Childminder in Rotherham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY291691 Inspection date 24/03/2010 Inspector Diane Lynn Turner

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 July 2004. She lives with her family in a detached house in a village, close to the city of Rotherham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home, plus the first floor bathroom, is used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and compulsory part of the Childcare Register to care for six children at any one time, three of whom may be within the early years age group. She is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. There are currently six children on roll, two of whom are within the early years age group. Their attendance is a mix of both full and part- time places.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a welcoming and well-maintained environment where they are valued as individuals. They are offered a range of age appropriate activities which effectively support their learning and development, and good attention is paid to keeping them safe and to promoting good relationships with the parents. Clear policies and procedures underpin the effective management of the service. However, some of the required documentation lacks the necessary detail or is not in place, and the systems for monitoring and assessing the quality of the provision are not yet fully developed, to ensure continuous improvement is promoted.

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further?

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

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further?

 request written permission from all parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment (Promoting good health) 31/03/2010

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further?

 improve the record of risk assessment so that it includes information on who conducted it, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 31/03/2010

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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 assessment system to help make informed decisions about all children's progress and to show how the next steps in their development and learning needs are being met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop the system for self-assessment to ensure continuous improvement, for example, by using the Ofsted self-evaluation form and quality improvement processes.

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the early years provision

The childminder pays good attention to safeguarding children and has a sound understanding of her responsibilities with regards to child protection issues. She ensures parents are well-informed of the procedures she would follow if she suspected a child was being abused, and gains their written consent to leave their child in the care of another childminder in the case of an emergency. Effective systems are in place to ensure the premises remain secure, and a fire risk assessment has been carried out on the home by the local fire officer at the childminder's request. The childminder has expertise in the correct selection and fitting of children's safety seats for the car, and carries out risk assessments on her home and for any outings, minimising any risks effectively. She keeps a record of her assessment, however, she does not sign this, which is a welfare requirement. All documentation is well-organised and readily to hand, with records for

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the early years provision

attendance, accidents and medication accurately maintained. However, the childminder has not sought written parental permission for seeking medical advice or treatment in an emergency for all children, which is also a welfare requirement. The childminder clearly enjoys her role and shows she is receptive to developing her service. For example, she has addressed the recommendations raised at her last inspection, including improving the recording of children's attendance, and ensuring the children now practise the emergency evacuation procedures for the home on a regular basis. She regularly discusses elements of good practice with other childminders and has identified that she would like to undertake a Level 3 childcare qualification at some point in the future. However, she has no formal system for self-evaluation, to ensure continuous improvement on an ongoing basis.

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the early years provision

The childminder successfully promotes equality and diversity within her setting. She has experience of caring for children with additional needs and ensures all children are treated with equal concern. She offers them opportunities to learn about the diverse society in which they live through visiting various groups within the community and enables them to make independent choices in their play. For example, by ensuring toys are easily accessible, rotating some items and making others, such as, construction resources, available continuously. The childminder develops good relationships with the parents. She encourages them to read through the policies and procedures for her service prior to the placement beginning, and passes on information about their child's care routines and activities they have been involved in through discussion at the end of the day. She also provides a newsletter at Christmas to inform them of activities the children will

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the early years provision

be involved in during the festive period. Parents spoken to at the inspection stated they are very happy with the care the childminder provides. The childminder has strong links with other childminders in the area and with the staff at the local Children’s Centre, and she is aware of working in partnership with providers of other settings the children may also attend, to promote a shared approach to their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning. The children currently being cared for by the childminder, do not attend any other settings.

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and outcomes for children

Children settle well and are happy and comfortable in the childminder's care. For example, they leave their parents confidently on arrival, keenly greeting the others present, and confidently choosing toys that interest them. The childminder offers a range of activities, including opportunities for the children to extend their learning in the local community, such as visiting the station to observe trains, and the local garden centre where they enjoying feeding the goats and pigs. The childminder encourages lots of conversation as the children play to develop their vocabulary and asks open ended questions to make them think. As a result, the children confidently join in with familiar refrains as they read stories together and are keen to count and identify colours they know as they play with cars and trains. The childminder also encourages them to find solutions to problems, such as, turning pieces of jigsaws round to fit and to persevere to complete the task in hand,

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and outcomes for children

providing lots of praise when they achieve this. Systems are in place to record children’s progress which include photographic evidence and the childminder's observations of the children’s achievements. However, these are not maintained effectively for all children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder effectively supports children's personal, social and emotional development. She has clear boundaries so they know what is expected of them and explains the reasons behind any requests. For example, she explains the importance of tidying away the toys after use to prevent trips and falls, and she encourages good manners. As a result, the children behave well, they know to sit at the table to eat their meals, and they learn to value and respect the toys and equipment. The childminder gives high priority to helping the children learn about keeping themselves safe. For example, they practise the emergency evacuation procedures for the home regularly when she asks the children to imagine that the fire is in a different area of the home each time. The children are then asked which exit they should use and to tell the childminder where the agreed point to wait is once they are outside. The childminder also teaches them road safety when out in

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and outcomes for children

the community and the younger ones confidently relate how it is 'okay' to cross if there are no cars. Through a variety of activities the childminder also ensures the children learn to stay healthy and to understand the value of physical exercise. For example, they have access to a variety of resources in the garden, including a trampoline, to go for walks in the woods and take part in climbing and balancing activities at a physical play session each week. They are encouraged to use wipes before meal times to clean their hands and to wash their hands after toileting, when the childminder also reminds them to use soap. Those who are potty training receive lots of praise to support them through the process, and the childminder encourages the children to eat up their lunch, explaining that this will help them to grow big and strong. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

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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