Childminder in SheffieldOfsted inspection, 3 Aug 2009

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

p.1

Unique reference number 300259 Inspection date 03/08/2009 Inspector Lynn Rodgers

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1992. She lives with her husband and one teenage child in a house in a suburb of Sheffield. The whole of the ground floor of the house, including the first floor toilet facilities and two bedrooms, is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Care is offered Monday to Friday all year round. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, at any one time and is currently minding three children of which, one, is in the early years age group. She is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and regularly meets with fellow childminders and is building relationships with other providers of early years care and education. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family has a dog and a cat.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The provider demonstrates a sound understanding of her strengths and areas for development, which effectively contributes to the ongoing improvement of the service. Children's needs are met through discussions with the parents and children, establishing their interests and observing the children at play. All children are valued and included, they have the same chances to access all toys and activities and enjoy the time they spend with the childminder and her family. Free choice allows children to make their own decisions and initiate their own play. The childminder continually strives to improve her provision and talks to the children and parents about their views and suggestions and any issues they would like her to include in the daily routines.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 ensure fire evacuation is regularly practiced, record when these take place and that all children are included in this procedure  include Ofsted's name and address in the complaints statement.

p.3

provision

The childminder has not quite completed the self-evaluation document, however, she has made a good attempt, and can see the benefits of using this as a way to reflect and evaluate her practice. She speaks to the children and parents about improvements and is welcoming of any suggestions they care to make to help her to improve the setting. The childminder has implemented a system for the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effective management of her setting and ensures all her documentation is kept up- to-date and available for inspections. However, she has omitted to include Ofsted's name, address and telephone number in her complaints procedure. There are robust risk assessments in place and the childminder is proactive to ensure all areas children access are suitable and safe. In the assessment, she includes outings, her garden, the family vehicle, pets and visitors to the home. She spot

p.3

provision

checks indoors and the garden each day and records any hazards and the action taken to keep children safe. She has a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and knows what to do if she has any concerns about a child.

p.4

provision

Children's activities are planned and monitored to ensure all children have appropriate learning experiences. There are systems in place for assessing and observing what children do and the childminder ensures their starting points and next steps are clear and achievable. Activities are varied and stimulate the children; they challenge their thinking and are exciting and fun. Children's information is recorded, parental permissions are obtained in writing and there are systems in place for gathering all relevant information. The childminder keeps her daily register up-to-date, has suitable vehicle insurance cover and has the training and ability to administer emergency first aid. She has completed some training courses relevant to childminding practice and has a positive attitude towards self- development. There are suitable arrangements for emergency back up and the childminder ensures she works within her registered numbers. Improvements since

p.4

provision

the last inspection have not been fully addressed, however, the childminder showed an awareness and understanding of the importance of carrying out regular fire evacuation, with the children.

p.4

provision

Monitoring systems are in place and the childminder knows the children and what they are capable of doing. She has positive ideas on the outcomes for the children and wants them to become competent learners, be confident, mix well with other children and adults, and achieve their goals. Her action plan is to complete the self-evaluation document and submit it on line, update the complaints policy and to address regular fire drills. Partnerships with parents and carers are established through daily, verbal communication. This ensures parents are fully aware what their children do and where they go. They are given verbal details of the children's activities, and any concerns are dealt with over the phone or, at a time more convenient to the parents. All relevant information is shared and the childminder takes time to be accommodating and flexible. Continued learning in the home setting is beginning to be developed, through discussions and offers of loaning

p.4

provision

books and resources. She has liaised with staff at other settings and they know the childminder well, and know they can contact her at any time during the day if parents are unavailable. She talks to them about topics and what the term plans are to enable her carry this on in her setting.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn to keep safe through discussions about Stranger Danger, not touching stray animals, holding hands when walking and staying with the childminder. She shows them how to look for safe places to cross the road and they use the Green Cross Code for this purpose. Children are encouraged to tidy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 away toys they have finished to prevent accidents, and they have talks about possible dangers in the garden, park and on outings. The childminder promotes the good health of children by providing a well balanced diet, meeting their dietary and religious requirements and encouraging them to adopt appropriate personal hygiene skills. They are given choices and she makes sure the food is to their liking and well presented. Children are learning the benefits of physical activity and have access to the garden each day, or if weather is unsuitable, they dance to music

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

inside the home. They have access to suitable outdoor toys and equipment and go to the park for the larger climbing equipment.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder encourages sharing, turn taking and raises the children's self- esteem through positive praise. Children are kind and considerate and show respect for others. House rules apply and children have some input into these. They know what they can, cannot do, know to respect the childminder’s home and are generally well behaved. There are suitable methods in place for the safe handing of a wide range of children's behaviour. The childminder uses time out as a last resort, as she prefers to talk to the children about why they are doing what they do and reasons with them to reach some sort of compromise. She offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere and has a calm and friendly approach, knows children's interests and gets to know them well. They discuss other people and cultures, use empathy dolls, and there are satisfactory resources reflecting diversity.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are confident and comfortable with each other and the childminder; they show interest, can initiate their own play and look to the childminder for help when needed. They have free access to all toys, are able to build meaningful relationships and demonstrate very good interaction together. Children are very happy and settled, they relate past and present experiences, and play well together. They play shops, take turns to answer the phone, take orders and pack goods they are pretending to sell. The childminder promotes their creativity through water play, gluing, sticking, painting, mark making, play dough and model making. The children enjoy imaginative play and there is a well-balanced range of resources to enable them to be involved in a wide range of role-play and dressing up.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Knowledge and understanding of the world is positively promoted as they talk about the seasons, weather, days of the week and months of the year. They join in celebrations and festivals, visit local places of interest and have discussions about other cultures and people. The children are very articulate and are able to hold interesting conversations with each other and adults. The childminder provides opportunities for children to express themselves, listens to what they have to say and joins in their conversations. They read stories, talk on the phone and communicate through mark making and drawings. Children access construction, number board games and jigsaws to encourage problem solving. They are involved in model making and learn to manipulate the bikes and toys when riding them. They use real money to help them to learn about value and they sort for shape and size, recognise number, colours and are beginning to write

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

some numbers. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7