Childminder, Out-of school day care in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 300507 Inspection date 22 March 2006 Inspector Angela Howard

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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 1998. She lives with her husband and son aged 13 years. They live in Halfway, a large village on the outskirts of Sheffield. The whole of the ground floor of the premises is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time. She currently has 9 children under 8 years and 2 children over 8 years on roll. The childminder walks to take and collect children from the local school. She meets regularly with local childminders.

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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 Childminder's Association and the is the local childminding cooperative coordinator.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because they are cared for in very clean and well maintained premises. The hygiene procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection are highly effective. The risk of infection is greatly reduced by the childminder promoting good hygiene practice through daily routines and working closely with parents to ensure children with infectious illness do not attend. Children are well supported by the childminder to take responsibility for their own hygiene. She makes sure they can reach such things as wipes and tissues independently. This results in children actively learning about the importance of personal hygiene. Children enjoy a very good range of healthy snacks and drinks, which takes into account children's dietary needs and parents' wishes. This contributes significantly to children's understanding of a healthy lifestyle. They are encouraged to make healthy

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Helping children to be healthy

choices and older children are encouraged to plan the snack menu and help prepare the snacks and drinks. Meals provided by parents are stored appropriately. Snack and meal times are enjoyable and relaxing times where the childminder and children sit together sharing conversation. Children enjoy a good range of physical activities that include a daily walk to school and local parks. They have independent access to a well equipped outdoor play area when ever the weather permits. The out door play area is used creatively to provide children with opportunities to climb, crawl and to negotiate space and obstacles successfully. The access to a wide range of physical activities contributes to children's good health in a positive manner and ensures that they develop confidence in their physical abilities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Potential hazards are effectively addressed in order to maintain a safe and secure environment. For example, the use of safety gates, socket covers, fire blanket, smoke alarms and the completion of regular safety checks means that children can move around freely and safely. Children are cared for in secure premises and good security ensures access to the premises is carefully monitored. Children are actively encouraged to be aware of their own safety and how to avoid accidents. They are given clear explanations about safe practice indoors like, not rocking on a chair whilst sat at the table. Children are aware of the consequences like you may hurt some one or get hurt yourself. This results in children being given the opportunity to practice what they can do in safe surroundings, and young children learn some sense of danger.

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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 Good quality resources are easily accessed allowing children to make choices in a safe manner. Children's toys and equipment are very carefully monitored to make sure that they remain safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children are well protected as the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities with regards to child protection matters. She has a clear understanding of child protection procedures and recognises the signs and symptoms of possible abuse. This ensures that the safety of children in her care is always a priority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children make their own choices about their play from a very good range of resources. They are encouraged to access resources themselves, so developing their sense of self-assurance. They play happily because they feel secure and settled in the childminder's care. Younger children engage in concentrated imaginative play in which they extend their language, try out new ideas and select suitable resources as they play with the play dough and accessories; like making a birthday cake for the childminder. Activities provide good levels of challenge, appropriate to the age and stage of children's development and are what they are interested in. For example, the range of equipment is linked to the individual needs and interests of children attending. Babies explore richly varied treasure baskets, which stimulate their senses and curiosity. Therefore, children spend their time purposefully and enjoy playing with

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the toys provided. Children relate very well to the childminder. They share a very warm and caring relationship with each other and have formed very good friendships. Children are learning good social skills and enjoy being with and talking to adults and other children. This is due to the childminder showing that she values what each child has to offer. Like asking the children what to make with the play dough, what they would like to do next and asks for their opinion about going to the park later. This results in them being able to build meaningful relationships. Children know the childminder is interested in what they do and say because she listens, asks questions and is actively involved in their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder knows the children in her care very well and responds to their individual needs because she takes time to find out what is important to them and their parents. The settling in procedure is very good. Children have initial visits with parents, home visits and short periods of time attending on their own. They have a strong sense of belonging and are at ease in the childminder's care. Children are happy and settled and have a very warm and caring relationship with the childminder and their peers. Positive relationships are fostered through the childminder providing opportunities for children to play together in a caring environment. For example,

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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 babies are actively encouraged to be involved in activities with older children, like sitting together to look at the photograph albums and the older child pointing out to the baby pictures of himself. Children's awareness of the local community is promoted well through regular outings to local carer groups and places of interest. They have equal access to all resources and are beginning to learn about the wider world through the use of books, role play, people and dolls, and dressing up clothes, that positively address diversity. A clear and consistent approach to managing children's behaviour effectively encourages children to behave well. They learn right from wrong in a warm and caring environment. Kindness and consideration for others is a high priority. This is successfully achieved by the childminder being a good role model. Children follow

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Helping children make a positive contribution

her lead in saying 'Please', 'Thank you' and 'Excuse me' all the time. Children are given clear instruction and guidance, this results in them knowing what is expected of them. For example, they are given clear explanations when they are asked to conform, or in the case of younger children, distraction techniques are used effectively. Partnerships with parents and carers are very good. The childminder has good systems in place for keeping parents informed about their child's care and progress. For babies, daily diaries are used and for older children time is made to talk with parents daily. The childminder shares photographs and children's work so that parents are kept well informed. This enables parents to build upon their child's learning and development at home. Children are clearly benefiting from the positive partnership and are very settled in response to this.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Documentation is kept in a well organised and professional manner and confidentiality is maintained at all times. There are a number of well written policies and procedures in place. These are shared with parents to promote the children's welfare and care and contribute to the child's continuity of care. However, there is no system in place for the recording of complaints. The childminder is very keen to enhance her professional development. She regularly attends relevant courses, such as child protection, special needs awareness, behaviour management and Birth to three matters training which is reflected in her good practice. Further training is planned to ensure she continues to improve her practice. Children are happy and content because the childminder organises her time and home to ensure she is able to support children's care and learning effectively. Required adult to child ratios are met; this provides good levels of care and

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Organisation

supervision. As a result children remain settled, feel very secure and are very confident in the childminder's care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of all children who attend.

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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

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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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop a system for the recording of complaints.

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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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