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 300456 Inspection date 27/02/2009 Inspector Karen Ann Byfleet

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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

This childminder has been registered since 1989. She lives with her husband and daughter and the family pet cat. The family live in Halfway, a suburb to the South of the City of Sheffield. The childminder lives close to local schools, a park and shopping centre. There is level access to the premises and children have access to all the ground floor area, excluding the lounge. Toilet facilities are also on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children under eight years and when working with another childminder at the premises, this number can increase to eight children under eight years. There are currently eight children on her register and of these four are in the early years age range. Children attend a variety of sessions throughout the week.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a Level 3 childcare qualification and is a member of the National Childminders Association. She is also an active member of the Sheffield Children First Childminding Network and the Mosborough Townships Childminders Cooperative. She regularly attends the local carer and toddler group and receives support from the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The overall effectiveness is good. The childminder supports children's welfare well. She provides a wide range of interesting and enjoyable experiences for all children and she actively engages in each child's play to extend their learning appropriately. The childminder has built positive partnerships with parents and others, which enables her to fully meet children's individual needs. However, although the childminder evaluates her practice to ensure continuous improvement, the improvements since the last inspection have not been fully implemented.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure evacuation drill details are recorded  ensure the written risk assessment includes all outings undertaken  ensure the administration of any medication given to children has prior written consent from parents each time it is required.

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provision

The childminder ensures all parents are fully informed of their child's well-being through daily diaries which give information such as sleep times, what the children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 have eaten, and activities they have enjoyed. All policies are in place and shared with parents. Children's individual needs are fully discussed and information is exchanged with parents about their child's progress. Links with other settings providing for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are good and ensure continuity of care and learning. For example, the childminder extends children's understanding of the wider world to link with activities at the local school.

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provision

The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment for all children in her care. There is a good range of resources with a wide selection for children to make independent choices. A written risk assessment for the home is in place and covers all safety issues. However, there is no written risk assessment for outings. The childminder has made some improvement since her last inspection as she has implemented a complaints procedure which is shared with parents. However, although written consent is obtained for parents for the administration of medication, this is a blanket consent and does not cover individual medication. The childminder evaluates her practice and is always looking at ways to enhance the care and education she provides, therefore ensuring continuous improvement to her provision. The childminder meets the qualification requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and attends many additional training courses to increase

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provision

her knowledge of childcare issues. She is an active member of the local childminding co-operative and they meet regularly with the children. This enables her to look at what is offered and share practises with others.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health is actively promoted within the setting. Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided and children are given regular drinks of fresh water throughout the day. There are clear routines for hand washing before eating and after using the bathroom and children with infectious illnesses are excluded. This helps to prevent the spread of infection. Many opportunities for physical activities clearly help children to develop a positive attitude to exercise. For example, they enjoy playing outside regularly, visiting the local parks and woodlands like Sherwood Forest, where they are able to access a range of equipment for climbing and balancing. Children are happy and respond positively to the childminder engaging in conversations and developing their communication and literacy skills as they play, building towers of bricks, posting shapes into shape sorters and looking at books together. As the childminder looks at books with a young child

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

she explains the pictures and uses language such as 'up and down' the slide and 'splashing' in the water, helping to develop the child's vocabulary.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder praises children for their efforts and achievements. For example, when they successfully post the correct shapes into the shape sorter, she claps and says 'well done'. This helps to develop children's self-esteem. The childminder provides opportunities for children to play with a range of activities which help to raise awareness of diversity. For example, books, dressing up clothes and visits to the local museum. A wider range of resources such as paints, dough and role play are available to the younger children at the local childminding group which meets most mornings. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Through her sound knowledge of the six areas of learning under the Early Years Foundation Stage, the childminder plans a good range of activities to ensure all children's enjoyment is maintained. She has started to record observations of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children as they play and to make assessments of their learning. She uses the information well to ensure all children's interests and learning styles are catered for and she demonstrates a good understanding of the children's next steps. 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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