Childminder, Out-of school day care in Rotherham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 303100 Inspection date 17/02/2011 Inspector Dianne Andrews

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and six years. They live in South Anston, a large residential area in the borough of Rotherham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, plus toilet facilities and one bedroom on the first floor of the premises. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder walks to take and collect children from the local school.

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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. She also cares for children aged over eight years. There are presently six children on roll, two of whom are in the early years age group. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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 is well organised in the majority of areas, provides a stimulating environment and has a good knowledge of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are helped to make good progress because they feel safe, secure and included. The childminder gathers a range of information from parents to ensure that she understands their children's individual care needs, but opportunities for parents to be involved in their children's learning are more limited. The childminder has enthusiasm and a good capacity to continuously improve. She makes effective use of training, advice and her childcare experience and is developing her systems to evaluate and support the service provided.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the risk assessment to ensure that it covers anything with which a child may come into contact  develop relationships to promote continuity and progression, both with practitioners to complement the care and education the child receives in other settings, and with parents by sharing information and offering support for extending learning in the home.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her role regarding the safeguarding of children. She has attended relevant training and her knowledge and procedures This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with regard to safeguarding reflect the welfare requirements. She ensures parents and carers are also appropriately informed through the written safeguarding policy, which is shared with them. Adults in the household are known to Ofsted to enable suitability checks to be carried out. Most systems support children's care and well- being. Consent forms are completed to confirm parents' agreement to emergency medical care or advice and outings and daily registers of children's attendance are accurately maintained. The childminder talks to parents about contact and parental responsibility, so that she is aware of all the information she needs to protect children, although she has not recorded this information.

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the early years provision

The childminder is vigilant and places high priority on children's safety. Risk assessments have been completed to show how most identified risks, in the home and on outings, have been minimised. She recognises the need to review children's safety when circumstances change, such as when the route they take to school is affected by roadworks. However, the written record does not cover everything that children may come into contact with, in order to demonstrate how their safety is fully promoted in all areas.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is effectively organised, very comfortable, spacious and child-friendly. Children confidently move around the premises, making choices about their play. They access the wide range of suitable and age-appropriate resources within the play area. These encourage play and learning in all areas of the early learning goals. There is a varied range of books and play equipment freely available to the children, which reflect positive images of a diverse society. These help children to begin to understand and value similarities and differences.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has developed systems to support the delivery of the education programme and children's progress and continues to review these to promote the best outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Children are cared for on a part-time basis. Their welfare and learning are appropriately supported by the childminder's operational policies and procedures, which she has developed to guide her practice. The policies are shared with parents to help them understand the care provided, thus establishing secure working relationships. Information, to reassure parents about their children's care and the activities they have been involved in, is shared with them through daily verbal dialogue as the childminder meets them at the end of the school day. Parents have few opportunities to review and contribute to their children's learning profiles as they rarely go to the childminder's home. The childminder understands the need to develop partnerships with other care providers, in the event that a child attends an additional setting. However, these are not fully in place to promote consistency in the delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage for

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the early years provision

children who have recently started nursery sessions at the local school.

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the early years provision

The childminder is an experienced childcarer. She accesses opportunities to develop her knowledge through training, and acts on advice from other childcare professionals. She has begun to consider ways to improve and develop her service and to make effective use of the self-assessment document, although parents have not contributed to the evaluation process. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The children are content, relaxed and secure. They develop very positive relationships with the childminder, who is attentive and shows that she knows them and their families well. She supports their learning, through her friendly and lively approach as she joins in their play and by initiating activities which follow their interests. The enabling environment is rich in signs, pictures and notices prepared by the children and is well resourced with toys and learning experiences, which children are keen to explore.

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and outcomes for children

Children relish the opportunity to play imaginatively with the dolls and accessories. They learn how to care for them and respond to the 'real life' noises the doll makes. They feed their babies with milk and discover which foods are most suitable for them. They choose from the items provided in the shopping basket by the childminder, referring to books to support their choices. They have opportunities to use writing materials, for instance, to make lists or notes in all areas of the provision. They use mathematical language and concepts in their play, for example finding a large enough blanket to wrap the sleeping baby in, offering two spoons of medicine for their sick child and counting the clicks as they take up to 18 photographs on the toy mobile phone's camera.

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and outcomes for children

Children play cooperatively with their peers, learning to share and to value and respect others. They willingly negotiate how their imaginative play progresses and demonstrate well-developed social skills, choosing their playmate as their best friend. They behave well, recognising boundaries and responding to expectations. Their good behaviour is promoted through praise and encouragement.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder recognises the benefits of observing their play and allowing them to communicate and build on their own ideas without interruption. As a result, the children are very competent and confident communicators. She skilfully intervenes appropriately, when required, to help move children's learning on, for instance by offering suggestions to encourage their critical thinking and to help them make connections in their experiences. As a consequence, they become active and inquisitive learners and develop skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children are kept healthy as they follow appropriate hygiene routines, washing their hands after visting the toilet and learning the reason why the routine is in place. They have nutritious meals and snacks, usually prepared for them by their parents, which they share together after their nursery session. They are offered regular access to drinks to ensure they are well hydrated. Children enjoy the benefits of fresh air and physical exercise as they walk home from school each day and play outdoors in the garden or at the park. They are keen to develop their physical skills and proudly explain that they are able to hop, skip and jump.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a good understanding of personal safety, as they learn about road safety and practise emergency evacuation procedures. Safety messages are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 reiterated by the childminder's husband in his role as a Police Community Support Officer, providing a positive image for the children of 'people who help us.' 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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