Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY246946 Inspection date 08 November 2005 Inspector Ingrid Pine

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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 January 2003. She lives with her family in a house on the outskirts of Doncaster city centre. It is close to shops, parks, childcare groups and schools. The ground floor is used for childminding purposes and there is a garden to the rear suitable for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for six children under the age of 8 years. The childminder has seven children on roll, three of whom are over 8 years of age. Children come for a variety of sessions The family have two cats.

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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 childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder effectively promotes routines that help children to develop a very good understanding and awareness of health and hygiene. Children know that they have to wash their hands before eating and after going to the toilet. The support and guidance they receive helps them to be confident in their own personal care. Older children are very aware of the routines for looking after young babies' personal needs because the childminder encourages them to help and copy her actions, for example, when she changes babies' nappies. The childminder has a well thought-out sickness policy which ensures risk of cross infection to children is minimised. Children's nutritional needs are well met and they thrive on meals which are made from freshly prepared whole foods. These meals are well balanced and take account of children's own individual preferences. All children have regular access to sugar

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Helping children to be healthy

free juice and water throughout the day. Children explore and test physical control in stimulating daily indoor and outdoor experiences. The childminder plans a good variety of activities that develop their love of the outdoors. For example, they attend playgroup so that they can use large equipment even when the weather is inclement. Children recall going out in the wet weather to jump and splash in the puddles. Young babies are introduced to stimulating experiences as they attend Baby Yoga sessions and spend time on the floor kicking and trying to roll over. Their emotional needs are effectively met as the childminder knows them very well and they have appropriate periods of sleep and rest built into their day.

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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 very safe and well maintained environment. Risks of accidental injury to children are minimised because the childminder is vigilant and has good safety precautions in place. For example, safety gates are in place to restrict access to the kitchen and stairs, and the outside garden is secure and monitored by camera. Children effectively learn to take responsibility for their own safety as they are made aware of potential hazards and encouraged to tidy up after themselves and fasten themselves into chairs for lunch. Older children are urged to take great care of younger babies as they play on the floor. Children clearly understand the importance of keeping safe as they learn about road safety and cycling proficiency. Satisfactory emergency evacuation procedures are in place. The childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of the issues relating

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to child protection and the procedures in relation to the Area Child Protection Committee Guidance. She is very aware of her role and children are well protected.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very comfortable and settled in the childminder's home. They are very sociable and are competent communicators. The childminder responds to children's requests and interests by providing well planned, easily accessible activities that are effectively pitched at their level of competence. These activities contribute to developing all areas of children's learning and building up their self-esteem. For example, they thoroughly enjoy playing with the baby dolls and acting out imaginary and real situations. They also recall times spent having fun splashing in the puddles on a rainy day. Older children are confidently developing their understanding of number, size and language, for example, when playing with a wooden Noah's ark. Children initiate their own games, move purposefully from one activity to another and play with purpose. They show high levels of concentration and co-operation, for

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

example, when sitting listening to a story or drawing pictures with appropriate mark making materials. Young babies are very happy, content and secure. They smile a lot, make sounds and respond well to the individual attention lavished on them by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder uses discussion and the children's own play experiences to promote their understanding of respect for others. She uses the local amenities well and children are aware of their place in the community. She has a positive attitude towards race and diversity and is developing children's understanding of this through use of appropriate activities and resources. Children are valued and respected and there is a commitment to ensuring all children feel secure and included. The childminder knows the children well and talks to them in a warm caring manner. This encourages the children to show care and concern for each other and play co-operatively. They behave very well and know the rules and boundaries that are in place within the home. They are encouraged to self-select their own games and tidy up after themselves. This gives them a sense of responsibility and encourages self-discipline.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has very good relationships with parents. They receive extensive informative feedback through daily verbal communication.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel very at home and at ease in comfortable relaxed surroundings. The home is organised so that they can confidently and safely select and initiate their own activities. The childminder offers a good balance of quiet and fun activities to meet

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Organisation

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 children's individual needs. Children benefit from the childminder's desire to improve her skills. She is committed to developing her knowledge of childcare through a continued programme of training. The childminder has good documentation in place to ensure the efficient and safe management of the provision and to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to develop her documentation and spend more time talking and playing with children to meet their individual developmental needs. Most necessary documentation is now in place and only the emergency evacuation procedures needs developing further. The childminder has organised her time and activities effectively and children receive good one to one attention and their individual needs are met.

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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

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): • further develop emergency evacuation procedures to include regular practices and written records.

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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 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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