Childminder in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY319467 Inspection date 11/05/2011 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and two years in the Meadowhead area of Sheffield. There are shops, parks, schools and public transport links in the local area. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom of the childminder's home are used for childminding. Access to the home is via a number of steps. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder has two 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 four children under eight years at any one time, no more than two of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in the early years age range. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. She is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently minding two children in this age range.

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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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has excellent relationships with children and parents. A wide range of documentation, policies and procedures contribute to the safe and efficient management of the setting. The childminder provides a safe and fun learning environment where she effectively supports individual children's progression. Children experience an environment where positive behaviour, independence, diversity and difference are encouraged very well. The childminder's ambition and drive in promoting high standards is excellent. Through a number of quality improvement processes, she sets clear and achievable goals to secure improvement.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 improve the organisation of data within the risk assessment record and update information for parents so that they are aware of the detailed procedure in place for dealing with allegations against household members. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The arrangements for safeguarding and promoting children's welfare and well- being are excellent. The childminder has a very good understanding of child protection issues because she regularly accesses safeguarding training. In addition, she has comprehensive information regarding her roles and responsibilities in protecting children from harm. This means she is knowledgeable of signs of abuse and neglect and ensures she acts accordingly if she has concerns. This comprehensive information includes how she deals with allegations against herself or others, although she is still to share this new information with parents. The childminder ensures all adults living on the premises have undergone appropriate checks. In addition, she effectively supervises any visitors to the home. This ensures children's welfare is paramount. The childminder maintains a wide range of documentation, policies and procedures. These effectively promote the safe and

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the early years provision

efficient management of the setting. However, although she maintains a risk assessment record that includes all mandatory information, how she identifies the date of review is not as proficient as other record keeping. The childminder keeps children safe and maintains her home, resources and equipment to high standards of cleanliness and safety. For example, her risk assessments take into account individual children and she reviews these as the needs of the children change. The childminder is very organised and she manages her time extremely well to ensure she incorporates all children's individual routines into the day.

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the early years provision

The childminder's commitment towards promoting high standards of care for children is excellent. Through a number of effective quality improvement processes, such as self-evaluation and reflective practice, she successfully evaluates and monitors her service. This supports her in setting well-targeted goals to bring about sustained improvement. For example, her improvement plans include her extending the range of vegetables children grow in the garden. She accesses a wide range of training courses and she uses ideas gained to improve outcomes for children. For example, following training, the childminder has devised a photograph booklet of her home, resources and family members, which new children take home. This supports the transition between home and the setting. In addition, she makes excellent use of research, the internet, early years publications and articles to keep up-to-date with current practice and ideas. The childminder's

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the early years provision

self-evaluation processes are inclusive, for example, through discussions, training and questionnaires she actively seeks the views of parents, children and other professionals.

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the early years provision

Relationships between the childminder and parents are excellent. Through effective communication and information sharing children receive continuity in their care and learning. Parents receive a wide range of good quality information, policies and procedures about the service, their child's day and general childcare issues. Parents regularly take home their child's comprehensive observation and progress records and they actively share their observations of children's experiences at home. In addition, the childminder gathers detailed information about the children when they start so that she has an in-depth knowledge of their starting points. This includes offering home visits if parents wish, as part of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 settling procedure. The childminder fully understands the importance of working with other professionals and external agencies. She has developed good links with

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the early years provision

the local nursery regarding sharing relevant information about the children. In addition, if she had any children who needed additional help or support she would endeavor to liaise with the relevant agencies.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes children's welfare and well-being very well. For example, through effective illness management procedures, such as keeping ill children at home and robust cleaning routines, she minimises illness and infection. Through everyday routines and discussions, children of all ages are developing an excellent understanding of effective personal hygiene practices. The childminder offers children a wide range of healthy snacks and provides comprehensive information for parents regarding healthy lunch boxes. In addition, children enjoy making posters of what helps them to grow healthy and strong. The children have very good opportunities to be active and to exercise. For example, they go on daily walks and outings and they enjoy playing in the garden. Babies and young children are very active; they enjoy climbing and crawling in the garden and manipulate a wide range of different objects and media, such as sand and natural resources,

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and outcomes for children

which supports their physical development, coordination and dexterity skills.

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and outcomes for children

There are excellent relationships between the childminder and children and she knows them very well. This results in the children being extremely happy and settled in her care, which means they feel safe and secure. The childminder ensures children develop a very good understanding of ways in which they can keep themselves safe. For example, she allows young children to explore their environment and take risks by explaining safe ways to tackle challenges, such as explaining how to manage the steps in the garden. The children are independent learners because the childminder effectively organises her home, space and resources so children can make their own choices and decisions. In addition, young children and babies are given the time and space to complete tasks, such as feeding themselves. This supports them in developing their self-care skills. The childminder has an excellent understanding of observation, planning and

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and outcomes for children

assessment. She maintains comprehensive observation, planning and progress records, which means she supports children in making exceptional progress in their learning. The children are enthusiastic and motivated learners because they experience a stimulating environment that provides activities across all areas of learning. For example, children use their imagination and creativity as they explore musical instruments, engage in role play activities and experience a wide range of arts and crafts. The children's mathematical concepts are developing very well. For instance, young children learn about number through rhymes and songs. In addition, through activities such as posting toys into boxes and stacking towers in order of size, children develop the skills to solve simple problems. The children are curious and inquisitive learners. For example, young children show great interest in the flowers in the garden, excitedly touching and smelling them. In addition, older

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and outcomes for children

children have made posters of the animals they enjoy looking for in the garden. The childminder interacts very well with the children and she is actively involved in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their play. This contributes to her effectively supporting their progress.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children very well in becoming well behaved and polite. Through everyday routines, she provides consistent boundaries and she reinforces the importance of sharing and taking turns. This supports children in having positive and cooperative relationships with their peers. The childminder uses praise extremely well to celebrate children's achievements and this contributes to them having high self-esteem. In addition, children make memory boxes, which include items they have made, photographs, achievements and other memorabilia that they enjoy looking at with the childminder. This provides children with a sense of belonging and a positive self-image. All children are valued and they experience a wide range of activities that help them to learn about diversity and difference. This means children are developing a positive and respectful attitude towards all people in society. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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