Childminder in Rotherham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 501538 Inspection date 27/02/2012 Inspector Lindsay Dobson

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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 April 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and four years old in a semi-detached house in Brinsworth, Rotherham. The ground floor of the home is used for childminding purposes and consists of a lounge, dining room and kitchen. The bathroom is on the first floor and there is access to an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for five children under eight years. There are currently nine children on roll, of whom three are in the early years age range. The childminder takes the children to and from school and also uses local shops, parks and childcare groups.

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Description of the childminding

The family have a dog, a chinchilla, a rabbit and some fish.

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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 offers children a safe, secure environment in which to enjoy a good range of resources. They are confident, happy and are recognised as unique and their individual needs are met well. The planning of activities is flexible and follows children's current interests and supports them in their continued learning and development. Written policies and procedures are shared with parents and contribute to the smooth running of the childminding service. Some detailed information is gathered from the parents. However, not all information has been gathered to fully meet with all legal requirements. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards continuous improvement. However, she is in the early stages of completing her self-evaluation document to support her in this process.

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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 at the time of the child's admission to the provision, to the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 17/04/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 develop ways to reflect more actively on practice, in order to identify focused and well-targeted priorities for improvement  make use of regular sensitive observational assessment, in order to plan to meet young children's individual developmental needs across all areas of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of how to identify and deal with child protection concerns or allegations. She has attended training and has identified a refresher course to keep her knowledge up-to-date. Children are safe and secure through the childminder's close supervision and effective systems ensure that they can not be collected by anyone unauthorised. Children freely access the ground floor of the home, enabling them to play independently and resources are used well. Risk assessments are detailed and thorough, so that hazards are kept to a minimum, in the home, the garden and on outings. Children learn how to keep themselves safe through effective discussions and routines. The childminder practises fire evacuation drills with the children and keeps a detailed record of these.

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the early years provision

Documentation is well organised and shared with parents during initial settling visits. However, the childminder has not requested written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment should this become necessary. This is a breach of a specific legal requirement. The childminder has daily discussions with parents to enable them to be involved in their children's learning and to clearly understand what their children have done throughout the day. She is also developing new systems for sharing daily diaries and communication books. The childminder understands the need to develop links with others, who also have responsibility for the children to enhance opportunities for their welfare, learning and development, when this becomes necessary.

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the early years provision

The childminder has started to make use of the Ofsted self-evaluation form to help her to reflect on her service. She shows commitment to improving the quality of her practice, through attending training courses and liaising with the local authority development worker. However, not all of the systems in place are sufficiently robust to assist her in clearly targeting all areas for improvement. The childminder positively promotes equality and diversity with the children. She engages them in celebrating a range of festivals and provides them with free access to resources, which raises their knowledge and understanding of their local community and the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a homely, caring environment where children can play safely and happily. Children are able to make independent choices about, which activities they want to do and have access to a wide range of resources. The childminder is good at supporting the children, she gives equal time to all of them and offers reassurance to any that are feeling unsure. The childminder speaks to children in a calm caring manner and is consistent in her approach. The childminder is developing her systems for observing and monitoring the children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development well and has recently changed her processes to be in-line with local authority suggestions. She is using spontaneous and planned observations and supports these with photographs of the children engaged in activities. The childminder is able to discuss each child's stage of development, although she is

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and outcomes for children

not consistently using her assessments to ensure they inform future planning across all areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Overall, children are making good progress in all areas of their learning. The childminder supports their personal and emotional development well by meeting their individual needs. For example, they are able to sleep and rest when they need. The childminder sits with children as they play and encourages them to develop their skills. For example, younger children build towers with the soft bricks and stacking cups. The childminder vocalises mathematical language as the children play, naming shapes and encouraging them to count along with her, praising them as they copy her. Throughout the inspection, the children enjoy exploring the large toy boxes. They sit together examining the toys they pull from the box. Children enjoy using the musical instruments and laugh as they make sounds. The younger children enjoy playing with the activity toys and repeatedly press the buttons to make the lights flash and hear the noises. Creativity is

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and outcomes for children

promoted as children draw with crayons, use the doodle boards and enjoy sticking activities with the glue and glitter.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a range of opportunities outside the home, such as visiting local children's groups. They enjoy plenty of fresh air opportunities in the childminder's garden, using a range of outdoor equipment. Trips to places further away are well organised and assessed for any risks. Soft play areas enable children to develop their physical skills indoors. Children's good health is supported through effective policies, practices and personal hygiene routines. Children enjoy a good range of fresh fruit and healthy snacks. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure individual dietary needs are met. Children know the daily routines and the childminder shares house rules with them and their parents. Her positive and calm approach to the children promotes good behaviour. She is consistent and clear in her approach and encourages children to respect each other and share together. 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 3 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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