Smith, Amanda

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 300305 Inspection date 29/03/2010 Inspector Karen Ann Byfleet

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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 has been registered since 1993. She lives with her two children aged eighteen and fourteen years and their pet dog. The family live in a house situated on an estate in Frecheville, a suburb to the South of the City of Sheffield, access to the house is via a number of steps. The local school is close by as are the local shops and the City centre. Children have access to all the ground floor area and the toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 registered to provide care for a maximum of six children under eight at any one time. Currently there are 17 children on roll, 10 of whom are in the early years age group and all attend on a part time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a Level 3 qualification in childcare and she receives support from the local authority.

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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 enjoy their time at the setting and are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder is pro-active and recognises the uniqueness of individual children. They are well cared for and their individual welfare needs are mostly met. Effective partnership with parents and other providers, ensures consistency in children's care and education. The childminder is fully committed to maintaining continuous improvement of her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure prior written permission is obtained from parents for each and every medicine before any medicine is given (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 23/04/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 update the record of risk assessments to include any assessments of risks for all outings and trips  develop further children's understanding of how excercise promotes good health. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded effectively as the childminder has good knowledge and understanding of the procedures. She has implemented a detailed safeguarding policy and procedure which she shares with all parents and the policy highlights the childminder's responsibilities to ensure children are very well safeguarded. The policy also includes a procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against the childminder. Effective risk assessments are in place for the premises and all equipment, with all aspects covered and these are reviewed regularly by the childminder. However, risk assessments for all outing and trips are not fully in place. Good safety and security measures are in place with regard to the premises. For example, doors to the home are kept locked with the keys easily accessible to the childminder in the event of needing to leave the home in an emergency. An emergency evacuation plan is in place and is practised with the

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the early years provision

children, helping to raise their awareness of how to stay safe. Resources are very well maintained, clean and suitable for their purpose and children are able to freely self-select. For example, the childminder has implemented a photo album of all toys which younger children can look through and choose what they would like to play with, ensuring all children are included in self-selection. The childminder is pro-active in fully promoting equality and diversity and she recognises children's individuality. She gathers relevant information from parents to ensure she has clear knowledge of their family background and children's individual needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively self-evaluates her provision and has clearly identified her areas of strengths and those areas she intends to develop further. Recommendations made at the previous inspection have largely been addressed. For example, parents have been given information about complaints and how to contact the regulator if they wish to do so. However, although the childminder has updated her medication policy and shared this with parents, written permission for the administration of each and every medicine has not been obtained. Therefore children's health and well-being is compromised. She is proactive in her planning for the future to ensure that all children's individual needs continue to be met to a good standard. As a result, the childminder demonstrates a strong capacity for maintaining continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder has very good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses accurate and effective observation and assessment systems to ensure she is monitoring children's progress and development fully. Partnerships with parents is good as the childminder shares all her policies and procedures, exchanges verbal daily information about what the children have been doing and she keeps parents informed of how their children are making progress in their learning and development through sharing her written observations and assessments on a regular basis, encouraging parents to contribute to this. She has developed links, with other providers who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure that the promotion of integration of care and education is consistent. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and settled and they are making good progress in their learning and development, given their starting points and capabilities. The childminder interacts very well with all children and she is warm and caring towards them. Children interact very well with each other as they share toys and play well together. Children are able to independently access toys and resources which are stored in low level boxes and their art work is attractively displayed on display boards, helping to raise children's sense of belonging and self-esteem. The homely environment enables children to undertake a wide variety of activities such as craft, imaginative role play, dressing-up and construction. The childminder is flexible in her planning of daily activities, taking account of children's individual needs and interests. She undertakes observations of each child through the wide variety of activities and these are clearly linked to the six areas of learning and

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and outcomes for children

assist the childminder in planning children's next steps in their learning. Children are able to freely move around the home and the childminder responds imaginatively to children's interests and is able to extend on what they know, asking age appropriate questions and assisting very young children in their play, helping to further develop their understanding and learning. The childminder presents many innovative opportunities to children. For example, the childminder and children have made a den with material and included different lights and torches which the children clearly enjoy.

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and outcomes for children

Children's development through all six areas of learning is promoted well. They have regular access to activities that encourage and develop their skills such as problem solving and communication. For example, baking and cooking activities and they enjoy a wide variety of craft and creative activities such as painting and collage. The children are cooperative and play well together, forming strong relationships with each other. Well planned and spontaneous activities enable children to further extend their literacy skills as they enjoy listening to familiar stories and looking at books independently.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare and safety are supported. They feel safe within the childminder's home as they confidently approach her and are developing high levels of independence as they make individual choices. The childminder has clear policies and procedures in place to ensure children are well cared for if they fall ill or have minor accidents. Children's health is further supported through the childminder working closely with parents around issues such as healthy foods and drinks of fresh water are provided by the childminder throughout the day. Hygiene procedures, with regard to hand washing are consistently implemented to ensure children's understanding is secure. However, the childminder has not yet implemented effective ways of introducing the children to learn about the effects exercise has their body in order to further promote their understanding of good health. The childminder is very pro-active in how she promotes children's safety

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and outcomes for children

and raises their awareness of safety in the home as she regularly practises her emergency evacuation drill with the children and she records details of these. 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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