice, describing its This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

texture and how cold it is and what is happening as everything becomes wet. Very young children accurately identify penguins, seals, polar bears and a snowy owl. They then use their imagination creatively as they describe how the snowman is wet and he needs to get dry and go to bed. They ask for tissues to make covers and a pillow.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children develop an excellent sense of worth through the first class interaction, care and attention they receive from the childminder. For example, children respond eagerly to constant praise and encouragement and enjoy the warm, caring reassurance from the childminder. They feel good about themselves and show respect for each other and are beginning to manage their own behaviour successfully. The childminder has high expectations and her highly effective use of praise ensures children feel self assured and supported.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of food nutrition and offers five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. A menu is displayed informing parents about meal choices, and meals are freshly prepared including dishes from different cultures. All meals are provided according to the dietary needs of the children who are often involved in helping to prepare their own meals. The childminder makes sure children are making excellent progress in their physical development by providing an abundance of opportunities to develop control and to move their bodies in various ways. For example, they ride on a variety of toys requiring different skills to make them move, they balance on beams, dance to music and manipulate a vast amount of different consistencies on a daily basis, such as play dough, fake snow and ice. Children learn about their own safety through following the excellent practice of the childminder. She constantly but gently reminds

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children of safety rules to reinforce safe practice, such as asking the child what will happen if he stands on the chair, she explains rules and boundaries to help children understand why rules exist. This gives them confidence to explore and learn in a safe and secure yet challenging environment. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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 registration.

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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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