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 EY303823 Inspection date 04/02/2009 Inspector Karen Cockings

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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 2004. She lives with her husband on the outskirts of Sheffield. She works with her daughter, who is also a registered childminder but does not live on the premises. Both childminders have joint responsibility for the childminding practice. The ground floor rooms of the house are used for childminding and two bedrooms and the bathroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered for a maximum of six children under eight years. When working with her co-childminder they may care together for a maximum of nine children. Currently they are caring for nine children in the early years age group and nine older children, who attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder is included on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is also approved to provide overnight care for two children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder and her co- worker provide a comfortable and welcoming environment, where children's health and well-being are suitably promoted and they make steady progress towards the early learning goals. There are systems in place for observing and recording children's progress, but these do not clearly link to planning or ensure that all areas of learning are covered fully. Appropriate links with parents help to promote continuity of care and children with additional needs are sensitively supported. Most required documents are in place to promote the safe and efficient management of the provision. The childminder and her colleague take steps to improve their service and are beginning to use self-evaluation systems to target areas for development.

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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 use of observations to plan relevant learning experiences for each child  consider further ways of developing the partnerships with parents and with other settings involved in children's care.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 maintain a record of risk assessments related to the home and garden and review it regularly. 16/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children are cared for in a secure and homely environment, where the childminder takes appropriate measures to safeguard their welfare. Safety appliances, such as fireguard and safety gates, are in place and daily checks conducted to ensure that the indoor and outdoor environment is safe. Fencing and a secure gate restrict children's access to the pond which is not covered. There are written risk assessments for specific outings, but requirements are not fully met as systems for recording and reviewing risk assessments of the premises are unclear. The childminder has a sound understanding of her responsibilities with regard to child protection, having recently attended training to update her knowledge. She is sensitive to changes in family circumstances which might affect children's behaviour.

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provision

The environment is organised effectively to enable children to make choices about their play. There is a designated play room with colourful posters and children's art work on display, although children move freely between the two rooms downstairs. Most toys are on low level shelving so that children can select items for themselves. There is limited access currently to the garden, which becomes very waterlogged, but the childminder compensates for this by taking children to local parks, they walk to school and nursery and play active games indoors. The two childminders share responsibility for maintaining the required records, policies and procedures to support children's safety and well-being. A general daily diary is used to record significant events and for communication purposes.

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provision

Close liaison with parents ensures that important information is routinely shared. The childminder spends time with parents when children first start with her, finding out about children's individual needs and interests. There are ongoing conversations with parents who have the opportunity to take away their children's development folders, to peruse at their leisure and share with other relatives if they wish. However, opportunities to involve parents more fully in their children's learning and to invite their contributions to children's records are not yet fully exploited. The childminder finds out what children are doing in school and nursery, so that she can extend activities at home. The environment is welcoming and supportive to children with additional needs. For example, picture cards are used to help children with communication difficulties and the childminder considers simple ways in which she can adapt resources and activities to enable all to

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provision

The childminder is beginning to evaluate the quality of the provision, together with her colleague, in order to help them to identify areas for future development. They recognise that they each have different, but complementary strengths and both highlight the development of the outdoor space as a priority for the coming year. Recommendations raised at the last inspection have been suitably addressed, improving the outcomes for children overall. The childminders attend relevant training and liaise with development workers to enhance their service, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 demonstrating that they have the capacity and the willingness to make identified improvements.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children build trusting relationships with the childminder, who is affectionate towards them and gets to know them well. She cuddles and interacts with babies, developing their language skills and sense of self as she talks to them and encourages them to point to their noses and eyes. She recognises when they are becoming tired and gently cuddles them until they fall asleep. They like to explore their environment as they handle toys, press buttons and find out how things work.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are secure and confident in their surroundings. They are familiar with daily routines and keen to help, for example, with tidying away toys ready for lunch. They show care and respect for each other and know that they should say please and thank you. Older children remind younger ones if they forget. They develop an awareness of how to keep themselves and others safe, because the childminder teaches them about dangers in their environment. During walks and outings they learn how to cross roads safely and how to behave in parks and public areas. The oldest children in the group take responsibility for being the leaders and children know that they only cross at agreed crossing points.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The two childminders work well together to help children to make steady progress in their learning. Both are using training opportunities to help them become more familiar with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. They make regular observations of children in their care, evaluating the success of activities and identifying how they can help children to make further progress. Children's records are well organised and attractively presented; they have individual folders, which include photographs, examples of their work and the childminder's observation notes. Activity plans are based loosely around a monthly theme, such as animals, although these are flexible and responsive to children's interests. Links between the childminders' observations and planning are not yet firmly established, however, and methods of charting children's progress do not clearly reflect all areas of learning. Current limitations on the use of the garden means

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

that some areas, such as knowledge and understanding of the world and physical development, are not always fully promoted.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and well-being are satisfactorily promoted within the setting. The childminder takes effective steps to protect them from the spread of infection, including the provision of face cloths in different colours for each of the children. A hand washing notice is displayed near the sink as a reminder and tissues are readily available for runny noses. Suitable arrangements are made for the family's cats to minimise health risks to children. The childminder ensures she is informed about children's dietary needs and provides healthy foods, such as fruit and yoghurts. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 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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