Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY245916 Inspection date 20 March 2006 Inspector Sandra Jean Russell

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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 December 2002. She lives with her partner and two children aged 2 and 12 years. The home is situated in the village of Moorends, near Doncaster. Minded children have access to the ground floor of the premises. There is a small enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for four children under the age of 8 years. There are currently three children on roll. She is a member of the National Childminding

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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 Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in an environment that is clean and well maintained. They stay healthy because they are encouraged to follow good hygiene procedures such as hand washing after toileting and before eating. The childminder ensures that the sand pit is covered when not in use and immediately removes food that children drop on the floor. The children enjoy regular opportunities to engage in physical activities that help to develop their skills and promote their physical well-being as they walk to and from school, visit parks and play centres. Although garden play is not encouraged during winter months, there are opportunities for the children to play with wheeled toys, balls, a swing and skipping ropes, when the weather is fine. Indoor activities include movement to action rhymes, which develop children's spatial and physical awareness. The children are sufficiently well nourished as they are encouraged to eat fruit

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Helping children to be healthy

snacks. Sample menus provide evidence that main meals include chicken, fish, quiche, vegetables and milk puddings. All dietary needs are addressed as the childminder discusses, records and respects any requests made by the parents. The children begin to learn about healthy living through the use of computer aided activities and discussions about what they are eating and why.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in an environment that is safe. The well implemented policies and procedures ensure that the childminder identifies and minimises risks to ensure the children's safety. For example, a fire guard and safety gates are in use. Locks are in place on cupboards that contain hazardous substances and the premises are secure. The childminder discourages the children from running around the home, particularly when carrying items, such as chopsticks, patiently giving explanations of why it is not safe to do so. However, although an emergency evacuation procedure is in place, it is not practiced regularly with the children. Toys and equipment are suitable and safe. They are appropriate to the ages of the children attending and easily accessible to them from floor height storage and child height shelves. The selection of toys is rotated from items stored upstairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

On outings, the children are kept safe through the use of reins and wrist straps where appropriate. Older children are encouraged to hold hands or hold on to the handle of the pushchair. They learn to keep themselves safe as they practice the green cross code.

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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 The children benefit from the childminder's up to date understanding of first aid practice and their welfare is safeguarded by her awareness of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are happy and settled in an environment that is welcoming to children. They play happily, freely selecting their resources and relating well to each other and the childminder. They show sustained interest in what they do as they play happily with Chinese cooking implements and 'ingredients', discussing their likes and dislikes and practicing using chopsticks. They join in enthusiastically with a new game, matching sounds to pictures and later interact with an action rhyme DVD. The children acquire new knowledge and skills through their access to a wide range of interesting activities, such as a Balamory play house, role play equipment and dressing up clothes, art and craft materials, musical toys, a computer, construction, box games, books and puzzles. Occasional activities, such as egg painting, baking, visits to play centres, the library, seaside and the zoo, help to ensure that their visits

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to the childminder are fun experiences. The children's individual needs are met as the childminder ensures that the resources are age appropriate. She works closely with parents to ensure that care routines are appropriate to the individual child and she records and respects relevant information.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are cared for by a childminder who works closely with parents, to ensure that the individual needs of the children are met. She provides good quality information about the setting and regular newsletters help to keep parents informed of new resources and activities that the children experience. A daily diary shared with parents, as well as regular verbal exchanges ensures that they are kept up to date with their children's progress. The childminder's positive attitude to the inclusion of children of all abilities, ensures that they are welcomed into the setting and that all resources are made accessible to them. Children settle well and enjoy their games. They move confidently around the setting demonstrating independence. They begin to understand responsible behaviour as they share and take turns, this is demonstrated as they play an interactive Bingo game. Although some disagreements arise, these are quickly diffused by the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder's patient explanations, to which the children listen and respond. The children become actively aware of a wider society through their ready access to resources, such as Chinese cooking implements and play foods, dolls, books and

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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 dressing up clothes. Non- stereotypical play is positively encouraged. Computer programmes are used effectively to encourage children to acknowledge and respect a diverse community.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder demonstrates a high regard for the well-being of children. This is shown by her provision of good quality play and learning resources. The environment is welcoming to children and organised to allow them maximum movement and access to resources. The children are settled, at ease and demonstrate confidence and independence as they move around the setting. The children benefit from the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of child development. Her commitment to attending ongoing training and workshops, ensures that she is up to date on current ideas and thinking. All required documentation is readily available and in order, although the childminder's understanding of how to record complaints is limited. The clear, concise policies and procedures work in practice to promote the welfare of the children in her care. The needs of the children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure the safety of children in the home, by fitting socket covers and making wiring in the ground floor toilet inaccessible to children. She also agreed to improve details contained in the written agreement with parents; all safety issues have been addressed and parents receive copies of details of activities provided with their written agreement, as well as regular updates regarding new resources in a newsletter.

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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

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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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 emergency evacuation procedure is practised regularly with the children • ensure that the existing system for recording complaints conforms with Ofsted requirements.

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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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