Childminder in RotherhamOfsted inspection, 16 Apr 2012

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY435109 Inspection date 16/04/2012 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 September 2011. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and two-years in the Wickersley area of Rotherham. There are shops, parks, schools and public transport links in the local area. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. There are currently seven children on roll, of whom four are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and nurseries and attends 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make good progress because they are valued as individuals and are provided with a good range of activities which supports their learning and development needs well. They are cared for in a well-organised and child orientated home where they are kept safe and secure at all times. Effective partnerships with parents are a strength of the setting and contribute significantly to the childminder's sound knowledge of the individual needs of each child in her care. The childminder has started to evaluate her practice and she demonstrates a strong commitment to continually developing her provision and improving the outcomes for children. However, self-evaluation is still developing and there is room to improve some aspects of her documentation.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the system to monitor and evaluate the quality of the provision to lead to the identification of targets for further improvement across all aspects of the provision  enhance the detail gathered from parents with regard to children's educational starting points and use these as the basis for their ongoing development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are kept safe from harm or abuse because they are closely supervised by the childminder at all times. A detailed policy informs parents of the childminder's responsibility with regard to safeguarding, and she attends relevant training courses to keep her skills updated. Full risk assessments are carried out on all areas of the home, the garden and the visits undertaken, to further promote children's safety. Children are cared for in a clean and well-maintained environment. Toys and equipment are varied and of a good standard to promote their learning. The environment is inclusive, ensuring all children can access what they want in order to follow their particular interests. Children develop a sound understanding of diversity and difference, through the positive attitude of the childminder and the varied range of resources available. Attractive posters and some of the children's individual artwork is displayed on the walls, and this creates

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the early years provision

a warm and welcoming atmosphere that promotes children's sense of belonging.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment towards the continual improvement of her service. She is keen to update her knowledge and skills, through attending training courses and workshops in a range of relevant childcare and Early Years Foundation Stage subjects. The childminder meets with other local childminders and benefits from discussions and exchanges of ideas. She is also working with the local authority childcare coordinator to complete a quality improvement and support programme. As a result, the childminder is becoming increasingly confident in identifying most areas for further improvement. However, there is room to further development her self-evaluation systems to ensure these are fully effective.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely in partnership with parents to ensure the care given to the children is consistent and appropriate. Parents receive detailed information about her provision, including her policies and procedures. This enables them to be fully aware of the service she provides for their children. In addition the childminder gathers a good range of information about each child before they start to ensure she is aware of their individual welfare needs. Verbal feedback is given to parents to keep them well informed about how their child has spent their day. The childminder also provides parents with a written, daily care diary, which is used effectively by both parties. The childminder is clear about liaising with other settings providing for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage to promote continuity and consistency in learning, although this has not yet been necessary.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has created a homely, caring environment where children can play safely and happily. The childminder speaks to children in a calm, caring manner and is consistent in her approach. Children's behaviour is good and they respond well as the childminder reinforces appropriate boundaries and helps them to learn This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to share and play in harmony with their peers. The childminder continues to develop her systems for observing and monitoring the children's development. Each child has an individual learning journey which shows their progress through observations and photographs, and also identifies children's next steps and how these are linked to planned learning activities. However, the childminder is not currently obtaining children's educational starting points from their parents to use as a firm foundation to promote their ongoing learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides resources and activities each day which promote the all round development of the children and meet all areas of learning. She is very aware of the ages of the children and their individual learning styles. For example, as young children move from one activity to another, the childminder skilfully moves with them, supporting and challenging their play and thinking. Children enjoy pretend play, for example, pushing the dolls in their buggies and feeding them with bottles of milk and juice. Children's vocabulary and language skills are developed well as they play, because the childminder engages them in conversations and introduces new words. The childminder and children enjoy sitting together to look at picture books and she uses this opportunity to help children match words, sounds and pictures. The children enjoy exploring and investigating the full range of toys. They clap and smile when using activity

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and outcomes for children

centres; learning about cause and effect as they push the buttons and see the figures pop up.

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and outcomes for children

Children's physical development is supported very well. They have access to the childminder's well resourced safe and enclosed garden and indoors they enjoy rolling and chasing sensory balls around the play room. The childminder takes the children out in the community to soft play areas, the local park and many child- orientated groups. Children enjoy feeding the ducks and the childminder has plans to take them to visit the local woods. The childminder links children's physical development to their understanding of a healthy lifestyle. Children are currently involved in growing tomatoes, which they will pick and try together. All meals and snacks are provided by the childminder and include fresh fruit and vegetables. Healthy eating information is shared with parents, and they in turn ensure the childminder is fully aware of children's individual dietary requirements. Children are learning about the importance of good personal hygiene routines and they wash

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and outcomes for children

their hands before meals and after toileting and outdoor play. Children learn how to keep themselves safe through effective age appropriate discussions and daily routines. The childminder practises fire evacuation drills with the children and keeps a record of these. The childminder has very close and caring relationships with the children, enabling them to feel confident and settled in a safe and fun environment. 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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