Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY231205 Inspection date 08 November 2005 Inspector Tracey Jane Outram

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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 has been registered since 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged 8 and 5 years. The house is on a quiet cul-de-sac situated in a village on the outskirts of Doncaster. The children have access to the ground floor of the premises and they are able to play outside in the rear garden. The property is within walking distance of the local schools, pre-school facilities for younger children, shops and transport links. The childminder is currently caring for six minded children. The children attend the setting on both a full and part-time basis. Each day the childminder walks to and from

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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 the local school to take and collect children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a very hygienic environment and the childminder implements very good cleaning routines that ensure children are protected from infections. For example, the toys and equipment are regularly washed to prevent any cross infection. Children are beginning to learn about the importance of personal hygiene, although hand washing plans are not routinely put into practice, particularly before the children eat. The childminder acts in the best interests of children if they become ill whilst in her care. She is aware of exclusion periods and incubation periods for childhood illnesses, therefore she is able to share her knowledge with parents and prevent viruses spreading. Good procedures are in place to reach agreements with parents regarding children’s dietary needs. The childminder meets the individual needs of the children and she successfully accommodates children’s preferences along with the wishes of their

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Helping children to be healthy

parents. Drinks are provided at set intervals during the day, but fresh drinking water is not made available at all times. The children have frequent opportunities to experience physical play and exercise. They play outside in the garden and are taken on walks where they benefit from the fresh air. Babies who are not yet mobile are encouraged to move their bodies and develop their physical skills as they are helped to become independent by sharing the control of their feeder cups.

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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 welcoming environment, which is suitably furnished, as a result children are comfortable and have access to the necessary facilities. There is a good range of toys and resources, which are cleaned and checked frequently to ensure that there are no broken parts that could cause injury or be a choking hazard to babies. The childminder implements good standards of safety within the home, and she effectively calculates risk based on the age and the maturity of the children present. For instance, older children are on occasions trusted to access the first floor bedroom where additional toys are stored. On outings, the children are carefully monitored by the childminder. She ensures that basic safety precautions are always implemented in order to protect children from

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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 danger. For example, public play areas are always thoroughly inspected before children are allowed to use any of the equipment. The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of the indicators of child abuse and she understands that she has a responsibility to act in the best interests of children should she suspect that a child is at risk of harm. However, she does not have a clear enough understanding of the roles of different organisations and to whom child protection concerns should be reported.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very settled and contented with the childminder. They are encouraged to be helpful and caring towards each other, and as a result relationships are very good. All of the children spend their time purposefully. They are keen to use a broad range of developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor equipment, which provide good levels of challenge. The children learn many new skills through playing imaginatively with role play equipment. They imitate what they see and this helps the children to make sense of their environment and learn about the world around them. Children demonstrate good concentration as they enjoy playing with a variety of toys such as dolls, animals, bricks and cars. Their language and literacy skills are effectively promoted by the childminder who introduces new words into their vocabulary and asks open-ended questions that encourage them to listen and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

problem solve. The children all receive a proportionate amount of the childminder's time and they each have the chance to play and explore independently and at their own pace. The children are very happy and settled within a child-centred environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder knows the children’s personalities and interests very well and this leads to her providing them with toys and activities, which effectively cater for their individual needs. She takes positive steps to increase children’s awareness of others and the wider world. For example, the children have access to books and some toys that positively address ethnicity and disability. The children are very well behaved and the childminder implements a clear, consistent and sensitive approach to managing behaviour. As a result children are happy and they and show consideration and respect for each other. They are supported to learn right from wrong in a secure and loving environment and they respond well to the clear guidance, praise and encouragement that they receive. Good systems are in place to talk to parents and establish children's meal times, rest and sleeping needs. For example, the childminder talks to parents at the start of a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

placement and records information about children’s preferences and routines. This

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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 positive approach to working with parents helps to build trusting relationships and ensures that the needs of the children continue to be successfully addressed. The childminder ensures that she notifies parents verbally of daily events as the children are collected. In addition to this, babies take home written information to ensure that parents are fully informed of their daily activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children gain self-assurance and confidence because they are familiar with the surroundings. They thrive within a well-organized environment that is structured and has familiar daily routine. The layout of the play area enables them to initiate their own play, they are able to access their play resources easily and safely, whilst the childminder is able to supervise them effectively. Although the childminder demonstrates practice that is well organised some aspects of record keeping are inconsistent. For example, some written consents from parents are unavailable and medication records do contain all of the required detail. However, children's personal details are up-to-date and well ordered; they are stored appropriately in order to maximise children's privacy. Overall, the needs of the children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to further develop her knowledge and understanding of the local child protection procedures. She has since has obtained some written information relating to the child protection procedures and she has highlighted her commitment to attending further training as part of her training and development plan.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. 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

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

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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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): • improve access to drinks and ensure that children become aware of the importance of good personal hygiene • maintain a complaints log and information detailing when any creams or medication are administered to children • improve documentation by ensuring that all of the required written parental consents are in place.

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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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