Childminder in Barnsley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 302708 Inspection date 11/01/2010 Inspector Lynn Rodgers

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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 08456 404040, 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: 08456 404040 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 has been registered since 1994. She lives with her husband and their adult child, in a semi-detached house in Goldthorpe, which is close to the City of Rotherham. The premises are situated close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house, including ground floor toilet facilities, is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

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 14 children, of which eight are in the Early years age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group and regularly meets with fellow childminders. The family have a large dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has a National Vocational Qualification level 2 and is working towards a level 3 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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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The provider demonstrates a good understanding of her strengths and areas for development, which effectively contributes to the ongoing improvement of the service. The childminder effectively meets children's individual needs through; discussions, communication, observations and assessments. She discusses all issues with the parents, takes into account children's interests and respects both the parent's and children's wishes. The childminder has a very positive attitude to continuous improvement. She accesses relevant training to enhance her personal development and is open to any suggestions that support and improve her setting, which in turn, helps her to self-evaluate what she does in a very positive way.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain written parental permission for children to have supervised access to the family pet  continue developing the existing system for planning activities that focus on the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder shows good awareness with regard to safeguarding the children. She is knowledgeable and demonstrates a good understanding of the procedures to follow and makes it her first priority to ensure all parents know of her duties and responsibilities. There is a comprehensive written policy that contains details of serious injuries and who to contact. She keeps up-to-date with any new legislation and training. The system for carrying out risk assessment is robust, clear, well documented and any hazards and the action taken are duly noted and dated. She encourages the children to participate in regular fire drills, all fire fighting equipment is in place and available.

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the early years provision

Most documentation is in place, however, the childminder has not obtained parental permission for the minded children to access the family pet. The childminder has successfully completed the self-evaluation record and evaluates her practice in other ways. For example; by identifying areas for improvement and providing parents with questionnaires, which asks for suggestions and ideas. She includes the children in these discussions and has developed a similar questionnaire for them too. The childminder has positive views of her ambitions for the future and wants to continue to provide the best possible care and education for the children. She plans to do this by; reviewing and accessing training, continuing to develop her knowledge and understanding and continue to meet the welfare requirements. The exceptional, wide range of resources are effectively used and are rotated according to children's interests, ages and stages of

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the early years provision

development. She ensures they are very well presented to the children and takes pride in her work. The childminder never gives a child inferior resources and always sets out their favourite items for when they arrive. Toys and equipment are in excellent condition, conform to safety standards and are easily and freely accessible.

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the early years provision

The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity is reflected in the abundance of resources, which are well planned activities, that encourage the children to learn about the wider world and help children feel they belong. The childminder gets to know them well, establishes their interests, listen to what they have to say and spends equal amounts of time with all of them. She uses her knowledge to focus activities specific to extending children's awareness and understanding of other people and cultures. Parents are welcomed at any time, discussions take place and they receive daily feed back about their child's day. The childminder offers flexible care and hours, listens to them and rings them if they need to speak confidentially. She encourages new parents to phone during the first weeks of settling in to share all policies, procedures and other relevant information. Children are beginning to understand and accept the needs of others

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the early years provision

and to help one another. The childminder sets good examples for them to follow and has achievable expectations of acceptable behaviour. She positively praises and encourages the children to behave well and enjoy their learning, giving them support and guidance.

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the early years provision

Partnerships are developed through good communication and strong links with the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 local schools and nurseries. Staff know which children she cares for and pass on any relevant information for her to give to the parents. She takes an active part in school parties and concerts and supports staff with details about the children that is relevant for them to have. There is a written complaints policy, which is shared with parents and they know the procedures to follow. Children’s information is thoroughly documented and regularly up-dated. Parents contracts are up-to-date and periodically reviewed. She records the details of who has parental responsibility and includes permission for a partner or other authorised persons who may collect the children. Medication, accident and incident records are clear, the daily register shows when children attend and the childminder has valid

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the early years provision

insurance and appropriate first aid training. The childminder interacts well with the children, engaging them in meaningful activities to challenge and stretch their imaginations. She has examples of what children do and many photographs showing the wide range of activities she provides. The premises are clean, well maintained through out, child friendly and space is effectively organised to suit the varying needs of the children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is beginning to develop a workable system for the planning of activities that focus on the six areas of development. Weekly planning sheets show what the children do and their next steps are identified appropriately. Observations and assessments are carried out and the younger children have the 'all about me' booklets, which are filled in by the childminder and the parents. The childminder regularly monitors children's overall progression, focused observations provide and identify the children's next steps. The children's starting points are established at the initial visit then observed during the settling in period. They are then regularly reviewed to ensure children are making sufficient progress. The childminder uses the early years guidance and practise cards to plot children's development. Personal, emotional and social development is fostered through support and good interaction. The childminder is attentive, meets children's individual needs

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and outcomes for children

accordingly and positively encourages and praises them. Children make a positive contribution and behave well, they work together and help each other. The older children look after the toddler and are able to wait their turn, share and talk about what they are doing. Children are familiar with the routines of the day, know what is allowed or not and show concern and kindness towards each other. The children access some form of physical development each day, either robust outdoor play or in activities that extend their fine manipulative skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children's creativity is developed through a wide range of media such as; baking, role play, cutting and sticking. They are encouraged to use their imaginations during role play they have pretend shops, vets and cafes. They access and read books and tell each other stories and are able to sit, listen and recall the story. Their knowledge and understanding of the world is on-going and sometimes they take advantage of adverse weather conditions to explore and investigate. They played in the recent snow, made snowmen, had snowball competitions and looked at the snow closely to see if they could establish patterns of the individual snowflakes. The children have discussions about how ice is formed and use This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 appropriate words to extend their vocabularies. They take part in festivals and celebrations, look at maps of the world and walk around the local environment.

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and outcomes for children

There is good communication between the childminder and the children. The children are friendly, responding to each other and adults and talk openly and freely about home and school. They tell stories and make up songs, interact together and can follow and take instructions. They show excitement in what they are doing, compare, and tell of impending visits and chatter away to each other. Children are able to sort, recognise shapes and compare and use mathematical language. They are beginning to count in sequence, can name most colours and construct models, play board games and work out some things for themselves.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder talks to the children about keeping safe. They discuss stray animals, the importance of not going with strangers and are encouraged to tidy toys away. The childminder encourages the children to tell her if they are upset or don't feel comfortable about someone or something. They practise fire drills regularly, know about road safety and to keep close to the childminder when on outings and on the school run. Children are fully supervised and never left alone with any visitor. All required safety is in place and the childminder is vigilant with the children, ensuring they follow daily routines to prevent the spread of infection. Food served is healthy and nutritious and the childminder respects parent's wishes and adheres to any dietary or religious requirements. 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 2 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 2 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 2

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Stage

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

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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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