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 EY369634 Inspection date 29/07/2009 Inspector Lynn Rodgers

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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 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 parents in a house in a suburb of Sheffield. The whole of the ground floor apart from the lounge of the childminder’s house, 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, when working alone, and for a maximum of eight children when co-childminding with another childminder. The childminder is currently minding two children of which, both are in the Early years age group. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder 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 family have a cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding

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Description of the childminding

Association and is working towards a level 3, National Vocational Qualification.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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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. All children are valued and included, because the childminder takes time to get to know them well. She establishes all relevant information about their likes, dislikes, religious and dietary requirements. The childminder meets their individual needs appropriately through good communication, working closely with their parents and observing and assessing the children's progress. Activities are varied and show a good range of adult and child led experiences that stimulate and excite the children. Continuous improvement is addressed through self-evaluation, reflecting on her practice and including parent's and children's suggestions into the daily activities.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the system in place for planned activities and that they reflect working towards the early learning goals.  keep a clear record of the times of children's attendances.

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provision

The childminder has a very good awareness of how to effectively manage her provision and is continually looking at ways to improve her setting and personal development. She has completed the self-evaluation document and good examples This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of her practice are clearly detailed along with some areas to be improved upon. She has a clear vision of how she intends to move forward and to ensure the children have achievable goals and experiences. The system for risk assessment is robust, all areas are covered in the statements and the daily check list is appropriate and easily managed. She has all the relevant documentation, pertinent to childminding practice, and regular reviews her policies and procedures in line with the requirements of her registration. However, the daily attendance register does not clearly show the times of children's attendances.

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provision

Activities are suitably planned and well organised, however, there is room for improvement in this area. The childminder has begun to make assessments and observations about the children and what they do, and uses this information to enhance their overall progression. She shares this information with their parents and is welcoming of any comments and suggestions, to enable her to make the children's time with her enjoyable and productive. Children's information and details is clearly documented and regularly reviewed to ensure their individual needs are fully met. The childminder has obtained all written permissions from the parents, holds a valid first aid certificate and has appropriate public liability insurance cover. She takes her responsibilities as a childminder very seriously and ensures the well-being of the children is her first priority. She has a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children and follows the procedures

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provision

according to the local safeguarding children board. There are systems in place for emergency back-up and the childminder maintains her adult to child ratios at all times. She has the details of the authorised persons collecting the children and has informed parents of her duty to report any concerns to the appropriate authorities.

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provision

Improvements since the last inspection have been successfully met. The childminder is clearly focused on what the outcomes for the children are and hopes for them to be; independent, happy, well-adjusted, reach their goals and be positive achievers. Partnerships with parents and carers is good, all parties share information and parents are fully conversed about their children's care and education. Parents have appropriate contracts, and receive daily, verbal and written communication. They are encouraged to fill in their children's daily diary comment box, share information from nursery and schools, take part in topics the children are doing by contributing items and knowledge. The childminder has begun to make links with other settings, for example, the drop in centre and local nursery.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are aware of keeping safe. For example; routines for tidying up, being aware of outside danger, stranger awareness, not touching stray animals, no running indoors in case they slip and fall. House rules are established to ensure children know not to climb furniture, jump on or over each other and generally respect the childminder's home. They are beginning to understand about safe places to cross the road, keeping with the childminder when they are out and not running off when they see people they recognise. Behaviour is managed well, though explanations, achievable house rules and boundaries, and children are aware of what they can or cannot do. They are encouraged to share, take turns, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 be kind and considerate and help each other. They socialise with other children and adults and are polite and friendly. Children are beginning to make friends and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

have the opportunity to join in and build positive relationships with others. The children respond very well towards each other and the childminder and they are happy, content in her company, secure and feel safe.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder teaches children to understand and adopt healthy habits such as, good hygiene practices, through daily routines and explaining to children the importance of washing hands to prevent the spread of infection. They have opportunities to make choices about what they do, where they go, what they eat and play with. Children have the opportunity to play outdoors, access equipment that promotes both gross and fine motor skills, and to be aware of the local and wider environment. Children enjoy their learning and are making appropriate progress towards the early learning goals in relation to their starting points, capabilities and interests. They have access to age appropriate activities that are exciting and stimulating and are able to use their imaginations. For example, placing items in the shopping baskets, working out too few or too many, sorting money into values, recognising colour, shape, and size. Children are able to count

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and older children are beginning to understand basic calculation and subtraction. They have creative experiences such as, painting and mark making, depicting colour, texture and are able initiate their own play. They are supported and helped by the childminder and are able to think critically during board games and construction. Children are beginning to understand the wider world, as they talk about the weather and seasons. They are involved in fact finding expeditions in the local environment and take part in discussions and stories about other people and cultures. 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

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