Childminder in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY367045 Inspection date 16/02/2011 Inspector Kath Harding

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and daughter in Sheffield. The whole of the property is used for childminding. 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 pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time. She also offers care to children aged over five years to eight 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of their individual needs and actively promotes an inclusive environment where children begin to develop an awareness of diversity. She has good relationships with parents and has strong links with other local providers. The childminder has a positive attitude to improvement. However, there are some minor weaknesses in systems that support the good practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the systems to record the details of arrival and departure times of visitors are in place  review the risk assessment to include minimising the risk of cross-infection, with regards to hand washing procedures.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and has attended relevant training. She closely supervises the children in her care and knows of her responsibility to ensure everyone in the house is suitably checked. However, there is no system in place to record visitor's times of arrival and departure. The childminder is vigilant and places high priority on children's safety. Risk assessments are in place for the childminder's home, garden, separate activities and outings. These are conducted biannually and ensure that any identified risks are swiftly dealt with.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and successfully implements this to promote good outcomes for children. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 undertakes regular detailed observations and assessments and links these into planning for individual children's next steps to ensure progression. The children's development record books contain photographs, observations and art work and show how children make good progress in relation to their starting points. She has a dedicated playroom for the children. She creates a warm, welcoming environment where, children's art work is displayed and toys are accessible for children, helping to promote their independence.

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the early years provision

Links with other providers ensure a consistent approach is achieved to promote children's ongoing learning and development. The childminder demonstrates a good commitment to continuous improvement as she reflects on how to improve her service. She obtains advice from other practitioners and development workers, to help improve her practice.

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the early years provision

The children enjoy continuity of care because the childminder works closely with parents and offers them questionnaires so they can make comments on the service provided. She provides parents with a daily diary so they know all about their child's day. She encourages them to view the children's record books and offers advice regarding activities to try at home. The childminder's policies and procedures which underpin the service offered are given to all parents and they are requested to sign to state that they agree with these. Parental comments on the service provided include 'We find the childminder to be very precise when it comes to informing us of anything affecting our children's well-being whilst in her care. Her punctuality is second to none and all paperwork is delivered to us. To say our children enjoy coming to the childminders is an understatement indeed trying to remove them from her home can be quite a task as they are so content there'.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very settled, happy and confident in the childminder's suitably organised home. The childminder places high priority on children learning about safety as they are given safe boundaries when out walking and are reminded about the steps when playing in the garden. The children practise fire drills so they know how to get out of the house in an emergency. Children go for walks in the local area, play at the park and at the soft play area so they get plenty of fresh air and regular exercise. They access a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities such as climbing frames, slides, rockers and wheel barrows to help develop their physical skills. They develop a good understanding of the importance of healthy eating as they make lists for the supermarket and shop for healthy snacks. They are also involved in the preparation of foods such as pizzas becoming aware of nutritious toppings. Meals and snacks are readily adapted to meet individual

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and outcomes for children

dietary requirements. As they wash their hands they use the same hand towel, so posing a possible risk of cross-infection.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder interacts well with children during their play and constantly chatters to them, listens to them and extends their learning by asking open-ended questions. She uses lots of praise and encouragement with the children, so enhancing their self-confidence and self-esteem. As children pick up the duck the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder encourages the children to repeat singular words to help develop communication skills. The children busily explore in the treasure baskets containing natural materials and in the hair dressing box. Children confidently brush the childminder's hair and clean the doll's teeth with the toothbrush. As children find the toy bath they are encouraged to put the doll in the bath and wash her, so re- enacting familiar roles. As they go upstairs to have their nappy changed they say 'bye bye' and start to sing nursery rhymes such as 'Twinkle Twinkle'. The

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and outcomes for children

childminder talks about colours as she asks the children what colour chair they would like to sit on. As children hear the birds in the garden they excitedly run to the window so they can see. They plant potatoes, strawberries, and sunflowers watch them grow and tend to these learning to care for living things. As they grow beans in jars they observe and investigate the roots and shoots. They push the doll in the pram around the indoor area ensuring a clear pathway through and roll the marbles down the tubes, helping to develop their hand-eye coordination skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave very well. The childminder interacts very calmly with the children and role models respectful methods of communication as good manners are used and encouraged. They learn to value others as they have a range of toys which help them to begin to understand about the wider world. They look at different festivals such as Divali and Chinese New Year and taste foods linked in with the festival, dress up in traditional costumes and make dragons. They regularly visit Chatsworth House, the library, museum and toddler sessions, becoming aware of their local area. 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 2 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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