Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY240044 Unique Reference Number 20 June 2006 Inspection date Tracey Jane Outram Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 satisfactory. 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 2003. She lives with her husband and their four-year old child. The family live on an established residential estate in Sheffield. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The area has good transport links and there is access to shops, children's play areas and parks. Schools and pre-school facilities for younger children are situated in the locality. The childminder takes children to and from local schools and pre-school groups as required.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children and she is currently providing care for four children, three of whom are aged under five-years. The children attend the setting on a part-time basis.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder effectively promotes children's knowledge and understanding of personal hygiene and self-care. After playing outdoors the children are encouraged to wash their hands before they enjoy their mid-morning snack. The premises are thoroughly cleaned at the end of the day, for example, the childminder wipes all accessible surfaces with anti-bacterial cleaners. Nappy changing procedures are hygienic and successfully prevent the spread of infection. The childminder uses individual changing mats and gloves each of the children. She takes positive steps to find out about children's health needs and she has a clear written policy that documents her procedures for dealing with sick children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works in partnership with parents to meet the children's dietary needs. Parents are offered opportunities to send packed lunches for their children, alternatively, the childminder provides a range food and drinks. She ensures that snacks are varied and include some healthy options. For instance, the children enjoy biscuits, yogurts, crisps, toast and portions of fruit, in order to provide the children with vitamins.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have access to a secure outside play area and a selection of equipment that allows them to build their confidence as they practise climbing, swinging and balancing. They regularly visit parks with the childminder and they enjoy using balls and cricket bats to increase their physical skills and ability to participate in team games. Younger children and babies have access to toys that encourage walking and their fine motor development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminding environment is warm and welcoming. The children have space to play in the lounge, kitchen and dining area that is dedicated to the sole use of the children. The childminder takes some positive steps to ensure that her indoor premises are safe and well maintained. For example, she has a clearly written fire drill that she regularly practises with the children and she uses cupboard locks, safety gates and a fireguard to enable children to move around the home freely. The outdoor play area is secure, however, the large trampoline is not sufficiently stable and loose bricks are accessible to the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The range of toys and equipment that children use are accessible, and conform to safety standards. All of the resources are cleaned and safety checked weekly to ensure that they remain in a good state of repair.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the child protection procedures. She is able to identify some possible signs and indicators child abuse and neglect. As a result, she is prepared to contact the local investigating agencies to report any concerns that she has about the children in her care.

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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. The childminder creates a child centred environment for the children, they access an interesting range of resources that address many areas of their development and learning. For example, the children have access to role play equipment, dolls and tents to encourage them to play imaginatively, as they begin to make sense of the world around them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children access resources enthusiastically and they are confident to make choices and decisions. They demonstrate concentration skills as they spend time increasing their hand-eye coordination skills through drawing pictures and participating in threading activities. The childminder engages in the children's play and she is very friendly and warm. The children enjoy using the swing and seesaw outdoors, they join in with the childminder to sing familiar rhymes and songs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children and babies are secure with the childminder. She provides them with an interesting range of toys that are colourful and stimulating. For example, the children access sensory equipment, musical toys and equipment that is designed to increase their physical skills. The childminder talks to the children constantly and encourages them to communicate by forming words or through encouraging babies to make sounds and gestures. The children benefit from participating in many outings to the local library, pre-school groups and parks. As a result, they benefit from learning about the local environment and they enjoy socialising with other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides activities and play resources for the children that are not gender stereotyped. Likewise, she has some pieces of equipment such as small world toys and books that provide positive images of children from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Methods used for managing children's behaviour are age appropriate and the children are well behaved. The childminder encourages the children to demonstrate respect for each other and her home. She implements some simple house rules such as no climbing on the furniture and she remains consistent in her approach to managing behaviour. For example, she praises the children for their achievements and monitors them closely to enable her to diffuse any disagreements quickly and without upset.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder spends time with parents at the start of a placement to ensure that she gathers all of the relevant information that is required to meet children's individual needs. She asks parents about children's diets, health needs, routines or any specific religious requirements, as a result, she is well informed and able to provide a service that addresses the children's personal needs. Parents have access to a range of policies and procedures including a complaints procedure, although there is no system in place to maintain a complaints log. However, the children's personal details and written parental consent for activities such as swimming and emergency treatment or medical advice were unavailable on the day of inspection.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children's individual routines are accommodated within the secure premises. The childminder organises her time and resources appropriately to meet the varied needs, interests and ages of the children that she is caring for. She has not attended any training recently, although she has a valid first aid certificate, which allows her to act quickly to safeguard children in the event of an accident.

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Organisation

The childminder is required to keep a daily record of the names of children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance. At the inspection, these details where unavailable along with a number of written parental consents and some of the children's personal details, this is a breach of regulations. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a recommendation was raised to ensure that the first aid certificate is readily accessible on the premises and available for inspection. The childminder now displays her certificate and is available for inspection and for parents to view.

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Complaints 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 satisfactory. 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): • ensure that the garden and outside play equipment remain safe for the children's use • update the complaints procedure and maintain a complaints logs • ensure that documentation is stored securely and is ready for inspection at all times.

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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 set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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