Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY246946 Inspection date 06/10/2009 Inspector Carolyn Gifford

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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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her partner and two sons aged 22 years and 13 years at Wheatley in Doncaster. The whole of the ground floor is available for childminding, which includes a lounge, dining room/playroom, kitchen and hallway. There is a bathroom on the first floor also available for childminding. The premises are accessible via a level path and three steps to the front door. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has three pet cats and one pet hamster. Local schools, play areas and shops are within walking distance.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years old at any one time. There are currently nine children on roll, three of whom are in the early years age group. Children attend for varying days and times.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder works in partnership with other settings providing the Early Years Foundation Stage framework (EYFS).

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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 childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child and provides effectively for their needs. All children are welcomed into the setting and the childminder provides very good levels of support to enable each child to reach their maximum potential. She has a good knowledge and understanding of the EYFS and demonstrates a clear vision for continuous improvement as she acknowledges the need to develop existing skills in using observations to ensure learning priorities are identified for each child. The childminder is vigilant regarding children's safety and demonstrates a very good awareness regarding where risk assessments need updating to ensure full compliance with the EYFS.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the record of risk assessment to include assessments of risk for each type of outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 27/10/2009

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  further develop skills in using observations to identify learning priorities for individual children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of her role and responsibilities with regard to safeguarding children. She knows the signs and symptoms to look out for and the procedure to follow in the event of having concerns about children in her care. She helps children to learn to keep themselves safe as she discusses safety issues in the home and when on outings. Carefully considered risk assessments are completed for areas of the home, indoors and out, that are available for childminding. The childminder does have a risk assessment completed for taking children to the local playgroup, but does not have risk assessments in place for each type of outing, which is a breach of requirements. However, the childminder does always visually check play areas and parks before allowing children to play there, which contributes to ensuring children are safe.

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the early years provision

Written policies and procedures that underpin important elements of the childcare are implemented very well and shared effectively with parents. The childminder does reflect on and evaluate her practice and demonstrates a clear commitment to the further development of her knowledge to support the continuous improvement of her childcare service. For example, by further developing her skills in using observational assessments to inform planning and identify priorities for learning for individual children. The childminder has taken effective action regarding the recommendation made at the previous inspection and now has very good systems in place regarding emergency evacuation, which contributes to promoting children's overall safety and welfare.

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes very positive links with parents and other providers of the EYFS, which very effectively contributes to ensuring continuity of care and learning for individual children. These links are very well supported by efficient systems for information sharing. For example, the childminder completes a file for each child and shares information regarding children's progress on a regular basis. She finds out what children know and can do via discussions with parents at the admission stage and ongoing as needed. She has devised questionnaires for parents covering all aspects of her childcare service and has received some very positive feedback from parents. This clearly shows that parents are very happy with the childcare as they comment on how well their children are progressing.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare, learning and development are successfully promoted by the well organised and flexible approach of the childminder. She plans the childminding day to ensure that children's needs are met and that their individual interests are taken into consideration. The childminder offers a fully inclusive childcare service and has a very good understanding of the areas to consider when caring for children who This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 have special educational needs or disabilities. This contributes to ensuring that she continues to meet the needs of all children attending.

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and outcomes for children

There is a good balance between adult-led and child-initiated activities and a varied range of age-appropriate and good quality resources is readily available to the children. This means that children have lots of opportunity to make choices about their play with very good levels of support and guidance from the childminder. For example, when children initiate mixing colours during a painting activity, the childminder uses very good questioning techniques to extend their knowledge and understanding and help them to develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a clean and secure environment where there is a strong emphasis on safety and effective measures are taken to protect children. The good health of children is promoted very well as the childminder helps children to make healthy food choices. She extends their knowledge and understanding via discussion and activities, which helps children to develop a healthy lifestyle as they learn about the benefits of good food and regular exercise. There is daily opportunity for children to play in the garden at the childminder's home and at local parks and play areas. This effectively contributes to children's growing confidence in their developing physical skills.

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and outcomes for children

Behaviour is good and the childminder actively encourages children to value and respect each other's similarities and differences and to consider the feelings of others. The childminder talks to children about what is acceptable and what is unacceptable behaviour. Her skilful use of praise and encouragement helps children to learn right from wrong in a caring and supportive environment. 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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