Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY332857 Inspection date 25/01/2011 Inspector Melanie Arnold

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The whole ground floor of the property is used for childminding, with bathroom facilities located in this area. The premises are accessible by two steps. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre- schools. The family has a dog, a hamster, a bearded dragon and a tank of fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, both attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are appropriately supported and valued, which ensures their individual needs are met. They make satisfactory progress in their learning and development as planning, observation and assessment systems have yet to be fully developed. The childminder implements mainly appropriate practices and procedures to protect children's health and safety. She works in partnership with parents and carers, but has yet to develop links with other providers to effectively promote continuity and coherence for every child. Although improvements have been made since the last inspection, the childminder has yet to develop a robust system of self-evaluation.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 maintain a record of risk assessment to identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and ensure it is reviewed at least once a year or more frequently where the need arises (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 25/02/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure relevant information is shared with other providers where the care of children is shared, to promote effective continuity and progression for these children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  make systematic observations and assessments of each child's achievements, interests and learning styles and use them to identify learning priorities and to plan motivating learning experiences for each child  develop a culture of reflective practice through self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

Children are happy as they play in a safe and secure home. The childminder uses the ground floor of her home for childminding and makes the best use of the space available, to ensure children's needs are met. For example, a suitable range of toys and resources are stored under the stairs, which enables children to select their own play materials. They then bring their chosen toys into the lounge where they can play in comfort. Children remain in the care of the childminder at all times, which protects them from potential harm. The childminder maintains a current first aid certificate, ensuring she can deal with emergency situations as they arise. Children are further protected through the childminder's satisfactory knowledge of child protection. The majority of records, documents and policies are in place and contain the required information and are used appropriately to promote children's welfare. However, although the childminder has taken relevant steps to minimise

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the early years provision

potential hazards, she has not maintained a record of these checks to fully ensure children's safety is not compromised.

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the early years provision

The childminder values and respects children in line with their individual abilities, backgrounds and beliefs. She promotes the inclusion of all children and challenges any form of discrimination. The childminder works in partnership with parents and carers, gathering appropriate information to ensure children's continued care and learning. Parents are kept appropriately informed of their children's daily activities and care, through written diaries and verbal communication. However, the childminder has yet to develop links with other providers to ensure the continual exchange of information. This will then enable the childminder to fully provide an integrated approach to children's care and learning. The childminder has made some improvements by working on the recommendations raised at the previous inspection. For example, the safeguarding children policy has been updated to reflect current guidance and children now have access to a suitable range of toys

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the early years provision

and resources reflecting positive images of diversity. Although the childminder strives to make continuous improvements for the benefit of children, she has yet to develop a thorough process of self-assessment, which will enable her to more clearly identify targets requiring further development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and confident because the caring nature of the childminder creates a warm and welcoming environment for them. Their needs are met because the home is clean and well maintained, with clear procedures in place to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 protect children's well-being. For example, children do not attend when they are ill, which helps to minimise the risk of the spread of infection. Children benefit from freshly prepared, home-cooked meals and snacks, which meet their dietary requirements. Regular physical exercise, further promotes children's health. Children's safety is protected because they are constantly supervised whether they are playing inside, or in the garden or on outings. Appropriate outings procedures are also in place to help safeguard children. Children's awareness of health and safety issues is well promoted through activities, discussions and play. For

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and outcomes for children

example, children learn about healthy eating as they plant and grow their own vegetables and they develop good hand washing and teeth cleaning practices as part of the daily routine. The importance of learning about road safety is continually reinforced with children during outings and through discussions they learn not to get too close to the water when they feed the ducks. Children's behaviour is predominantly good, with the childminder using appropriate behaviour management strategies to help children learn the difference between right from wrong. Children are encouraged to relate well to their peers and to play co- operatively together. Their awareness of wider society is satisfactorily promoted through their play and discussions.

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and outcomes for children

Children have fun as they participate in some suitable first-hand play experiences delivered through indoor and outdoor play. For example, trips to the train museum and the farm engage children's interest as they provide children with real life experiences. Although activities are planned around children's interest, they do not always provide sufficient challenge for children. This is because the childminder has yet to fully observe and assess children in relation to the early learning goals, to ensure motivating play experiences are identified and planned for every child. This results in children currently making satisfactory progress in their learning and development. Children show skill as they use a range of toys and resources that incorporate technology. They enjoy baking activities where they are encouraged to count and weigh the ingredients out. Children's creativity is also promoted when they decorate the cakes they have made. Their language skills are promoted as

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and outcomes for children

the childminder constantly communicates with children as they play. Children's awareness of letter sounds is beginning to be developed as the childminder uses alphabet cards during singing activities. Children enjoy regular opportunities to play outside where their all round development is satisfactorily promoted. For example, children's physical skills are promoted as they use a suitable range of outdoor play equipment; they explore their creativity as they blow bubbles and they have fun looking for birds when walking through the woods. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 develop a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) (Procedures for dealing with complaints). 25/02/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as identified in the compulsory part of the Childcare register (Procedures for dealing with complaints). 25/02/2011

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