Childminder in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY217150 Inspection date 11 May 2005 Inspector Karen Cockings

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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 2002. She is able to provide care for a maximum of three children under eight years and there are currently three school age children and one younger child attending. The childminder lives with her husband and their four children, aged 8, 6, 5 and 2 years in the Stocksbridge area of Sheffield. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding and the upstairs bathroom. The house is being extended to provide additional play and care facilities at ground floor level. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder attends a local childminder support group and is a member of the

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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 Sheffield and National Childminding Association. She also attends local toddler groups with the children. She is participating along with other members of her group in the NCMA quality assurance scheme, Quality First.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they play in the garden and visit local parks. They are able to practise physical skills while using outdoor equipment such as climbing frame and slides while indoors there is room for children to move around freely. The garden and nearby woodland also give them opportunities to learn about the world around them: they watch the growth of seeds and plants and feeding patterns of birds and squirrels. This helps them to understand what makes they themselves grow and the importance of healthy eating. Children enjoy a nourishing diet. They are provided with regular drinks and are encouraged to eat healthy meals and snacks. They talk about the foods which help them to grow and where foods come from. Children sit sociably together so that mealtimes are pleasant occasions and an opportunity to chat. The regular routines of the day ensure that children are able to rest and sleep as

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Helping children to be healthy

needed. The childminder ensures that children who may have had a busy time at nursery in the morning are able to enjoy quieter activities later in the day if they are tired. Standards of hygiene are satisfactorily maintained and children become independent with handwashing routines, although the importance of this is not always promoted fully.

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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 secure environment where they have access to suitable, age appropriate equipment and are well supervised. The childminder takes effective measures to maintain children's safety both indoors and outside. For example, she has fenced off her greenhouse to make sure it is inaccessible to children. Children learn how to keep themselves safe and to use toys and equipment appropriately. Outings provide them with opportunities to learn about road safety and the childminder ensures that she carefully assesses risk and is able to provide good levels of supervision. Children understand and practise with the childminder the procedures to follow if there is a fire, while attendance at events such as a fire awareness raising day at the local college helps all to become more conscious of fire safety. The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities with regard to child

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

protection and has undertaken training to develop her knowledge in this area.

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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 settled in the childminder's home which offers a child friendly environment for them. They have ready access to a wide variety of resources and activities to promote their overall development. The childminder also supplements the toys and books she is able to offer by taking advantage of local loan schemes. Children learn about the world around them through daily events, activities and conversation about what they see. For example, they have been fascinated by the ongoing building work and use their observations to create models of machinery from the plentiful supply of construction toys. They also observe the wildlife in and around the garden and gather natural materials to make collage pictures. They take pride in their achievements which are on display around the setting, showing them that their work is valued. Children are interested and engage well with activities. For example, they enjoy

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

helping to bake, understand what equipment they will need and what happens next. The childminder skilfully extends their learning and language development through questions and through general conversation. She maintains a warm, interested dialogue with them and as a result children are becoming confident in their interactions with others. The childminder uses the Birth-3 matters framework to help her to adapt activities for younger children and has a good understanding of how children learn through play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well cared for because the childminder makes sure she finds out about their individual needs, likes and dislikes and she works closely with parents. She enables children of different ages to participate at their own level, gently reminding older children of the needs of younger ones. As a result, children learn how to play cooperatively together and begin to understand the importance of sharing and taking turns. Children behave well because they have been involved in drawing up basic house rules and help each other to understand and follow what has been agreed. The childminder has a very positive attitude towards equal opportunities. She encourages children to make their own choices and ensures that there is a variety of equipment available, including toys and books which reflect diversity. She borrows additional resources where necessary, to heighten children's awareness and takes

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Helping children make a positive contribution

advantage of training opportunities to develop her own skills and knowledge. She has limited experience of special needs and identifies this as an area of practice she would like to develop further.

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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 Children are well protected and cared for because the childminder is knowledgeable and experienced in caring for children. She recognises the value of constantly reviewing her practice through participation in quality assurance schemes and through networking with other local childminders. These links also help her to ensure that there are secure emergency cover arrangements which provide continuity for the children. The childminder meets children's needs for individual attention and for a balance of quieter and more active play by managing her time well and planning her placements with the needs of all children in mind. She has devised carefully considered policies and procedures which are shared routinely with parents. A well presented introductory file gives new parents a good overview of the type of service she offers.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children attending.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last Children Act inspection recommended that the attendance register be kept up to date and that all documentation related to the provision be kept readily available for inspection. The childminder has made significant improvements to address these issues. She ensures that she uses the National Childminding Association attendance register which she keeps up to date by transferring information from her daily diary. The register is shared with parents and the record is signed by them and by the childminder. She has reorganised all her paperwork to make sure that all relevant documents are easily accessible yet stored securely. This ensures that she has information about the children and her service readily available at all times.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints reported to Ofsted since April 2004.

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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):

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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 • review practice with regard to maintaining good hygiene standards, particularly to ensure that children learn the importance of routine handwashing. • continue to develop knowledge and awareness of special needs issues.

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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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