Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY410429 Inspection date 28/10/2010 Inspector Helen Blackburn

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2010. She lives with her partner and son aged 18 months in the Balby area of Doncaster. There are parks, schools, shops and public transport links in the local area. The whole of the childminder's home, with exception of the bedrooms, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder keeps fish as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and she can care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than two of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in the early years age group. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently minding one child in this age group. The childminder is also registered to work with an assistant.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and nurseries and she goes to several toddler groups regularly. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children well, she has good relationships with them and she effectively meets their individual needs. The children have good opportunities to be independent, they behave well and they access an environment that positively promotes diversity and difference. Overall, effective organisation of most documentation, policies and procedures contribute to the safe and efficient management of the setting. Relationships with parents are good and developing with other settings involved in children's learning. The children are happy and settled and they access a good range of activities across all areas of learning. The childminder's commitment to promoting continual improvement is good and she is beginning to use self-evaluation to support her in this.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 review parental consent for administrating pain and fever relief to ensure it clearly reflects the practice implemented  develop self-evaluation and internal review processes to set clear and focused priorities for improvement  develop relationships with other settings to promote continuity and coherence in children's learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has good arrangements in place to promote and safeguard children's welfare. She understands her responsibilities in protecting children from harm because she knows how to report and monitor any concerns. The childminder supervises and records all visitors to the home and she ensures all adults living or working on the premises have undergone appropriate checks. This contributes to the childminder keeping children safe. In addition, she carries out inductions and appraisals with the assistant she employs to ensure she is fully aware of her responsibilities. The learning environment for children is safe because the childminder carries out risk assessments of her home and outings. This means she puts in place effective measures to minimise identified risks, contributing to reducing accidents. The childminder maintains a good range of documentation, policies and procedures. She organises these very well and overall, they contribute

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the early years provision

to the safe and efficient management of the setting. Documentation includes a number of written parental consents. However, the consent to administer pain and fever relief to children in emergencies does not reflect the procedure the childminder actually implements.

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the early years provision

The childminder's commitment to her professional development is good. Through accessing further training she is striving towards improving her skills and qualifications. The childminder has some systems in place that support her in monitoring and evaluating her service. For example, through evaluating children's activities, she effectively makes changes to promote their future learning and progression. She is beginning to use self-evaluation and she welcomes any feedback from parents, children and other professionals in this process. However, how she brings together the feedback from others and her own ideas to identify targeted priorities for improvements is still developing.

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the early years provision

Relationships between the parents and childminder are good. They work well together, sharing and exchanging relevant information on a regular basis. This promotes continuity for children and ensures their individual needs are met. Parents receive good quality information about the service and their child's day through discussions, daily diaries and written policies and procedures. The childminder encourages parents to be involved in their child's learning and progression. For example, she shares with them her observations and children's progress records on a regular basis. Parental feedback regarding the service is positive, especially about the activities provided and how settled and happy their children are. The childminder understands the importance of working with other settings, such as, school and nursery to promote continuity and coherence in children's learning. However, information sharing and relationships with other

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the early years provision

settings are still developing. If children need additional support and help the childminder recognises the necessity to work with other professionals, external agencies and parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

There are effective arrangements in place to promote children's health and to minimise the risk of illness and infection. For example, the learning environment for children is clean and well maintained. In addition, the childminder has clear policies in place regarding to caring for ill children and she adopts good food hygiene procedures. This minimises the risk of spreading infection and cross- contamination. Through everyday routines, such as, hand washing, the children are learning about the importance of good personal hygiene practices. The children are provided with a good range of healthy, nutritious and varied meals and snacks. This includes the children eating some foods they have grown in the garden. This helps children to learn about the benefits of making healthy choices. The children have good opportunities to be active and this supports their healthy growth and physical development. For example, they regularly go on walks, visit the park and

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and outcomes for children

play in the garden. Through activities, such as, chalking and exploring different textures like cornflour, sand and dough the children are encouraged to roll, prod, stretch and make marks. This supports the development of children's dexterity skills.

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and outcomes for children

There are good relationships between the childminder and children. The children are cared for in a welcoming environment that provides routine and security. This results in children being happy and settled and contributes to them feeling safe. The children have a good understanding of how they can keep themselves safe. For example, they take part in fire evacuation practices. The deployment of resources is good. For example, the childminder works well with her assistant to ensure the day runs smoothly for children. She also makes good use of facilities within the community to extend children's experiences. In addition, through effective organisation of resources, the children are able to make safe and independent choices in their play. This contributes to children having a positive and enthusiastic approach to their learning. For instance, children positively interact with the childminder when listening to stories, they laugh with pleasure

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and outcomes for children

when exploring the cornflour, they learn about simple number concepts through fun rhymes and songs and they express their imagination and creativity through arts and crafts. The childminder has a good understanding of the principles of observation, planning and assessment. This includes her understanding the role she plays in supporting and challenging children's learning. Therefore, she is actively involved in their play and through her positive interactions she encourages children to be active learners. This results in children making good progress in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder manages children's behaviour well. She has established familiar routines and boundaries so that children know what is expected of them. For instance, through simple explanations, the children are learning about sharing and taking turns. The childminder makes good use of praise to celebrate children's achievements. This contributes to children having good self-esteem. The children are developing a good understanding of diversity and difference. This is because the learning environment provides a good range of activities and experiences that help children to develop a positive and respectful attitude to all people in society. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The children have a good sense of belonging within the home. For example, they went with the childminder to buy the family fish, the children named it together and they all take part in caring for it.

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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