Childminder in Barnsley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 302672 Inspection date 13 April 2006 Inspector Jill Lee

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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 October 2000. She lives with her son and daughter in Barnsley. The downstairs only of the home is used for childminding. There is a large, fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a pet dog and three cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. There are currently five children on roll, all of whom attend on a part time basis. She has

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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 recently attended Child Protection training.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide and varied range of physical activities and outings in the fresh air, which contribute to keeping them fit and well. They experience large physical play activities most days, as they run around in the large garden, ride bikes, push prams and play on the slide. They visit the soft play centre twice each week and joined in an Easter egg hunt in the park. They enjoy helping to walk and care for the dog. The childminder plans suitable activities to develop their abilities. Children are helped to be healthy by the childminder's clear awareness of health and hygiene guidelines. She protects children from cross infection by ensuring good hygiene practices; for example, the garden is thoroughly cleaned after use by the dog. Children's understanding of the importance of good hygiene is promoted in everyday routines, as they independently wash their hands before snack and make

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Helping children to be healthy

sure the table is clean. The childminder follows the children's eating and sleeping routines, to ensure they are content and able to enjoy their play. Arrangements for first aid and administering medication mostly meet requirements and protect children effectively. The childminder negotiates arrangements for meals and drinks very carefully. Children's individual dietary needs are met by healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. A varied menu plan is responsive to children's needs and choices. She discourages too many sweet foods, offers sugar free squash and explains to parents how she promotes healthy eating. She talks with children about healthy choices; for example, they choose from fruit and savoury biscuits at snack time. They are able to access drinks independently. The childminder's clear understanding of the needs of younger children supports their good developmental progress. She communicates daily with parents to ensure

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Helping children to be healthy

consistency with home. She knows their favourite activities and what makes them happy, so that she supports their play well. Children confidently express their own needs and wishes.

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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 safe and very child friendly home. The childminder organises space and resources well to reduce potential hazards and actively promote independence. She carefully considers the age range present when planning different activities and assesses risks effectively to promote children's safety and enjoyment. Children use a broad range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards, helping them to enjoy a wide variety of experiences safely.

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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 Children use the whole environment freely and can visit the toilet independently. Their awareness of risk and safety is raised, as they hold hands or hold onto the pushchair when they are out walking. They learn to stop at the kerb when crossing the road together; the childminder talks with children all the time about the dangers of busy roads. Children have well planned opportunities to extend their physical skills as they learn how to use large play equipment safely. The risk of accidents is minimised by careful supervision and consistently reinforced safety rules. The childminder has sought safety advice from the fire service and she practises safe evacuation with the children. Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding of her responsibilities within child protection procedures. Attendance at additional training

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

has extended the childminder's knowledge, increasing her confidence in her own ability to protect children and keep them safe. However, she is not as confident about sharing her responsibilities with parents and the procedure for recording of existing injuries is not sufficiently defined.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good variety of interesting activities using a wide range of stimulating resources, which support and challenge their development. They develop confidence as the childminder talks to them and shows interest in what they are doing. She observes children's play carefully, finding out what they enjoy and can do, so that she plans experiences to develop new skills and extend their learning. Children concentrate well and become engrossed in activities that engage them, like painting, sticking and gluing. Their language skills develop well as they talk about what they are doing; they copy words and repeat sounds as they communicate their needs and ideas. They love reading stories and enjoy story time as a time of closeness, cuddled up together on the settee. They know their chosen stories well and join in actively, repeating the lines, counting the people, confident of the words

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and actions as they go on their favourite 'Bear Hunt'. They develop their own creative ideas as they make dotty pictures and immerse their paper in their favourite colours; they regularly enjoy baking activities. Their imagination is fostered as they develop their own ideas with small world play, using the car mat and the garage. Children develop a strong sense of self-esteem. Their behaviour is very good and is sensitively supported by the childminder's example. They begin to understand right and wrong. Their art work is valued and beautifully displayed by the childminder, so that everyone can enjoy it. Babies and toddlers home experiences are built on well by the childminder. She respects their independent choices and her caring, supportive interactions encourage confident play. The childminder is sensitive to individual needs and is considering ways to enrich their experiences further, perhaps by linking the Birth to three framework to her practice.

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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 The provision is good. The childminder works in close partnership with parents. She encourages parents to spend time with her, getting to know each other, as they settle their child. She makes time to share information each day with parents, which fosters children's sense of belonging. She talks with parents about her child care practice and shares a portfolio of information about her family, qualifications and experience. She is developing photographic records of children's activities to help children recall, and share with parents, experiences they have enjoyed together. All agreements reached with parents are fully discussed, but some are not sufficiently clearly recorded; for example, consent to transport children in the car, access to the pets and administration of emergency medication. Parents know how to raise any concerns

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and a record is kept as required. Children become familiar with the relaxed daily routines and enjoy warm and trusting relationships. They make their own suggestions about activities and are supported to make their own decisions; the childminder always offers choices so that they feel in charge. They independently put on their own painting aprons and select their own play resources. Older children are encouraged to be supportive of younger ones, for example, by helping them wash their hands for lunch. Children confidently let the childminder know what they want to play with. She knows them well and responds warmly to their needs; she shows a good understanding of their non verbal communications. Children learn to share and cooperate as they play. They are helped to feel good about themselves as the childminder praises them and gives lots of warm encouragement; she uses stories well to reinforce acceptable behaviours. Children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are encouraged to be helpful and caring; they always tidy away toys as they finish with them, before getting out new ones. The childminder plans activities so that everyone can all be involved. Children's awareness of their local community is raised very well by regular outings to local groups, to the shops and the park. She has a good range of resources which reflect difference and other cultures, helping her to promote children's interest in and awareness of diversity.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare is promoted very effectively in the well organised, stimulating and safe environment. Their individual needs are supported by flexible planning. The childminder accesses some training and development opportunities, which contribute to her ability to plan enjoyable experiences for children. She evaluates her own practice well. Children are kept safe and their welfare is effectively safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding and implementation of required policies and procedures. Agreements reached with parents clearly inform the childminder's practice. The childminder shares information daily with them about children's

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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 activities and care needs, enabling consistency and continuity of care. Overall the childminder actively promotes children's well-being and successfully meets the individual needs of all the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to give more formal consideration to planning of activities. The childminder now discusses with children what they would like to do and their plans are recorded and displayed for parents to see. Plans are used very flexibly and help to involve children in decisions about their play.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted has received one complaint since the last inspection relating to National Standard 1: Suitable person. The Compliance, Investigation and Enforcement Team contacted the childminder. The childminder provided an investigation response regarding the concerns raised. Ofsted is satisfied that the childminder remains suitable for registration. The childminder 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): • clarify the procedure for recording of existing injuries and ensure parents understand your child protection responsibilities • consider ways to enhance the experiences of younger children, perhaps by having reference to the Birth to three matters framework • ensure all agreements made with parents are clearly recorded.

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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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