Childminder in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY375524 Inspection date 26/02/2010 Inspector Tracey Jane Outram

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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 2009. She lives in Gleadless, Sheffield with her husband and two children aged one and five years. Local amenities, such as shops, parks, schools are all close by. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family have a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group along with one older child. She is registered on the Early Years Register and 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

The provision of a calm and stimulating environment ensures that the children flourish in the care of this attentive childminder. She is aware of the children’s unique development needs and aims to provide an enabling environment that supports their learning. The childminder does not yet have rigorous systems in place to address all aspects of partnership working. However, she works closely with parents to ensure that children's routines and care is consistent to that which is received in their home. The childminder has informally self-evaluated her service and plans for her future improvements are realistic and highly likely to bring improvements to the provision and outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the process of completing risk assessments  enhance partnerships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage  include parents in planning for the next steps in children's learning and further develop the use of self-evaluation to include the views of others.

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the early years provision

The childminder is successful in safeguarding children’s welfare and promoting their safety through the implementation of comprehensive policies and daily operational procedures that successfully eradicate dangers on the registered premises. However, the risk assessments for outings lack some of the required detail. The childminder has an extensive knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and a robust child protection statement that is accurately This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 followed to ensure that any concerns are prioritised and reported without delay to the local investigating agencies.

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the early years provision

The childminder actively promotes equality and diversity, and challenges any stereotypical views. This is achieved through talking with the children, reading books and helping them to recognise that they are each valued. She knows the children well and consistently meets their personal development requirements through the provision of activities and equipment that is suitable for their unique development needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear commitment to her continual professional development. Since registration she has attended pertinent training in order to improve her practice. She has applied some critical self-evaluation to her practice and has correctly identified how she can make improvements, particularly in terms of keeping written observations. Partnerships with parents are well-established and mutually supportive. The childminder has effective arrangements in place to promote partnerships with parents. Parents are provided with very good quality information about the setting and a thorough and unhurried induction ensures that the childminder, children and parents form strong bonds. Similarly, it allows the childminder to ensure that she has obtained all of the necessary parental permissions and provide care that is consistent with that provided in the home environment. However, while she routinely communicates with parents sharing

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the early years provision

knowledge and expertise there are currently no systems in place to include them in planning the next steps in children’s learning. The childminder is aware that in order to ensure progression and continuity of care for children she must build links with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, this is not yet a well-established aspect of the practice.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She knows the minded children very well and skilfully tailors the activities to suit their individual needs and interests. This has a very positive impact on the children and ensures that they benefit from enjoyable and challenging early years experiences that connect with the four themes of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Similarly, the methods of keeping written observational assessments of the children's development and learning are progressing well, however, they are not systemically applied for all children.

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and outcomes for children

Young children have good opportunities to develop their personal, social, emotional development and participate in activities which help secure their future development. They investigate books and show a keen interest in information and communication technology as they explore a very good range of programmable and sensory resources. The children are keen to communicate and they confidently attempt some first words along with lots of non-verbal communication, which the childminder understands and consistently acknowledges. This positive approach to building on the children’s language helps them to develop confidence, self-esteem and ability to express their needs and feelings. In addition, she is skilled at This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 adapting activities, such as baking, to ensure that all children can participate through mixing, weighing or measuring ingredients. This helps the children to

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and outcomes for children

benefit directly through planned activities that are provided with a specific learning objective.

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and outcomes for children

There are very close and warm relationships in place which helps the children to develop good emotional well-being. This coupled with high-quality interactions ensure that very young children gain a remarkably strong sense of security and belonging. From a young age, the children are encouraged to develop respectful relationships and helped to learn the difference between accidental and deliberate acts, such as not sharing toys or being unkind to each other. The children learn about healthy lifestyles through the implementation of good hygiene practices and the provision of healthy snacks, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, they learn how to stay safe and assess risks through the provision of indoor and outdoor play. The children have a strong biological drive to explore their environment and make purposeful movements as they begin to gain control of their bodies. This is supported through the use of equipment that encourages

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and outcomes for children

crawling and walking. 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 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 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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