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 EY303831 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 works with her mother, who is also a registered childminder, and minds from her co-childminder's home. The co- childminder's husband lives at the property, which is situated on the outskirts of Sheffield. Both childminders have joint responsibility for the childminding practice. The ground floor rooms of the house are used for childminding and the bathroom and two bedrooms 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 has a level three early years qualification and 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 liaises with parents to meet children's individual needs, taking some positive steps to ensure that all children are fully included. Children's welfare is safeguarded and they make steady progress in their learning, although some areas are less well promoted. Required documents are in place to support the safe and effective management of the provision, with the exception of written risk assessments for the premises. The childminder and her colleague work together effectively and are beginning to use formal systems to evaluate their practice and to highlight plans for future development.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve systems for monitoring children's progress to ensure that all areas of learning are fully promoted  consider further ways of involving parents in their children's learning and inviting their contributions to the assessment process.

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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

The childminder reflects critically upon her practice and is beginning to identify, in consultation with her co-childminder, areas for future development and consolidation. She has an early years qualification and prior experience of working in nursery settings. This has helped to make both childminders more confident about some of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, particularly in making observations of children and maintaining development records. Recommendations made at the previous inspection have been suitably addressed and have had a positive impact on children's care.

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provision

The environment is secure and welcoming. One of the rooms on the ground floor is set out as a comfortable play room, with toys and resources at children's height and colourful posters on display. Children move freely between rooms and are confident to make choices about their play. The development of the garden to provide more exciting learning opportunities, has been identified by the childminders as an area for improvement. It is not always fit for children's use at present, because it becomes waterlogged. However, as an alternative, children visit local parks and go for walks in the surrounding area.

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provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded, because appropriate measures are taken to keep the environment safe and the childminders work effectively together, so as to provide good levels of supervision. A system of daily checks is in place and risk assessments are conducted for specific outings. A clear record is not, however, maintained of risk assessments for the home and garden, which is a breach in requirements. The childminder understands her responsibilities with regard to child protection and knows what procedures to follow should she have any concerns about children in her care. Most records, policies and procedures are maintained appropriately, to promote children's safety and well-being. The childminders share responsibility for most aspects of record keeping, organising paperwork well, so that it is easily accessible.

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provision

The childminder liaises closely with parents, gathering information from them to help her to meet children's individual needs. Information about the service is shared generally through discussion. Children's development records are well presented and parents can take them home to read at their leisure. There are limited opportunities, however, for parents to contribute formally to these records or be actively involved in their children's learning. Partnerships with schools and nurseries also involved in children's care, are being developed. The childminder welcomes and includes all children, taking some effective measures to support children with any additional needs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Interactions with children are warm and positive, which helps children to feel secure and builds their confidence. They chat readily to the childminder, telling her about events at home, such as when they made a big snowball. They relate well to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 each other overall and enjoy playing together. Through games and activities younger children are developing an understanding of the need to share and to take turns. They are familiar with daily routines, such as clearing toys off the table ready for lunch, and they are eager to help. They show care and concern for others as they pick up toys that have fallen and pass them back to other children in the group.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder makes observations of children as they play, to find out what interests them and what they can do. She and her co-childminder have been attending training and using prior experience, to improve systems for recording children's development. They produce attractive folders, which include photographs, observations and examples of children's work, to demonstrate how children are progressing. Monitoring systems are not yet, however, sufficiently robust to show children's sustained progress across all areas and there are some missed opportunities to promote children's learning fully, particularly with regard to knowledge and understanding of the world and physical development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminders talk and listen to children, developing their language and communication skills. Children like to share favourite books and stories and enjoy playing with the train track. They solve simple problems as they work out with the childminder how to fit it together, and counting is incorporated into games and routines. For example, they count the stairs as they come down from the bathroom and the number of bricks in a tower they have built. The childminder gathers resources and ideas to encourage children's creativity in drawing and mark making. They are currently enjoying making their own pictures of animals both in free art work and by making observational drawings from laminated photographs. Some creative activities are specifically planned to raise children's awareness of different festivals and traditions.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable home, where they are suitably protected from the spread of infection. The childminder ensures that the table is cleaned well before children have their meal and that their hands are washed. Children learn about foods that are good for them as they engage in activities, such as tasting different fruits and making collage pictures of their favourites. Full use is not currently made of outdoor spaces to provide opportunities for active play and to promote other learning. However, during walks to school and visits to the park, children learn how to keep safe near busy roads and to be responsible for each other. 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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