Childminder in RotherhamOfsted inspection, 3 Oct 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 303197 Inspection date 03 October 2005 Inspector Lynn Rodgers

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1998. She lives with her partner and two children aged 4 and 10 years in a three bedroom terraced house. The whole of the childminder's house, with the exception of the main bedroom and box room, is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under 8 years at any one time and is currently minding seven children under and over 5 on a part time

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 basis. Some children attend both before and after school. The family have a pet dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is registered as a home carer. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and is the treasurer for the local childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are able to enjoy physical activities which are very well planned to ensure their needs are met. They develop self confidence in their physical skills and use a wide range of indoor and outdoor toys and equipment. They are cared for in a very clean and welcoming environment. There are effective arrangements to help children to understand and follow good health and hygiene practices. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs. They learn the importance of hand washing after using the toilet, before consuming food and when they have handled the family pet. They have the confidence to choose and ask for drinks and help themselves to snacks. Younger children are regularly offered drinks to ensure they do not go thirsty. Healthy and nutritious food is served, discussed verbally with all parents. Parents wishes are respected regarding food offered to the children and all details

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Helping children to be healthy

are recorded and agreed prior to childminding. All documentation is in place and regularly updated. Birth to Three Matters enhances the provision, to ensure a healthy child. For example, treating mealtimes as an opportunity to help children enjoy their food and become independent in feeding themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and welcoming environment where risks are identified and minimised. The good organisation of space, equipment and activities means children can move around safely and freely to independently access all toys and resources from suitable containers. Children benefit from a very good range of safety measures, for example, safety gates, fire guard, socket covers and a fully enclosed outside play area. They have a good awareness of safety and confidently take part in fire drills on a regular basis. However, some electrical appliances are installed on a multi-plug rather than a suitable bar socket. Children's awareness of safety is increased with gentle reminders to pick up toys to prevent someone tripping over. They are fully supervised at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children are protected from possible abuse or neglect through an observant and caring provider. Child protection guidelines are followed with a confident understanding of the correct procedure to follow. The childminder ensures she regularly attends appropriate child protection training and shares current legislation with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled and make themselves at home. They relate very well to each other and socialise with other children during the school run. They become independent as they choose from a variety of toys, books and high quality activities. They are confident in their relationships with each other and the childminder. Birth to Three Matters is used to promote younger children's development and to help the childminder extend her knowledge of adapting activities to suit the children's ages. For example, encouraging independence and confidence through self-selection of toys and building relationships with others. Children are confident communicators sharing ideas and experiences, for example, helping prepare tea, relating to things they have done at school and at home. Regular use of an excellent range of creative materials encourages them to express themselves in a variety of ways, for example, using the sand and home corner, mark

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

making and collage work. Children spend their time purposefully and enjoy exploring a wide range of activities which contribute to their overall development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world, increasing children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, using books, stories and TV to illustrate other cultures and festivals. Children learn about their community as they visit places of interest such as play areas, parks, farms and the local countryside. Children are valued and respected as individuals, with lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder. Their needs are met very well as they follow the daily routines. Children show care and concern for others and play harmoniously together, sharing toys and equipment. They behave very well because they are familiar with expected levels of acceptable behaviour which encourages them to discover boundary limits and learn about rules. Children make themselves at home,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

confidently deciding what to do, helping themselves to resources and visiting the toilet independently. Children respond well to the childminder and each other. Parents are informed about what their child does and regular communication ensures they are fully conversed in all aspects of their child's care. Daily diaries, as well as verbal communication, are a means to ensure parents know what their child has been doing and where the childminder takes them. Reviews take place on a regular

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 basis and any concerns are dealt with immediately. All relevant information is shared.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease within the well organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. They are shared and reviewed regularly with parents to keep them very well informed about the service and their child's day. The childminder has completed many training workshops and coursework to enhance her provision. She has recently been established as a childminder mentor and trainer for Birth to Three Matters, along with completing the Early Years Quality First in child care. She is registered as a home carer. She is the treasurer of the Rotherham childminding association and is the contact person for the Sure Start childminder's drop in. Children's safety is addressed in a very positive way to ensure they are very well

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Organisation

supervised and cared for in a safe, secure environment. The childminder has effective procedures in place for the safe and effective management of her provision. Documentation is meticulously organised and stored safely to ensure confidentiality. The provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has addressed all previous recommendations to ensure children are kept safe and free from harm. The daily register now has parent's signatures and exact times of children's arrival and departure to ensure this documentation meets the National Standards. Safety measures regarding the daughter's bedroom has been met by separating the bunk beds into two bedrooms and thus remove any danger to children. Parents written permission for children to have supervised access to the family dog, have been obtained and duly recorded.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure bar sockets are available when using electrical appliances.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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