Childminder in Rotherham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY282677 Inspection date 28/02/2012 Inspector Angela Howard

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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 has been registered since 2004. She lives with her husband in Herringthorpe in the borough of Rotherham. The whole of the ground floor, plus bathroom facilities and one bedroom on the first floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed play area available for outdoor play. Care is offered Monday to Friday all year round, excluding bank holidays. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time when working alone or 10 children when working with an assistant and is currently minding six children in the early years age range. She also offers care to six children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has been awarded a quality qualification.

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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's sense of belonging is fostered very well through the warm, welcoming and homely atmosphere. Very effective partnerships with parents ensure that children settle well and allow the childminder to tailor activities to meet individual needs. The childminder reflects regularly on her practice to make ongoing improvements to enhance the outcomes for children. She recognises the importance of continuous improvement and the rigour at which it is undertaken is good.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the confidence and self-esteem of children having English as an additional language, in particular by providing notices and labels in the children's home languages  ensure observation and assessment records are kept up to date and use the children's next steps in learning rigorously to inform future planning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding children and is clear of her role and responsibilities to protect children. She has attended relevant training and has a well-written policy, which is shared with parents. She has the local safeguarding contact details available and knows what action to take if she had concerns about a child. The childminder demonstrates a good level of commitment to promoting children's safety. Full risk assessments and routine daily safety checks ensure that children are safe and secure within the setting. Carefully This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 considered risk assessments for all outings ensure safety when off the premises. There are robust systems in place to ensure people who have regular contact with the children are suitable to do so and these are fully implemented. Resources and space are used well to support children's learning and help to provide a stimulating

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the early years provision

environment for them to access a wide variety of activities independently. Outdoors is particularly well equipped and the good use of pipes, funnels, large tubes and wooden planks further enhance children's outdoor experiences. The childminder's positive approach to inclusion makes everyone feel valued and welcome in her home. Children are actively encouraged to talk about home and to share their cultural celebrations within her setting. This helps them to learn, appreciate and value each other's similarities and differences. Children with English as an additional language are welcomed and receive care consistent with their parents' wishes. However, children's own cultural language is not fully reflected within the environment.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive partnership with parents and their comments and feedback are welcomed, both verbally and through questionnaires. Comments from parents include that they are very happy with their child's care, they suggest no improvement can be made, information sharing is good and that she is a wonderful childminder. Each day, time is spent talking to parents to share information about their child's day. The childminder is keen to ensure that parents are valued, that they feel welcome and that they are fully consulted about their children's care and education. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment towards working in partnership with other providers and has some positive systems in place, to share information to help promote continuity of children's welfare and development. This results in seamless support for children's transition to other settings. There are good self-evaluation systems in place, which ensure

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the early years provision

that improvements have a positive impact on the experiences of the children. The childminder is very confident about what the setting needs to do to improve and is very receptive to the inspection process.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and relaxed in the childminder's warm and welcoming home. They enjoy taking part in the wide range of activities that she plans for them and are clearly forming strong attachments to both her and her assistant. They both play enthusiastically alongside the children but are sensitive and skilful enough to know when to step back and let them explore and discover for themselves. This ensures children make good progress in their learning. The childminder knows each child very well and ensures all children are able to have fun, join in and be challenged on daily basis. Therefore, children participate fully and their behaviour is overall good. The childminder plans activities, which are linked to children's current interests. However, observation and next steps records are not fully up to date. Past documentation shows that this was a robust system and informed planning well. For example, relevant observations for each child were

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and outcomes for children

recorded in individual learning journeys and clearly linked to the appropriate areas of learning. Children's communication skills are encouraged and supported well. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder listens attentively to the children, who freely chat to her. When playing, she uses simple sentences, repeats words and praises children's attempts at speech. The wide range of interesting and age-appropriate books fosters children's enthusiasm in exploring books for pleasure. They snuggle in and enthusiastically take part in story time re-enacting the story with puppets. Children thoroughly enjoy exploring different media, such as, sand, water, paint and play dough. They use their imagination well, which is supported with small world toys and a wide range of role play equipment. For example, a medical set, dolls, shopping baskets and pretend food used to play shop. Children concentrate for

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and outcomes for children

considerable periods of time, engrossed in playing with the electronic lap top. Children begin to learn about living things and the natural world around them. They study the birds in the garden, using binoculars and on visits to the woods they have seen a stoat and rabbits. They have recently planted flower seeds and bulbs and are learning how to nurture them. This maintains their enthusiasm and results in children being well equipped with the skills, in order to secure future learning. Consistent positive interaction enables the children to feel safe and helps them thrive and make good progress in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder strongly promotes healthy eating. Menus are carefully planned and prepared from fresh nutritious ingredients. Children help to prepare today's vegetable soup for lunch, peeling the mushrooms and scooping in the peas and sweetcorn. The childminder encourages children to enjoy the social aspect of snack and meal times and to try new tastes. For example, one child today is encouraged to try a banana. Children learn about healthy lifestyles and become independent in attending to their personal care needs from an early age. They enjoy playing in the well-equipped garden, where they develop their physical skills and coordination. The good use of the local woods further enhances these skills as they make dens from foliage and branches. Children learn effectively about what is dangerous and how to keep themselves safe. They practise crossing the road safely, fire evacuation procedures and help to tidy away toys to keep themselves

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and outcomes for children

safe. This ensures that children learn about their own capabilities and safe limitations. The children are well behaved and are beginning to show respect for each other and the adults who care for them. They show that they understand right from wrong and the childminder and her assistant are calm, patient and good role models for the children. 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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