Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 317796 Inspection date 21/03/2012 Inspector Kathryn Clayton

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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 1991. She lives with her husband and adult son in Cusworth, a large residential area in the borough of Doncaster. The whole of the premises is used for childminding. There is a secure garden available for outside play. The childminder holds a Level Four qualification in 'Children's Care Learning and Development'.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age range and one child overnight. She currently has seven children on roll, of whom four are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to take and collect children from the local school. The family have two cats and two dogs. 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 provides a stimulating and inclusive setting where children enjoy their time and make good progress. Most aspects of the learning provision are strong. Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded overall, although a legally required document is not in place. Effective evaluation procedures help to drive forward improvements and many positive changes have been made since the last inspection. Good relationships with parents and other providers successfully support children's well-being and learning.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 request written parental permission to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future(Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 04/04/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the ongoing observational assessments of children's progress to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensure that they cover each area of learning for every child over a period of time.

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the early years provision

The childminder has attended recent training in how to safeguard children and is alert to any signs that may cause her to be concerned. She has a clear procedure to follow should there be any concerns. The childminder has completed a thorough risk assessment of all areas of the home and undertakes daily safety checks before children arrive. She understands potential dangers and minimises them. For example, as there is an open staircase she is very vigilant about using safety gates when young children are present to deny them access to the hallway. Most of the required documentation is in place; however, the childminder has not requested written parental permission to the seeking of necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future. This is a breach of a legal requirement in relation to safeguarding children's welfare.

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the early years provision

The childminder has undertaken appropriate childcare and education qualifications to level four since the last inspection as she is keen to improve her service. The childminder considers the views of children and asks for feedback from parents when evaluating her provision. She has a good understanding of her strengths and areas for development and has made many improvements since the last inspection, including the development of the garden. It is fully paved with a good range of activities that promote all areas of learning and is now well-used by children in all weathers. Children freely choose where they would like to play and select from a good range of resources that are clearly labelled and readily available. Children start to learn about the importance of sustainability as they are involved in recycling materials such as card, plastic and paper.

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the early years provision

The childminder has effective settling in procedures which enable her to have a very good understanding of children's individual needs and starting points before they are enrolled. Babies and young children can attend twice a week with parents over several months so that the childminder becomes very familiar to them and they settle very easily. The childminder teaches children to be respectful to all people and kind to animals. Children learn about disability and to value difference through positive daily interactions with people and using books and puzzles. The childminder develops good relationships with parents. Information is shared in a number of ways, through written policies, daily discussions, a diary and written observations of children's progress. The childminder works very closely with parents to support children's learning and development. For example, parents are encouraged to promote their children's independence as the childminder does, by

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the early years provision

supporting children in putting on their own coat and shoes. The childminder has very good relationships with the local school and works closely in partnership with them by supporting and enhancing the work they do to benefit children's learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder and overall they make good progress in their development and learning. Children experience indoor and outdoor play both at home and away from home and so have a varied and interesting time. The childminder completes assessments of children and identifies the next steps in their learning which enables her to plan for their future progression. For some children not all areas of learning are considered over a period of time and this has some impact upon their progress. The childminder is very effective at extending children's learning as they play. An example is when children build a train track; they are encouraged to solve a problem of how to keep a bridge stable. The childminder also uses the opportunity to extend children's mathematical language and as a result during play young children use words like over, under, through and more than. The childminder takes children to the local

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and outcomes for children

library to foster their interest in books and stories. Children play matching letter games and start to recognise the letters in their names. They are very aware of numbers in the environment and count spontaneously. Children use a wide range of interactive toys and technological equipment, such as a computer with increasing skill. All of these measures help them to develop good skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children show good levels of concentration; they are interested, engaged and persist with activities because they are encouraged to make their own choices in play. The childminder creates a positive and calm atmosphere where children learn about acceptable behaviour. Methods such as distraction and discussion are used and good manners are promoted. This results in children behaving very well. The childminder provides a wide range of activities that help children to effectively explore their senses and creativity. These include using musical instruments, painting, collage, drawing, chalking and sand and water play. Children visit the local country park several times a week and the childminder uses these opportunities to help children engage with the natural world. They enjoy first hand experiences of the weather and seasons, for example, when walking on a snowy day.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit because they are very active during their time with the childminder. They regularly visit a local play centre and children's centre where they use bikes, slides, a climbing frame and a wide range of small equipment. There are also a good range of garden toys that effectively promote children's physical skills. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene routines. After using the toilet they know they have to use soap and water to remove germs. Meals and snacks provided are nutritious and so promote children's good health. Examples include snacks of fruit and meals of pasta, sauce and fresh vegetables. The childminder ensures drinks are readily available to children. Children start to learn about managing their own safety. The childminder involves them in the evacuation of the premises and teaches them about road safety rules. Supervision This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

of children is good and so they stay safe, but the childminder also gives children opportunities to explore and be independent. 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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