Childminder in Rotherham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY393929 Inspection date 08/03/2011 Inspector Tracey Outram

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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 2009. She lives in Kimberworth, Rotherham, South Yorkshire. She lives with her partner and two children aged two and three- years. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding purposes. Children do not use the first floor unless they are accessing the bathroom. There is an enclosed outdoor play area. Schools, parks and shops are within walking distance of the premises. Care is offered Monday to Friday for 48 weeks of the year.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. The childminder may care for a maximum of four children at any one time. There are currently four children on roll, one of whom is in the early years age range. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and she works with development staff from the local authority.

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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 children's individual needs are effectively addressed by the sensitive and patient childminder. They benefit from a broad range off activities and resources that are successfully used to support them in becoming happy and confident learners. The childminder successfully engages with parents and regularly shares information about the children's progress and development. The childminder has a good capacity to improve and the process of self-evaluation has been efficiently used to identify areas for future development.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance planning for the outdoor play area and increase the range of activities to support mathematical development  develop partnerships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage that share the care of the children to provide consistent and complimentary planning for individual children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has clear policies, strategies and procedures in place to ensure that the welfare of children is prioritised. For example, all adults having unsupervised access to children are vetted and the childminder implements measures which ensure that any child welfare concerns are identified and promptly responded to. In addition, highly effective risk assessments are completed to eliminate dangers on the registered premises and during outings. As a result of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminders strong commitment to reducing hazards, the children remain safe and feel secure.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of each child's background and needs. She is eager to promote equality and this helps children to develop positive attitudes to people who are different to themselves. The home environment is comfortable and contributes to children achieving and enjoying their play. For example, they enjoy self-selecting resources and they freely choose whether to play indoors or outdoors. This illustrates to children that their opinions are valued and supports them to meet many of the planned goals in their personalised learning and development.

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the early years provision

A range of informative policies and procedures are in place, which underpin the daily operation of the setting. This helps create a shared understanding of the ethos of the setting and enhances parental engagement. In addition, the childminder is keen to ensure that parents inform her about their children s interests and routines as this helps her to meet their individual learning and development needs. In return, the childminder provides access to their children's development records and offers parents opportunities to contribute, thereby extending learning at home. The childminder understands the value of linking with other settings. Consequently, the she broadens the topics covered in theschool and nursery in order to help consolidate the children's learning. However, the systems are not sufficiently robust to ensure that there is consistent and complimentary planning for individual children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly committed to the development of her practice and has thoughtfully used the process of self-evaluation. This has enabled her to detect the strengths and weaknesses of the early years provision and accurately identify where improvements can be made to improve outcomes for individual children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses her good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework to provide a range of engaging activities that support the children to enjoy their learning. She makes comprehensive assessments of children's progress, which help ensure that suitable levels of stimulation are provided as the children work towards the Early Learning Goals.

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and outcomes for children

The children are active and inquisitive learners who thoroughly enjoy using the well equipped playroom that is conducive to learning. They develop good skills for the future as they explore with a range of programmable toys and participate in activities that support the development of their communication, language and literacy. For example, the children develop spoken language through sustained conversations with the childminder and other children. They describe what they see, ask significant questions and tap out the rhythms of familiar songs as they sing and play musical instruments. The childminder encourages the children to make connections in their learning and understand about different types of materials. For example, during activities the children are encouraged to explore the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 differences between cardboard and tin and investigate the reflective qualities of

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and outcomes for children

In addition, the children are provided with many opportunities and materials to use when writing and mark-marking in their play. For example, pens and pencils are provided for the children to use alongside small world equipment such as the farmyard. The children count and calculate during practical situations, such as finding out how many grapes are on the plate at snack time. This helps the children to gain confidence and competence in mathematics. However, a minor weakness of the setting is that the outdoor environment is not consistently used to help children discover things about shape, distance and measures, through their physical activity.

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and outcomes for children

Within the setting, effective policies, practices and personal hygiene routines support children's good health and help them learn how to ensure their own physical wellbeing. The children help themselves to snacks, confidently pour their own drinks and independently cut bananas into pieces. They understand the importance of hand-washing and eagerly participate in physical outdoor play on a daily basis. The children's motor skills are encouraged as they confidently steer, pedal and manoeuvre small wheeled toys and negotiate obstacles. As the children play outdoors and enjoy outings they are encouraged to take care and follow the safety rules which are discussed and negotiated. Overall, the children are happy, settled and very well behaved because the childminder provides a warm and caring environment, which fosters their sense of security and confidence. 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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