Childminder in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 324638 Inspection date 23/11/2009 Inspector Yvonne Victoria Facey

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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 2001. She lives with her two children aged nine and 17, in Sheffield. The home is close to school and pre-school facilities, parks and shops. The ground floor is used for childminding, with bathroom facilities located on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden, which is suitable for outdoor play. The family has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, and there are currently three children on roll in the early years age group. The childminder also offers care for children from five to 11 years. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and both the compulsory and voluntary parts 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

Children are happy and confident in the care of the childminder. They are provided with a wide range of activities that are interesting and challenging. The childminder knows the children well and uses detailed observations to plan activities and meet children's individual needs. The childminder evaluates her service well, and has identified relevant areas for future development such as extending links with parents and other providers, and developing the system she uses to evaluate her practice. She has updated her knowledge in childcare practices, and has successfully addressed previous recommendations to improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop partnerships with parents to encourage involvement in children's learning  continue to develop self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

Children are protected from harm, because the childminder has a very good understanding of safeguarding. There is a clear child protection statement that the childminder is familiar with, and she is able to put it in place and use it to report any issues. All relevant documentation is in place and regularly up-dated to ensure requirements are being met; children's welfare, learning and safety are very well promoted. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate, public liability insurance This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and permission to seek emergency medical treatment. Risk assessments are conducted to ensure required safety measures are in place, and safety equipment is used when appropriate for individual children. The childminder uses her resources effectively and they are suitable for the purpose, well maintained and regularly checked for any hazards. She ensures activities and equipment are

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the early years provision

suitable for the abilities of the children, and that the toys provided keep children interested and eager to learn.

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the early years provision

The childminder assesses and evaluates her service effectively to improve outcomes for children. She has attended relevant training such as completing the childminding course again to bring herself up to date with current practises, and she is currently completing her level two qualification in childcare. She is developing the system she uses to ensure a stronger reflection of her service. Detailed policies and children's observations and achievements are shared with parents, and the childminder seeks out parents' views to ensure they work closely together to maintain children’s welfare and learning. There exists positive links with other settings that the children attend to ensure that children's learning is continued between each service. For example, the childminder visits the local nursery with children before they start and shares details of their progress. The childminder acknowledges that there are improvements she wishes to make to

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the early years provision

strengthen the links between parents and other settings to continue to enhance the children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

There is a good range of planned, purposeful play with a balance of adult-led and child-led activities. Observations of what children can do and what they are to learn next are effectively considered by the childminder. The childminder makes an overall assessment of children's achievements to ensure they are progressing towards the early learning goals, and to identify any areas that may require more focus. She knows the children in her care very well, and there are very good interactions between the childminder and the children. She meets their individual needs well, and children are happy in her care. Children behave very well within the setting and they take turns, share and are encouraged to show respect for each other; as a result, they build strong relationships with each other and adults. Simple house rules are in place which give children a clear understanding of boundaries.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes equality and diversity to ensure that the children feel secure and develop a sense of belonging, and are included in the setting. Children are beginning to learn about the wider world and other cultures, as well as their own, through stories and discussions with the childminder. As a result, they are beginning to understand and respect similarities and differences. Children's skills for the future are developing well. Their communication and language is promoted positively as the children are encouraged to express their ideas; the childminder asks appropriate questions to help them think and engage in conversations. They have access to a wide range of books and enjoy such stories. They engage in opportunities to problem solve and use number in their everyday play. For This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 example, they use jigsaws and match pictures and shapes when playing lotto

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and outcomes for children

games and discuss which picture is missing.

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and outcomes for children

There are good opportunities for the children to learn how to be safe in their environment, and they begin to understand about healthy lifestyles. Children are confident in their environment and are eager to learn new skills. The childminder encourages children to understand differences and similarities and develop an understanding of their own beliefs through discussions, topics and stories. For instance, they enjoy reading and discussing the book 'My world your world'. Children are interested in the natural world and discuss changes in the weather. For example, they talk to the childminder about the 'leaves falling from the trees because it is going to snow soon'. 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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